Flying across America -- tips, advice and the like...
Just an idea - read Flight of Passage by Kern (I think) Buck - two kids flew across the states in a Cub in the early sixties. Then follow the route and see what's changed.
You are very lucky, enjoy it.
You are very lucky, enjoy it.
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Stay away from the large terminal areas (DFW, LAX, ATL, ORD etc, etc) things there can get pretty hactic a times and they just dont wanna hear from ya
While you're at it, you may as well fly into Heathrow (TE17) in Texas
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I did the trip 2 years ago from San Diego to Grand Bahamas and back again.
Some places to visit along the route;
New Orleans, I didn't get to New Orleans but I've been told its a nice place to go, especially Mardi Gras
Austin , Texas - Nice city
Tuscon, Az - The aircraft grave yard is worth a visit.
Vegas and the Grand Canyon - Would be high on my list of places to visit if I was you.
All along the Gulf coast and down to the keys in Fl.
As others have said, use airnav.com to assist planning and importantly................ have a good one
Some places to visit along the route;
New Orleans, I didn't get to New Orleans but I've been told its a nice place to go, especially Mardi Gras
Austin , Texas - Nice city
Tuscon, Az - The aircraft grave yard is worth a visit.
Vegas and the Grand Canyon - Would be high on my list of places to visit if I was you.
All along the Gulf coast and down to the keys in Fl.
As others have said, use airnav.com to assist planning and importantly................ have a good one
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Agree with pretty much all that's written above. Plan well ahead for your FSDO visit, and get all the paperwork done in plenty of time.
Be very circumspect anywhere around US officialdom, especially entering the USA at the International airport. US bureaucrats (immigration, customs, police, etc) seem to have very little sense of humour, and will turn very aggressive with very little provocation. They can turn you round and send you straight back home if they decide they don't like you. Smile, be polite, and don't joke. You may, of course, meet one of the friendly ones (I have).
Renter's Insurance is essential. A night rating is handy if you're likely to want to fly in the dark - which you may if you do some long legs.
Don't try to plan a whole week's flying in one block. Weather might upset that, and you may find a place you like so much you want to stay a day or two. Finding a hotel room is rarely difficult, apart from at Grand Canyon.
Sedona is a must! If you can, stay overnight in the lodge at the top - Friday nights and weekends are difficult, but midweek you might get a room without booking ahead. The food in the restaurant by the runway is excellent (especially on crab night).
It would be sad not to visit the Grand Canyon, but get the special chart and study it first - there is a lot of "no fly" airspace. Flying across the canyon is a stunning experience. Overnighting there can be a challenge to find a room, unless you're very lucky or book months in advance. Fly to one of the airfields nearby and you should have no trouble finding a room.
If you plan to fly up in the mountainous areas, get a checkout first, and some tuition. With a UK PPL, you don't learn how to take off at airfields around 7000 feet amsl! You must lean for takeoff, and you'll still be amazed at how long a ground run you need. I have a deep affection for Big Bear City.
The opposite is Death Valley - can you continue the approach and landing without a twitch as the altimeter goes below zero feet AMSL? Overnight stays there aren't cheap, but I found the rattlesnake canapes in the restaurant "different".
I'm not so sure about the long stretches - you can go a very long way with nothing in the way of scenery underneath. Some of it is breathtaking, of course, but I don't know that I'd want to go from Florida to California and back. I think I'd rather start and end in California, and venture no further east than Colorado. A bit of mountain training, and you could visit those stunning airfields in the Rockies.
The IR is handy, but I don't think I'd go through the palaver of paperwork you need to do now. Just allow that you may be "weathered in", rather than "have to" fly IFR. I did my FAA IR before all the bureaucracy, and it's a great thing to have, if you have time for it.
For several years (long ago), I wanted to fly from Detriot to Niagara Falls. I probably booked the aircraft six or seven times over a period of some months. I never made it - because there was always "fahg" somewhere along the way. Now that I have the IR and could go anyway, there's so much airspace restriction it's not worth it.
Be very circumspect anywhere around US officialdom, especially entering the USA at the International airport. US bureaucrats (immigration, customs, police, etc) seem to have very little sense of humour, and will turn very aggressive with very little provocation. They can turn you round and send you straight back home if they decide they don't like you. Smile, be polite, and don't joke. You may, of course, meet one of the friendly ones (I have).
Renter's Insurance is essential. A night rating is handy if you're likely to want to fly in the dark - which you may if you do some long legs.
Don't try to plan a whole week's flying in one block. Weather might upset that, and you may find a place you like so much you want to stay a day or two. Finding a hotel room is rarely difficult, apart from at Grand Canyon.
Sedona is a must! If you can, stay overnight in the lodge at the top - Friday nights and weekends are difficult, but midweek you might get a room without booking ahead. The food in the restaurant by the runway is excellent (especially on crab night).
It would be sad not to visit the Grand Canyon, but get the special chart and study it first - there is a lot of "no fly" airspace. Flying across the canyon is a stunning experience. Overnighting there can be a challenge to find a room, unless you're very lucky or book months in advance. Fly to one of the airfields nearby and you should have no trouble finding a room.
If you plan to fly up in the mountainous areas, get a checkout first, and some tuition. With a UK PPL, you don't learn how to take off at airfields around 7000 feet amsl! You must lean for takeoff, and you'll still be amazed at how long a ground run you need. I have a deep affection for Big Bear City.
The opposite is Death Valley - can you continue the approach and landing without a twitch as the altimeter goes below zero feet AMSL? Overnight stays there aren't cheap, but I found the rattlesnake canapes in the restaurant "different".
I'm not so sure about the long stretches - you can go a very long way with nothing in the way of scenery underneath. Some of it is breathtaking, of course, but I don't know that I'd want to go from Florida to California and back. I think I'd rather start and end in California, and venture no further east than Colorado. A bit of mountain training, and you could visit those stunning airfields in the Rockies.
The IR is handy, but I don't think I'd go through the palaver of paperwork you need to do now. Just allow that you may be "weathered in", rather than "have to" fly IFR. I did my FAA IR before all the bureaucracy, and it's a great thing to have, if you have time for it.
For several years (long ago), I wanted to fly from Detriot to Niagara Falls. I probably booked the aircraft six or seven times over a period of some months. I never made it - because there was always "fahg" somewhere along the way. Now that I have the IR and could go anyway, there's so much airspace restriction it's not worth it.
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Yeh, I'd agree with this. The midwest is mind numbing boring. Further east and you get too many days with marginal VFR (3-5 visibility) and that is no fun. Do a loop roughly from CA-NM-CO-MT-WA-CA.
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Re your IMC, as I believe it gives night privileges on your CAA licence then you should get night privileges on your FAA certificate. The FAA guidelines do not appear clear on whether a CAA IMC gives night privileges so maybe you should take some evidence that it does and show it to the FSDO inspector.
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I did a trip from Wisconsin to the west coast, down the coast and back to Wisconsin, as one long lesson to get an FAA IR. It was in February and the mid west was VERY cold: minus 15C on the ground.
As such quite a bit of my trip isn't really that relevant to what you're doing, but I would recommend (mostly echos of what has been said): Sedona, Catalina Island, Crater Lake in Oregon, flying over San Francisco bay, statying at the hotel in Santa Maria where you can taxi up to the door, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, landing at Telluride (we did it partial panel in IMC - a good experience that it can be done).
I would fly in to some of the big airports en-route because it's fun.
I know you're on a budget but if you can rent an aeroplane with an autopilot I think it would make life much better, though with two pilots on board it might not be so bad. If the aircraft doesn't have a GPS I'd buy or borrow a decent handheld one.
Also, I'd echo what Keef said. I'd be tempted to start and end in California - most of the good stuff is out that way.
For quick "how long will it take" planning you can use http://fly.dsc.net but once you're getting more serious I'd recommend http://www.aeroplanner.com where you can plan your route on current sectional charts with all TFR's in place.
As such quite a bit of my trip isn't really that relevant to what you're doing, but I would recommend (mostly echos of what has been said): Sedona, Catalina Island, Crater Lake in Oregon, flying over San Francisco bay, statying at the hotel in Santa Maria where you can taxi up to the door, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, landing at Telluride (we did it partial panel in IMC - a good experience that it can be done).
I would fly in to some of the big airports en-route because it's fun.
I know you're on a budget but if you can rent an aeroplane with an autopilot I think it would make life much better, though with two pilots on board it might not be so bad. If the aircraft doesn't have a GPS I'd buy or borrow a decent handheld one.
Also, I'd echo what Keef said. I'd be tempted to start and end in California - most of the good stuff is out that way.
For quick "how long will it take" planning you can use http://fly.dsc.net but once you're getting more serious I'd recommend http://www.aeroplanner.com where you can plan your route on current sectional charts with all TFR's in place.
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The UK IMCR is not connected to night privileges. One can do it with or without a night qualification on one's PPL.
I think a JAA IR gives an automatic night privilege, including a non-expiring night passenger carrying currency.
I think a JAA IR gives an automatic night privilege, including a non-expiring night passenger carrying currency.
Another good website for planning is www.fltplan.com. They're who the mob I work for use. We're a Part 135 charter company.
conditions:
You have to register but that's free.
Can plan flights & stores a/c rego, pilot names, print flight plans etc. The printed plan usefully has basic ATC freqs. for Dep & Arr. aerodromes + FBO ph & freqs.
Access weather, TFR info, fuel prices etc
Can submit *IFR* flight plans to ATS *but* you need to go through a process to authorise them to submit on your behalf. Easiest if you already have an FAA 'duats' account (also free).
conditions:
You have to register but that's free.
Can plan flights & stores a/c rego, pilot names, print flight plans etc. The printed plan usefully has basic ATC freqs. for Dep & Arr. aerodromes + FBO ph & freqs.
Access weather, TFR info, fuel prices etc
Can submit *IFR* flight plans to ATS *but* you need to go through a process to authorise them to submit on your behalf. Easiest if you already have an FAA 'duats' account (also free).
Join Date: May 2001
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If you fancy cheap accom, make sure you land at Fullerton Airport (CA) for a night stop and I'm sure I can put you up at my house
Doh, flash backs from my IR, sorry
I second or third what everyone says about staying in the West. I've been flying in the Western USA numerous times and often had these great intentions of going across the country. The trouble is there is SO much to do an see around California, Arizona and Nevada. The landscape is fantastic, places like Sedona are incredible if you are used to flying in the UK. Last time I was there we flew through a canyon and popped out ready to join downwing. Fantastic.....Not far from Sedona is Meteor Crater (Winslow I think) and then you have a whole load of ancient extinct volcanoes on the way to Flagstaff which are pretty cool from the air.
A nice trip we did last year was Long Beach - Apple Valley for breakfast - Needles for a piss stop - Sedona (mental note: take a plane with a heater that works or don't wear shorts and T shirt!)- Laughlin for a night of gambling and free beer - Big Bear for some snowball fights (mental note: snow + shorts and T shirts don't go well) - Chino (to see the war birds) - Long Beach.
Found another cool airport in California earlier this year - Agua Dulce - in the hills near Palmdale. Great place, completely uncontrolled and they have an outdoor swimming pool at the airport. You just rock up and take a dip!
I could go on as I love the flying there, and in 6 weeks time I'll be back for some more of it......
Cheers
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I would agree with just about everything mentioned about renters insurance, etc. Lots of sound advice given. As for places to visit, a couple of people have mentioned Sedona - absolutely yes, it is a must. I would also add Santa Fe, New Mexico and Monterrey, California. Be cautious crossing the Rockies - read up on routings and watch the weather very very closely. Travelling in June/July, you will be in prime time for the thunderstorms that develop in the midwest. These are not like anything you will have seen in Europe - you can get lines stretching from New York State all the way to Texas. They develop fast, especially in late afternoons, and can fire up very quickly. Accomodations - sign up for membership in the various hotel/motel chains frequent guest award cards - they are free and can get you a free night stay after a few nights stay. (A lot of the hotel chains operate a number of brands of hotels). Many motels/hotels have vans "limousines" that can pick you up / drop you off at airfields....a lot cheaper than taxis. Make sure you have current charts - all the FBO's sell them. Join AOPA -Aircraft Onwers and Pilots Association - they have some useful booklets as well as an annual airfield guide that is for the most part fairly accurate. Includes names of FBO's, hotels/restaurants nearby, etc.
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Between December and January, wife & I flew San Diego (CA) - Marana (AZ) - Las Cruces (NM) - Pecos (TX) - San Antonio (TX), and stayed a couple of days there over New Year.
Then headed back to San Diego via: Cavern City/Carslbad (NM) - Roswell (NM) - Deming (NM) - Sierra Vista (AZ), visiting Tombstone for a coupla days. Then on to Lake Havasu City (AZ) - Las Vegas (NV), at McCarran itself - and Palm Springs (CA).
The whole trip took about 12 days, start to finish. We flew in an Arrow.
I've flown in the U.S. before, so it wasn't all new to me; but it's an experience that's very hard to beat.
So... go for it, and have great -- and safe -- fun.
Cheers.
Then headed back to San Diego via: Cavern City/Carslbad (NM) - Roswell (NM) - Deming (NM) - Sierra Vista (AZ), visiting Tombstone for a coupla days. Then on to Lake Havasu City (AZ) - Las Vegas (NV), at McCarran itself - and Palm Springs (CA).
The whole trip took about 12 days, start to finish. We flew in an Arrow.
I've flown in the U.S. before, so it wasn't all new to me; but it's an experience that's very hard to beat.
So... go for it, and have great -- and safe -- fun.
Cheers.
