Grand Canyon

[wileywiley]

Dear Pilots, We are planning a trip to fly from Salt Lake City to Grand Canyon in a Cessna 182. (We are both IFR SE pilots). Any thoughts on a good itinerary or flight plan to get the most out of this phenomenal opportunity? We are planning on taking a mini-mountain flying course once we arrive to SLC within the next three weeks and then will rent a C-182 out of SLC for our adventure to the Grand Canyon and environs. Any thoughts on sights, airports, flight routes, etc? Best to all, MP

[SNS3Guppy]

I spent two years working and flying in the Grand Canyon, including a lot of landings down inside the canyon at dirt airstrips in box canyons and the like. Places you can't go any more.

The grand canyon has it's own special flight regulations. You'll need a Grand Canyon SFAR chart. One side of the chart provides information for tour operators, the other side for those wishing to transit the airspace.

I always strongly recommend that those intending to fly there for the first time arrange to do so with a pilot in the other seat who is very familiar with the airspace. There's no radar control over the canyon; it's all broadcasts in the blind on sector frequencies, and it's all done based on your ability to recognize each visual waypoint in the canyon and know exactly where you are. Being able to identify the one you're over isn't enough; in order to use the broadcasts of other pilots in the canyon, you need to immediately recognize the waypoint they're over and mentally keep track of the traffic positioning by knowing where all the waypoints are.

You can get away with cutting through one of the corridors in the no fly zone on your way to the south, but you stand a risk of running into other aircraft. Some of the routes are among the busiest in the country, and South Rim (Grand Canyon airport) can at times be one of the single busiest runways in the country, too. I've seen traffic there occupying both left and right downwind patterns at the same time, but not only that, an inner and outer left and right downwind to the same runway, but inner and outer left and right downwinds, and uppper and lower left and right downwinds, as well as helicopter patterns...all to the same runway, all without radar control, all aproaching the runway from visual points being called out by memory.

Sometimes it's very quiet, but not always. A great deal of traffic passes between Las Vegas and the Canyon, as well as Page, AZ, and out of South Rim itself. Additional traffic comes out of Flagstaff, as well as Los Angeles (Burbank, etc). Additional traffic is providing park services, fire protection, rescue, and other duties throughout the canyon, to say nothing of the private traffic that comes and goes. I've seen military traffic show up over, and inside the canyon on many occasions, ranging from B-52's to helicopters. Just north of the Canyon a frequently used oil burner route has non-reporting military traffic transiting the area all the time. A big "heads up" and "be careful" bears repeating over and over.

The canyon area is a beautiful place. Nearby are also Zion and Bryce canyons, both National Parks, both with noise sensitive areas, and sights that can easily distract you from looking for traffic. You need to remember when you're flying these places that while your passengers have the luxury of enjoying the sights, your primary duty remains to look for other traffic. The grand scale of the place tends to minimize traffic; you think you're looking at an object 30 miles away and it's a hundred. Traffic disappears, blends in. Your focus is drawn to the big picture instead of the little airplanes.

Even if you don't carry another pilot with you (I recommend you do), stop in Page or Kanab and get a briefing on the canyon before you go. Get someone to go over the chart with you.

Flying in the Canyon isn't rocket science, but it does require some forethought and preparation. Bear in mind that as summer approaches, density altitudes begin to climb, and many of the airports you'll be using down there will have density altitudes in excess of ten thousand feet. Something to keep in mind, especially when you're planning takeoff and landing performance. Bear in mind that there are remote places on your route from SLC down to the Grand Canyon, and a lot of places for an airplane to disappear. Airports are few, and far between, radar coverage scant, communications often not available at lower altitudes (that being altitudes less than about 12,000' feet in many places).

Weather can change there quickly. Mountainous terrain tends to produce it's own weather, modify it's own weather. The west end of the Grand Canyon along the Grand Wash Cliffs tends to create lines of weather or storms that are unforecast and unpredictable at times. I've seen it go from sunny to hail to snow to fog to rain to snow again in a short period; I've been trapped in the canyon and covered in snow before...on runways that quickly turned t a foot of mud and no way to leave. Chances are for the trip you're planning, this won't be an issue, but always be prepared to stop and sit weather out. Don't even think about risking flight near some of the thunderstorms that can develop there. I've seen twisters out across the arizona strip. I've seen storms that poured into the canyon with water coming right back out again with the airflow. There's significant enough updraft frquently in some places that you can glide it at idle and climb, and places where you can't hold altitude with full power. As it heats up and the wind blows, turbulence can be severe. I've seen 18 airsick bags filled in a single engine Cessna, on a single trip...keep that in mind when you plan your meals and your flight, and shoot for morning or evening flights for the best time of day. Morning will be the least chance of storms. It is the monsoon season coming, so plan for that, too.

The canyon is beautiful from the air. I never grew tired of seeing it, living in it, or being a part of it. It's more beautiful from the ground. Fly to South Rim, spend the time visiting the edge. Plan an extra day and hike part of the Bright Angel trail, if you can. Take a donkey ride. Sample what South Rim Villiage has to offer. Fly down to Valle and visit the air museum. Take the train to Williams and back. Or start at Williams (plan ahead for that runway too; it can eat your lunch). If you can do it, find a way to get to North Rim. You'll need a car and a full day, but I think it's worth the trip. Much cooler, much higher, much more forrested, less tourists.

Enjoy your trip. Don't forget to take a jacket, no matter how warm you think it's going to be.

[notlikethat]

I flew 182 from Grand Junction CO to Laughlin NV a few years ago. Was advised not to overfly Canyon so routed to south. Was very turbulent over desert but a great trip and paid for the trip from winnings at the casino.

Its a trip I would like to repeat but next time will stay in Page overnight and make early start over desert.

You should have a lot of fun.

[gfunc]

If you want to check out the canyon VFR chart or Vegas sectional, have a look at those on http://skyvector.com/

Type 'GCN' in the search thingy and flick between the available charts with the buttony whatnots in the top right.

Cheers,

Gareth.

[SkyHawk-N]

If you really want to see the Grand Canyon take a mule ride down to the bottom, you will never forget it. :uhoh: (best smilie I could find, there isn't a 'sore butt' one).

[tenretni]

This brings back some memories for me.
Flew the canyon in single and twin cessnas and twin otters many years ago.

Some of the roughest rides I have ever had in my flying career were over the western rim of the canyon on summer afternoons.

It was not unusual to find yourself in a 60 degree bank with the stall warning going of. As for the airsick bags well I lost count but I remember comparing my bag count with that of some of my colleagues. The one with the most bought the beers that evening.

Great days great fun and valuable lessons learnt along the way.

[cats_five]

<snip>The canyon area is a beautiful place. Nearby are also Zion and Bryce canyons, both National Parks


Also Canyonlands, Kodachrome and several others


<snip>
The canyon is beautiful from the air. I never grew tired of seeing it, living in it, or being a part of it. It's more beautiful from the ground.
<snip>


Agreed. And IMHO it's best at sunrise and especially sunset, when the low light picks out the features and the colours intensify:

From Yavapi Point on the South Rim:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/386735454_a90d5b3fe7_o.jpg

[whoateallthepies]

An excellent post, many thanks.
I've saved your advice to Word for the day when I can fly myself to/over the canyon.
Thanks again. http://i.1asphost.com/whoateallthepies/pie.jpg

[wileywiley]

First of all, I would like to thank you SNS3Guppy for your AWESOME POST. We also would like to thank everyone in this thread for your links, thoughts, enthusiastic support, photos.... That is great!

SNS3Guppy --- A specific question: Now,we have been perusing charts, pondering density altitudes, and engine performance specs. There are two of us flying totaling 295 lbs.(with 30 lbs baggage). And in that vein, we are heeding your counsel to hire a pilot to fly with us (at least the very first time) over the Grand Canyon for the pleasure of taking pictures, and enjoying the colors and formations without the distraction of avoiding terrain, and/or smacking into other aircraft etc.

Do you have any recommendations (by individual pilot name or company) as a good person/outfit for this purpose in Page/Kanab or elsewhere?

We also planned to sleep under the stars in Capitol Reef and Bryce and to fly ourselves there from Salt Lake City. We thought we could fly by dead reckoning following Route 89 South, airport to airport K41U to K44U to KRIF to KU13, as an example. We thought to follow possibly from Bryce to Page [KBCE - KPGA via V293] (MEA is 11,000 then 8500), using IFR procedures. Then we would hire a pilot very familiar with the Grand Canyon SVFR routes and procedures to accompany us for that leg and back to Page, as you suggest. We will be flying a Cessna 182T, so any thoughts on density altitude and performance issues for this trip in this aircraft would be most welcome.

Also, is your general recommendation that those areas in and around SLC to Moab - Bryce - Arches - Capitol Reef are manageable for pilots unfamiliar with the area, but not so for the Grand Canyon SVFR area?

We await with great anticipation....

wileywiley

[IanSeager]

This is an excellent site that takes you through the various rules/routes

http://www.grandcanyonairspace.iat.gov/index1.html

Ian

[n5296s]

In addition to the Grand Canyon, you might want to stop at Monument Valley. It has its own strip, dirt when I was there but now blacktop I believe. It is an extraordinary place and absolutely worth visiting. It's a 10 minute walk from the strip to the hotel, or they'll pick you up. You need to get permission before going there but it's straightforward.

For the Canyon, for the non-airplane visit, the North Rim is much more spectacular than the South Rim. Unfortunately there's no strip anywhere close, the nearest place with car rental is Page which is about a 2-3 hour drive - but the drive is also spectacular, especially the return when the Vermillion Cliffs have been switched on.

I did "fly the canyon" once but there was so much smoke from forest fires that the view was not especially spectacular. One thing I'd recommend, once you've got the SFAR chart, is to enter the entrance and exit points of the corridors in the GPS (for some reason they don't have VPxxx names). That way you can put them in a flight plan and be sure you won't fly where you shouldn't.

Enjoy...

n5296s

[SNS3Guppy]

Do you have any recommendations (by individual pilot name or company) as a good person/outfit for this purpose in Page/Kanab or elsewhere?


Private Message sent.

[Genghis the Engineer]

SNSGuppy clearly knows the area far better than I, but I'd just add in - Flagstaff meteor crater, Sedona, and hopefully somebody will remind me of the name of the volcanic area. All not far from Grand Canyon and beautiful flying.

G

[david viewing]

I stand in awe of SN3's fantastic post, but I have flown across the canyon in the VFR corridors occasionally and would like to add the following:

For a place to visit in the Canyon, nothing beats the Marble Canyon (http://www.viewing.com/arizona/canyon/marble/marble.htm)airstrip. It's narrow, undulating and quite long (it needs to be!). There's a fairly basic motel across the street, a store and a pleasant walk to the famous girder bridges near where Powell entered the river on that first journey. There's also a private strip at Cliff Dwellers Lodge which I've not visited.

Back in 1991 the FAA published a 'VFR Pilots briefing pamphlet' describing the special rules area that surrounds the canyon and details of the corridors and 'no fly zones'. This pamphlet contains photos of the corridor waypoints as seen from the other side and I've found it extremely helpful in confirming visual / gps navigation. I have no idea if it's still available but I could scan my copy if you are interested.

I can only echo SN3's words about flying early. My own policy is to depart at dawn (US airfields open early) and get flying for the day done by 11:00 am latest. Anyway, this tactic keeps you closest to UK time and minimises jetlag on the way home!

Page is a lovely spot and will be instantly recognisable to anyone who's seen the movie 'Evolution'. I suggest staying in the Best Western overlooking the river. When you land at Page you are likely to be accosted by not one, but two FBO's. I was there in January and used Classic Aviation who were extremely helpful.

[9AlphaWhiskey]

That was a truly awesome post SN3!!

Wiley: I'm glad to see that "T" prefixed to the 182. As SN3 pointed out, density altitudes this time of year are gonna start looking like service ceilings. I first flew the canyon VFR in October so I wouldn't have to deal with the crowds and the bumps. Summertime at KGCN is like a shark feed, something you might want to watch from a distance and not necessarily participate in.

Procedurally, SN3 hit everything. I did indeed let my friend Otto do all the flying through the corridors while I looked for other aircraft, took photos, listened to and announced positions and changed altitudes as appropriate for each corridor. I hit it on a smooth-as-glass day with a sprinkling of snow on the north rim. Along with some fllights in Alaska, this area of the Southwest has provided some of the most soul-satisfying flights I have ever had. One area that has not been mentioned is Lake Powell. I won't say "don't miss it" because you can't and it is visually stunning, especially in early morning or late afternoon. Plus, you can enjoy it from a practical altitude without that feeling of walking on egg shells that you get over the canyon.

I would also add that a good part of that 30lbs of baggage should include some serious survival gear. There are stretches of that country that are unlandable but there are many spots to successfully force land too. Then what? Just about anywhere west of the Rockies, it would be a good idea to carry a 406 MHz PLB. We have had several incidents within the last year of excellent pilots in excellent aircraft who disappeared in excellent flying conditions. Some had happy endings, but could have been happier, sooner if they had better locating beacons with them. If you have one, wear it. Don't throw it in the back of the plane.

Who mentioned the meteor crater near Winslow? If you have come all that way, it's worth a visit because it is spectacular from the air:



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/airweenie/Canyon%20Flyover/PA260705.jpg


Sorry, I can't stop gushing about the place... Here's Page airport. The cross runway should give you a hint of what the crosswind conditions might be - especially after you subtract out that displaced threshold.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/airweenie/Canyon%20Flyover/PA270565.jpg

Lake Powell early morning
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/airweenie/Canyon%20Flyover/PA270552.jpg


Marble Canyon airport, near Page and the Glen Canyon Dam
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/airweenie/Canyon%20Flyover/PA270571.jpg

Otto doing his part, flying me through Zuni corridor over the canyon.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b42/airweenie/Canyon%20Flyover/PA270593.jpg


My apologies for all the pix, but I just got swept away by the place. One that I think every pilot should prepare for, pick his time and go do it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I went back and took my brother along. He made a good web page on the trip that you can see here: http://www.vintageair.net/MauleBros/032007/index.html

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

[SNS3Guppy]

I see a picture of Marble Canyon Lodge taken from the Maule. The runway is about ten feet wide, maybe a little wider, and it's really a one-way airstrip from which a go-around may, or may not be possible. Plan accordingly. Watch out for very large, red ants that bite hard, don't set anything on the ground that you aren't willing to have absorb a snake, ants, or a scorpion. You probably won't see them, but be prepared. It's desert, and what lives in the heat seeks out the shade...including you. Some things weren't meant to share the same space.

I've gone into Cliff Dweller's Lodge (just down-canyon from Marble Canyon lodge) and marble canyon many times in 206's and 207's. Cliff Dwellers is private and a dirt airstrip, with limited facilities. Marble Canyon only has a few tie down facilities. Always carry ample water and supplies with you. Unlike many places where you might be used to having plenty of runways and airports, the west is sparse, and few and far between. You're also on the Navajo Nation reservation, ostensibly in a different country.

Never fly anywhere without a jacket, even in hot summer weather. Keep density altitude in mind. Plan for the cooler parts of the day. Don't plan on getting fuel at places like Marble Canyon or other canyon strips; it won't be there. Carry what you need to get there, and get back. Remember that weather pops up suddenly, unexpectedly, and the terrain makes it's own weather. Remember when it comes to landings that getting down and getting stopped is FAR more important than a long, floating effort to get a greaser of a landing, and that airspeed control is a very big plus. Centerline is important, especially when there's no centerline and some runways aren't much wider than your landing gear. I've landed on some throughout the region that have literally inches to spare on each side of the gear. (Sandwash in central Utah leaps to mind).

Monument Valley is now paved; it used to be half dirt, half paved, withouta smooth transition between the two. It's a one-way airstrip too. Formerly a herd of Navajo sheep and goats would cross going one way in the morning, driven by a dog, and come back in the evening. Don't be taking off or landing when that happens. I believe it's fenced now, but having critters crossing your landing path isn't unusual, so be aware. Anywhere out there is very much a heads-up see-and-avoid kind of place, so if you're in the habit of letting your radio look for traffic, don't.

The Canyon has undergone several airspace changes since 1991, so use the most current information. The canyon has it's own special Federal Avaition Regulation (SFAR) 50-2, and it's own chart. Operators who fly tours there have to pay big dollars for the privilege of simply going into the airspace (three quarters of a million dollars yearly, typically), and are authorized for certain routes and altitudes where you can't go, or shouldn't go, especially if you're not familiar. It's a spectacular place, and it's very important to remember that folks are loking at the canyon, not necessarily always for you, and a small airplane can easily disappear into the 277 mile stretch...collisions do happen there.

Monitor 121.5 everywhere you go. It may be you that hears someone else and saves them, it may be you needing to talk before you go down in terrain that doesn't allow you to get a signal out to anyone except those directly overhead. I've picked up distress calls on several occasions from river runners who've been injured at the bottom of the canyon, and it could just as easily have been me...so listen. Same for sector frequencies.

I've been down inside the meteor crater in a light airplane. I don't recommend you do that. Today they get upset and just like violating the park airspace, it can land you in a lot of trouble. Particularly since 09/11.

I've been shot on several occasions while flying in parts of the canyon that are no longer accessible. Environmentalists who were a little too militant about trying to enforce their views of keeping the airspace over the canyon free of trespassing airplanes have on occasion taken matters into their own hands. It's not unheard of for regulars to monitor certain sections of the canyon and photograph trespassers for enforcement action, so be aware of that, too. There are a lot of folks to take that airspace very seriously.

At the other end of Lake Powell is Rainbow bridge, which I believe is the largest natural arch in the world (I may have that wrong). It's a sacred site to the Navajos, on the North side of Navajo Mountain, large dome shaped mountain west of Page. A flight from there west will take you through Monument Valley, where a great many western cowboy movies have been filmed. Up to Moab and Green River will take you over a lot of country that contains petroglyphs and cliff dwells from the Freemont and Anasazi Indians, though you may have to get down low and slow to find them...take someone experienced if you elect to go that route.

File flight plans, check in often, and if you change your plans, let someone know. You can easily disappear out there, and there are a lot of places where you might not be found for years, if ever. There's little radio coverage or radar coverage at lower altitudes, so keep that in mind.

St. George UT has rental cars, and you can drive to Zion and to North Rim or even up to Bryce Canyon. You can also fly to Bryce and get a shuttle to the Canyon where you can hike the trails. It's the best way to see Bryce; it's better while hiking than from the air, and it's fairly spectacular from the air. It reminds me of a giant melting orange ice cream.

Take plenty of film or batteries for your camera. You won't stop taking pictures, where ever you go. I flew thousands of hours out there, and never got tired of it.

There's a west end place you can visit, near Quartermaster Canyon. At a place called Deadhorse point, or just northwest of there, you'll find Grand Canyon West, which is now a paved strip. The Hualapai Indians run it, as it's on their reservation. I don't know what they presently charge, but there's a landing fee, and a per person charge. They'll take you out to the edge of the canyon, and serve you a meal. They have a glass walkway that extends out over the canyon now, that allows you to walk out over the edge and look down. Be aware of a lot of VFR traffic going in and out, as well as making low west-end tours. Just at the west end is also Pearce Ferry airstrip, the oldest airstrip in the Canyon. It's dirt, remote, and has drop-offs at the end of the runway. It's no place to reject a takeoff, land long, or takeoff too heavy. It's also a great place to get a picture of you and your airplane, and a different experience if you're not used to it. Lake Mead is a pretty place to fly, too, and of course at that point you're not far from Las Vegas. You can find plenty to do there. too. I recommend if you're going to do that you plan ahead, and consider using Henderson. Plan on your head really being on a swivel; there's a LOT of traffic.

Enjoy; there's a lot to appreciate out there.

[vancouv]

tenretni,

It was not unusual to find yourself in a 60 degree bank with the stall warning going of. :eek:

[Dream Land]

Flew the ditch for years, the rules for the airspace are no big deal, density altitude is the big problem, you C182 will have the power of a C152 at GCN, plan accordingly.

[SNS3Guppy]

A 182, or 172, for that matter, does just fine out of GCN, or even any of the canyon airstrips, such as whitmore ranch. However, yes, plan accordingly.

[david viewing]

SNS3: I didn't mean that people should use the airspace details in the 1991 pamphlet, just the aerial photos of the VFR corridors which have never been reproduced in any of the later publications as far as I know.

9AW: What camera did you use for those fantastic shots?

It's been a joy reading these posts about Canyon flying and I can't wait to get back there! One subject I haven't noticed raised yet is afternoon thunderstorms, illustrated by this picture taken from the South Rim, just outside the special rules airspace, looking over the Canyon rim toward the Little Colorado river. Another good reason for flying early!

http://www.viewing.com/arizona/canyon/DSCF0048%20(Small).JPG