Tips on flying in the USA?
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Tips on flying in the USA?
Hey 
I'm heading out to Phoenix, AZ in approx 1 months time for some hour building with Chandler Air Service.
I am a relatively novice PPL with only some 90 Hours and the actual thought of flying across the state in a foreign country i'm finding quite daunting!
Would anyone like to share some helpful hints/tips they found when flying in America, preferably around the area I am? I've been told by many it's a lot simpler than flying VFR in the UK but I'm taking everything I hear with a pinch of salt.
The aim is to build up hours towards my CPL hence I do not really want to blow holes in the sky and I don't really want to let my flying skills deteriorate or some bad habits to seep in. I'm aiming to achieve 50 hours over 2.5 weeks
Cheers,
Lewis
I'm heading out to Phoenix, AZ in approx 1 months time for some hour building with Chandler Air Service.
I am a relatively novice PPL with only some 90 Hours and the actual thought of flying across the state in a foreign country i'm finding quite daunting!
Would anyone like to share some helpful hints/tips they found when flying in America, preferably around the area I am? I've been told by many it's a lot simpler than flying VFR in the UK but I'm taking everything I hear with a pinch of salt.
The aim is to build up hours towards my CPL hence I do not really want to blow holes in the sky and I don't really want to let my flying skills deteriorate or some bad habits to seep in. I'm aiming to achieve 50 hours over 2.5 weeks
Cheers,
Lewis
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Thanks SoCal.
Already got my '11 copy of FAR/AIM. Something nice and chunky to sink my teeth into!
Yes I have my letter of authenticity and my appointment booked with Scottsdale FSDO 2 days after I arrive and have completed the BFR and Mountain Checkouts required by the flight school.
Already got my '11 copy of FAR/AIM. Something nice and chunky to sink my teeth into!
Yes I have my letter of authenticity and my appointment booked with Scottsdale FSDO 2 days after I arrive and have completed the BFR and Mountain Checkouts required by the flight school.
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You'll find the airspace around Phoenix, and Tucson quite busy. If you are lost, tell ATC right away!
The mountains around there are significant. If you're going out toward them, tell someone where to look for you, if you have to go down. There are not so many suitable forced landing areas in there.
If you fly into Tucson, pay attention to the displaced thresholds, they're displayed because of arrester cables for the jet fighters, and you don't want to get hung up in one! Tucson is home to the Pima air museum, very well worth a break in your flying to visit. If you're going south of there (or away from cities in general), it's very barren country, go prepared. Well, south, you could blunder into Mexico - don't. The border between Arizona, and Mexico is not visible on the ground. Make sure that ATC have you on radar, so there are no surprises. The Americans take their border security very seriously, and there is little give, just because you're flying.
Fly the altitude appropriate to your heading.
Allow for high density altitudes on takeoff and landing.
If you want to see lots of expensive jets, fly into Scottsdale.
Be ready for smog, and sand or dust storms, the visibility can come way down on a clear day.
Have fun....
The mountains around there are significant. If you're going out toward them, tell someone where to look for you, if you have to go down. There are not so many suitable forced landing areas in there.
If you fly into Tucson, pay attention to the displaced thresholds, they're displayed because of arrester cables for the jet fighters, and you don't want to get hung up in one! Tucson is home to the Pima air museum, very well worth a break in your flying to visit. If you're going south of there (or away from cities in general), it's very barren country, go prepared. Well, south, you could blunder into Mexico - don't. The border between Arizona, and Mexico is not visible on the ground. Make sure that ATC have you on radar, so there are no surprises. The Americans take their border security very seriously, and there is little give, just because you're flying.
Fly the altitude appropriate to your heading.
Allow for high density altitudes on takeoff and landing.
If you want to see lots of expensive jets, fly into Scottsdale.
Be ready for smog, and sand or dust storms, the visibility can come way down on a clear day.
Have fun....
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- Listen to LiveATC: Listen to Live ATC (Air Traffic Control) Communications | LiveATC.net
- Buy some charts and understand FAA airspace (or look at them on here: SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts
- Study the airports, airport diagrams etc AirNav: Airport Information
- Study the weather resources: ADDS - TAFs
- And yes read the 2011 FAR/AIM
- Buy some DVDs/Apps/Courses from Kings Schools: Learn to Fly! | King Schools
Fly the plane, good luck and enjoy!
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listen
listen to SsquawkVFR.com - comming just from Phoenix area.
to start with - Sedona north of Phoenix is a good destination - no controlled airspace all the way once you get out of Phoenix - some pics here. Just make sure you understand density altitude concept..
to start with - Sedona north of Phoenix is a good destination - no controlled airspace all the way once you get out of Phoenix - some pics here. Just make sure you understand density altitude concept..
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If you do go to Scottsdale, contact Budd Davisson and buy a couple of hours with him in N8PB. Budd Davisson's Airbum.com
I guarantee you'll learn a lot.
These days, Marlene his wife runs a pretty chic B&B at their house. I stayed at a nice motel/sports complex near the airfield when I went 11 years ago.
I guarantee you'll learn a lot.
These days, Marlene his wife runs a pretty chic B&B at their house. I stayed at a nice motel/sports complex near the airfield when I went 11 years ago.
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Don't expect the weather to always be good.
Don't expect the feds to be as understanding of minor mistakes at the CAA.
Don't order anything in large.
The beer is sh#%t.
The locals are usually very hospitable ( unless you give an honest opinion on the beer quality)
Enjoy it will be good fun but don't look at the price until you get back, in the cold light of day flying in the USA is not as cheap as you think.
Leave the pole dancing to the girls, if you have had enough beer to think you can do it you have had too much to try !
Don't expect the feds to be as understanding of minor mistakes at the CAA.
Don't order anything in large.
The beer is sh#%t.
The locals are usually very hospitable ( unless you give an honest opinion on the beer quality)
Enjoy it will be good fun but don't look at the price until you get back, in the cold light of day flying in the USA is not as cheap as you think.
Leave the pole dancing to the girls, if you have had enough beer to think you can do it you have had too much to try !
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in the cold light of day flying in the USA is not as cheap as you think
and renting a decent IFR capable single starts at $100 wet
and unless you fly into something like O'Hare, the landings are usually free
For beer guidance (which doesn't mix very well with flying 50 hours in 2.5 weeks I dare say - but then neither does pole dancing) have a look here for proper stuff in the US.
Arizona locals are not too hospitable
but "More likely to shoot you then question your legal status..." is way down their list. Their first question is "Do you have a credit card ?"
TIP LIST :
Beware of special flight rules areas (NP's like Grand Canyon);
Beware of weather you have never seen before (1-800-WX BRIEF with the order of the briefing structure on your lap)
Always file flight plans for cross countries
Tip the line workers (and the pole dansers) at the FBO's where you land
Beware of some serious magnetic variations
Making British Food Palatable for 200 Years
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Chandler Air Service .... remember it well
It gets quite bumpy in the thermals; I would recommend going there during UK wintertime (like I did).
As regards food, I recommend you bring your own sandwiches from home Americans are rarely into healthy eating, and Arizona is further away from that idea than most places I've been to...
It gets quite bumpy in the thermals; I would recommend going there during UK wintertime (like I did).
As regards food, I recommend you bring your own sandwiches from home
Americans are rarely into healthy eating, and Arizona is further away from that idea than most places I've been to...
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Thank you all for your input so far! Got lots for me to study between now and Sept.
I chose Chandler really not because it is the cheapest but i've heard nothing but good reviews from people who have used them. That said...it still works out around £65 ph (incl. tax) for a C172 compared to my current clubs eyewatering rates of £180 ph. 50 hours over my 2.5 weeks could prove to be optimistic given the current temperate like SoCal said. I can imagine i'll be sweating my neck off at 3000ft let alone on the ground! I shall take it as it comes and stick within my limits. If i do enjoy it enough then I will definately be returning.
I suppose this is a question I should ask the flight school now but might as well whilst i'm here... Do you pay for fuel at other airfields using your own card/cash and the flight school reimburse you or do they give you some sort of fuel card? I assume you are responsible for refuelling the aircraft yourself in most cases?
I chose Chandler really not because it is the cheapest but i've heard nothing but good reviews from people who have used them. That said...it still works out around £65 ph (incl. tax) for a C172 compared to my current clubs eyewatering rates of £180 ph. 50 hours over my 2.5 weeks could prove to be optimistic given the current temperate like SoCal said. I can imagine i'll be sweating my neck off at 3000ft let alone on the ground! I shall take it as it comes and stick within my limits. If i do enjoy it enough then I will definately be returning.
I suppose this is a question I should ask the flight school now but might as well whilst i'm here... Do you pay for fuel at other airfields using your own card/cash and the flight school reimburse you or do they give you some sort of fuel card? I assume you are responsible for refuelling the aircraft yourself in most cases?
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For if it all goes pear shaped......
don't forget to get proper medical insurance cover. Illness, car accident etc. Any uninsured treatment in the USA will soon negate any savings and more that you are intending to make. Check the policy carefully as most standard health policies exclude flying except as a passenger on scheduled flights. That said... set it all up carefully and then have fun!
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If you have time, check out the local EAA Chapter websites.. Maybe go along to one of their meetings?
EAA 538 Phoenix, AZ Home - Chapter 538
UL 55 Phoenix, AZ Home - Ultralight Chapter 55
WAR 20 Phoenix, AZ Home - Warbird Squadron 20
Consider doing the first day or two getting familiar, then go "flyabout"? This is a huge country, the scenery in the SW is stunning - Sedona, Santa Fe, Albequerque, the meteor crater near Winslow, to name but a few.
Another website you may find helpful is fltplan.com
And if you have an iPhone or an iPad, Foreflight is a great app.
EAA 538 Phoenix, AZ Home - Chapter 538
UL 55 Phoenix, AZ Home - Ultralight Chapter 55
WAR 20 Phoenix, AZ Home - Warbird Squadron 20
Consider doing the first day or two getting familiar, then go "flyabout"? This is a huge country, the scenery in the SW is stunning - Sedona, Santa Fe, Albequerque, the meteor crater near Winslow, to name but a few.
Another website you may find helpful is fltplan.com
And if you have an iPhone or an iPad, Foreflight is a great app.
Get an instructor to take you through the quite different approach to airspace, flight plans, etc.
ATC speech takes getting used to, quite why they have to talk in such a shotgun manner is beyond many of us. You will also find controllers who are pleasant and helpful, and some who are the absolute opposite. It doesn't depend on workload.
Sharing major airports and airspace with large commercial and military jets can be a surprise.
Circuits (patterns) can be far tighter than what you are used to.
Magnetic deviation in the western US is very substantial, comparing compass with chart. There are also some items (I forget which - weather ?) that give times in GMT, which is no problem in the UK but requires quick thinking over there.
The practiced forced landing into convenient nice green fields of the UK doesn't extend across much of the US where the terrain is almost entirely hostile. Country roads may seem to offer an alternative but check for telephone poles alongside. You may be reduced to a lake as a final option.
ATC speech takes getting used to, quite why they have to talk in such a shotgun manner is beyond many of us. You will also find controllers who are pleasant and helpful, and some who are the absolute opposite. It doesn't depend on workload.
Sharing major airports and airspace with large commercial and military jets can be a surprise.
Circuits (patterns) can be far tighter than what you are used to.
Magnetic deviation in the western US is very substantial, comparing compass with chart. There are also some items (I forget which - weather ?) that give times in GMT, which is no problem in the UK but requires quick thinking over there.
The practiced forced landing into convenient nice green fields of the UK doesn't extend across much of the US where the terrain is almost entirely hostile. Country roads may seem to offer an alternative but check for telephone poles alongside. You may be reduced to a lake as a final option.
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Negative vibes on here about Arizona and the FAA which I cannot agree with. I've landed at most airports in Az (except PHX) and found the reception always helpful and sometimes, as at Lake Havasu for instance, overwhelming.
Flying in the US is far less stressful than here. However I do think your 50Hrs in 2 weeks is pretty optimistic. Something like 2Hrs per day will be much more comfortable though I appreciate you probably have a 3Hr minimum from the FBO.
Above all else, fly early. Everything's open by 6am and the air is much calmer than in the afternoon. I find it also helps no end with jet lag if you stay closer to UK time.
Your FBO checkout will undoubtedly cover getting into or under the PHX class 'B'. However you might also consider having the instructor accompany you on a cross country to an uncontrolled field like Payson (very pretty). US instructors usually don't appreciate the differences between UK and US training and may not realise that you are not familiar with the 45 deg join, just as an example.
Don't be put off by the partly justified reputation of certain fields like Sedona or the Canyon airport. Compared with the 600m grass strips we are used to here, they are a pussycat, downdrafts n' all. Do check the FBO's policy on where you can land though since some do ban Sedona. Also be wary of gravel strips like Temple Bar, even if allowed by the FBO, because it's easy to pick up stones.
Interesting places (I've mentioned a few already) include Valle with it's museum, St Johns with the white mountains, little unnatended Winslow (with the crater and picture of Lindburgh in the hut that serves as a terminal) and Bullhead City with the Nevada casinos right across the bridge. And there's Deming and Bisbee (with mine tours) right down on the border if you want to see, but not enter, Mexico.
Provided you are light (max +1 in a typical 172) the Canyon VFR routes are eminently achievable and the memories will last a lifetime. Route N across the Canyon to lovely Page, Az., and be sure to get a room in the Best Western overlooking the river where they filmed 'Evolution'. From Page go E to Monument Valley and then S to the San Fransisco Mtns and Sunset Crater before landing at Flagstaff, where you can visit the famous observatory (check for opening times). I've met pilots (In Prescott) who claim they've never flown outside of Arizona. Once you are there, you will see why.
Hope that helps.
Flying in the US is far less stressful than here. However I do think your 50Hrs in 2 weeks is pretty optimistic. Something like 2Hrs per day will be much more comfortable though I appreciate you probably have a 3Hr minimum from the FBO.
Above all else, fly early. Everything's open by 6am and the air is much calmer than in the afternoon. I find it also helps no end with jet lag if you stay closer to UK time.
Your FBO checkout will undoubtedly cover getting into or under the PHX class 'B'. However you might also consider having the instructor accompany you on a cross country to an uncontrolled field like Payson (very pretty). US instructors usually don't appreciate the differences between UK and US training and may not realise that you are not familiar with the 45 deg join, just as an example.
Don't be put off by the partly justified reputation of certain fields like Sedona or the Canyon airport. Compared with the 600m grass strips we are used to here, they are a pussycat, downdrafts n' all. Do check the FBO's policy on where you can land though since some do ban Sedona. Also be wary of gravel strips like Temple Bar, even if allowed by the FBO, because it's easy to pick up stones.
Interesting places (I've mentioned a few already) include Valle with it's museum, St Johns with the white mountains, little unnatended Winslow (with the crater and picture of Lindburgh in the hut that serves as a terminal) and Bullhead City with the Nevada casinos right across the bridge. And there's Deming and Bisbee (with mine tours) right down on the border if you want to see, but not enter, Mexico.
Provided you are light (max +1 in a typical 172) the Canyon VFR routes are eminently achievable and the memories will last a lifetime. Route N across the Canyon to lovely Page, Az., and be sure to get a room in the Best Western overlooking the river where they filmed 'Evolution'. From Page go E to Monument Valley and then S to the San Fransisco Mtns and Sunset Crater before landing at Flagstaff, where you can visit the famous observatory (check for opening times). I've met pilots (In Prescott) who claim they've never flown outside of Arizona. Once you are there, you will see why.
Hope that helps.
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Boneyard
Head down towards Tucson, and talk nicely to Tucson approach and ask to do a circuit of the boneyard, if DM isn't too active and you stay reasonably high, you'll get a great view.
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The practiced forced landing into convenient nice green fields of the UK doesn't extend across much of the US where the terrain is almost entirely hostile
If you take along a GPS, the deviation will be a no brainer. Find out initially what the difference between mountain standard time (AZ) and Zulu, make a note of it. Its pretty simple to work out thereafter.
If you do decide to do some l o n g cross countries, consider heading northeast to Oshkosh. Not as busy as a month ago, but fun to visit nonetheless. Its about 1275nm, so a couple of days each way? Lots of hour building
Bring a good book for the bits across Kansas, Missouri & Illinois...... Unless you find corn fascinating... 