Circumnavigate the USA

[Skydancer2992]

Use the Reader's Digest Most Scenic Drives in America to plot some of the sites to see by air. I recommend adding Monument Valley to your itinerary as there is a nice airfield with a hotel, all run by the Navajo Nation.

 


When I went to Oshkosh, I'd carry the pet tiedowns that look like a giant cork screw, and screw them into the ground. They used to be a dollar each at the Dollar Store.

[carusoam]

+1 for triangular hammer in the ground anchors + tie-down ropes...

Often sold by EAA at KOSH...

They are just one of those things in your away kit...

Next to things like a spair tube, spark plug, hammer, wrench, food, water,  bear repellent, etc...

Find what people carry in their tool box with a search...

Some vary by area of the Mooney World in which they fly... 

There are some places where the credit card just doesn’t work...

Some days are longer than others...

Best regards,

-a-

[Seth]

On 8/13/2020 at 10:06 AM, gsxrpilot said:

Agree 100%

My statement was with regards to the regulations. It is completely possible to do this trip without O2 and stay well within the regulations.

I did it without and with O2. Get O2 - much less fatigue when up at 12,400. You are are mildly hypoxic there - makes a HUGE difference to have it. And also to pick up some tailwinds heading East!

 

-Seth

[Hank]

22 hours ago, MooneyDreamer said:

On a totally unrelated note, but relative to this trip, what does everyone feel about The Claw Aircraft Tie-Down System? I have one in my shopping cart at mypilotstore.com for $100 and it seems like a good deal and backup plan in case we get to an airport with no tiedown ropes or spaces. Thoughts?

I went to Tornado n Fun and saw many planes with Claws that were pulled out of the ground. I carried some dollar store dog tie down screw things with me, but bought and used the much sturdier screw-in set sold by EAA when I arrived.

Planes in GAC around me at the approach end of 9 were turned every which way, and the Cessna to my immediate right was on top of the Bonanza to its immediate right. My left wheel rolled forward about 5-6" because the rope had more slack than the right one, which didn't move.

This is one person's experience. Screw that thing all the way into the ground, until the triangle rope loop is touching. It worked for me!

[gsxrpilot]

23 hours ago, MooneyDreamer said:

On a totally unrelated note, but relative to this trip, what does everyone feel about The Claw Aircraft Tie-Down System? I have one in my shopping cart at mypilotstore.com for $100 and it seems like a good deal and backup plan in case we get to an airport with no tiedown ropes or spaces. Thoughts?

I've seen those ripped out of the ground. I've been using FlyTies. They're available at AircraftSpruce I believe or google them. I also use straps instead of ropes. 

[larryb]

I have never ever needed screw in dirt tie downs on any cross country trip. Most airports have plenty of empty tarmac. But having your own straps can be key.

 

I stop at mid size airports with FBOs, maintenance and rental cars. FBOs have the best rates at local hotels so it can pay if you let them make reservations for you. This works best on weekdays, the person doing that work generally doesn’t work weekends.

[Hank]

I keep a set of ropes in the hatrack, with eye splices in one end. Some ramp tie downs have no ropes at all, some the ropes are too rotten to trust. Making a set is fairly quick and inexpensive--buy a quality 50' rope, it will make two pieces with 15' length betwen the eye and end splices, and a shirter piece for the tail. Coil them up and toss 'em in the hatrack.

[ArtVandelay]

For those interested in circumnavigating the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll be able to do it without LR tanks or by going through the northern route on the trip east thanks to some good tail winds:

[Seth]

On 8/14/2020 at 11:13 PM, MooneyDreamer said:

On a totally unrelated note, but relative to this trip, what does everyone feel about The Claw Aircraft Tie-Down System? I have one in my shopping cart at mypilotstore.com for $100 and it seems like a good deal and backup plan in case we get to an airport with no tiedown ropes or spaces. Thoughts?

I have the claw. I got it for sale during some sort of sale online through amazon for about $60 a few years back but have never seen it priced that low since - someone wanted to empty their stock I guess. Maybe someone is cleaning a hangar so you can also check ebay. It's so much better than the screw tie downs (those came in a box with my first airplane). It's what I now use at Oshkosh. I'm sure there are better systems out there, but I'm happy with it. The claw is heavy so I only bring it with me when I think I'll need a tie down. I could use it as a removable ballast in the back when needed - probably 12-18 lbs with all the accessories in the bag it came with.

-Seth