How long to fly Georgia to California?

[larryb]

Another consideration is the airports and FBOs. Since the Mooney doesn’t burn that much fuel I like mid size airports with a good FBO, rental cars available and maintenance if I need it. Of course I stay away from $7 gas but I don’t search out the cheapest gas either.

[Jeff_S]

A couple of years ago I flew from Atlanta to Tucson in my Ovation, with one fuel stop somewhere in central Texas.  Total flying time was ~8 hours.  I should note that this was in August, so headwinds were light and I somehow managed to avoid all the heavy turbulence that is so often predicted in the afternoons. You can flight plan from Tucson to San Diego to see what the remainder would be, probably around 2 hours.  So it's doable in one day, especially with two pilots and George along for the ride.  But if you have the time, I support the others' notions...break it up, enjoy the flight, see some other part of the country you haven't seen yet...maybe even go out of your way to do this.  Have fun!

[PMcClure]

It will take too long. Have your friend stop by and pick me up and I will take your place

 

[bradp]

Pretend you’re like a 135 for that trip.  Limit to 8 hrs of flying/14 on the clock. It will be too exhausting to fly 16 hrs in a day, arriving after dark with some actual terrain let alone any weather challenges / delays.  Schedule 3 days plan 2. That’s what I did flying CA to Va when I bought the J. Got weathered in between TN and VA and spent the night in Asheville.   Spent another extra day heading up to Boston.  It was still a lot of flying and I was younger then.  

[Danb]

Easy peasy to spread it out, Leave Atlantic City Caesar’s via ACY, fly to Cincinnati stay at was Jacks casino, spin over to Memphis or Tunica staying at Tunica Horseshoe, a nice Indian casino awaits in Tulsa onto Albuquerque stay at Isleta hotel and Casino spin over to Laughlen Nv another Harrahs onto San Diego few nice Casinos oops your home. Would be a nice eight day trip across the USA, I’ve done a few similar trips, my wife’s deal you have an all expenses paid plane, she loves casinos and will fly everywhere as long as there’s a casino hotel on the end. Maxwells for annual stay in Boosier City Horseshoe an hour drive. I seem to have the entire US figured flight with stops at gaming sites to throw the rest of my money at. Have fun..take two weeks

[carusoam]

See if I have this correct...

Take all the risk... while on the ground.  Plenty of Casinos for that... 

Spread the flying out to avoid additional risk.

Don’t take on more risk than usual... the red handle isn’t there to allow increased risk in the flight plan...  (so I have heard)

PP thoughts only, not a statistician...

Best regards,

-a-

[rbridges]

Thanks for all the info. I knew you guys wouldn't disappoint. 

My schedule is pretty tight until mid-late October.   Any red flags or advice for that time of year, especially closer to the west coast?

[Skates97]

46 minutes ago, rbridges said:

Thanks for all the info. I knew you guys wouldn't disappoint. 

My schedule is pretty tight until mid-late October.   Any red flags or advice for that time of year, especially closer to the west coast?

No red flags, the closer you get to the West Coast the nicer it will be. You shouldn't have the typical afternoon thermals and build-ups that you get over the desert in the summer time. Fall flying is great out west.

[Hank]

1 hour ago, Skates97 said:

No red flags, the closer you get to the West Coast the nicer it will be. You shouldn't have the typical afternoon thermals and build-ups that you get over the desert in the summer time. Fall flying is great out west.

Once you cross the Mississippi, visibility will begin increasing from 6 miles to about three states. When it drops under 20 miles, many locals will reconsider VFR flight due to limited visibility . . . .

[gsxrpilot]

October is even better than July/August/September so you're in good shape. 

Let me know if you need someone to ride along. But we'll be doing it in a single day. 

Or maybe I'll pull up along side you somewhere over West Texas and fly your wing the rest of the way to the Pacific. 

I LOVE the long flights. The longer the better.