Suggested Route KSFZ - KTVC

[GaryP1007]

I want to fly from the greater boston area to traverse city michigan.  Probably a leg stretch in the greater Rochester area....but wonder what other folks do to not be out over the great lakes for too long?  Suggested routing?

[Bob]

KPHN has fair fuel prices.  Like the runway options.

I always make my first leg longer, but may be long for some.

Solo, I would fly direct, nonstop over the water if fuel and winds allow.

My passengers have a 4 hour leg limit.

 

When finding stops I looks first at fuel, runway options and other needs/food etc.

[Marauder]

Depends on which lake and which time of the year... Ontario is deep, cold and doesn't freeze over. Erie is a lot more shallow, will freeze over for good portions of it (if not completely like this past winter).

Crossing over any lake, I want water survival stuff if I can't climb high enough to make it across.

If you are looking for an airport near Rochester, try Genesee County (KGVQ). Has an ILS and a couple of LPV approaches. Not far from town.

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[capthaak]

If you have any altitude at all, you're probably within gliding distance over Ontario or Erie. Huron is more the issue, but as long as you're 8000 feet, you're probably talking 10-15 minutes not in gliding range, provided the winds aren't screaming. Summer time, you'd find boats within your gliding range. A word to the wise, make sure you're IFR rated, and file IFR. JFK jr. You don't want to emulate!

TVC is a well kept secret. Don't tell anyone! If you're coming for Cherry Festival, maybe reconsider your timing!

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[N201MKTurbo]

Just make sure it is IFR. When you are in the clouds the lake won't bother you.

[Yooper Rocketman]

I want to fly from the greater boston area to traverse city michigan.  Probably a leg stretch in the greater Rochester area....but wonder what other folks do to not be out over the great lakes for too long?  Suggested routing?

Gary,

You are flying up to my neck of the woods. Checking on Airnav, looks like if you took a cheaper fuel stop a bit south of a direct route, that would drop your over water time on Lake Ontario and also get your over Lake Huron crossing closer to the "thumb" area of lower Michigan, getting your distance to land during your crossing down considerably. Not sure what altitude you can fly at, but I routinely file for an over land altitude best for winds ( west bound usually lower ) and then ask for a higher, safe altitude once starting my lake crossing. I have never been denied by ATC when "requesting xxx for my lake crossing" in hundreds of flights over Lake Michigan. This is assuming your are flying IFR. If not, make sure you are in contact with ATC leaving US airspace, with Canada ATC while in their airspace, and back with US ATC entering US airspace. I have a Dr. Friend that ended up in a pile of trouble doing VFR over Canada with no radio contact. He had law enforcement waiting for him upon landing in Iron Mountain, Mi, and required remedial training to clear up his license.