IFR Ely, Nevada to Boise, Idaho

[Ross Statham]

Got a question for you folks out west.  I’m flight planning a trip later this year that includes a leg between Ely, NV and Boise, ID flying a normally aspirated M20J at 12,000 feet.  Because of all of the MOAs and mountains, looks to me that the best routing I could find is KELY BQU V293 TWF V253 KBOI.  

Do I need to file for that dog leg route thru the Twin Falls VOR?  Other routing I should review?  Any insights and past experiences appreciated.

 

[carusoam]

IFR or VFR?

VFR with flight following can be a powerful tool to navigate directly through some controlled areas...

Stand by for ideas from MSers in that neighborhood...

Best regards,

-a-

[kmyfm20s]

IFR=I fly roads in that area. I literally just flew that area this weekend and many times before that. The valleys are large and wide with ranch roads, highways and dry lake beds for emergency landings. You will want to fly low or high depending on the winds. You won’t won’t to be on a rigid IFR plan. Winter IFR you will ice up and in the summer up you want more flexibility to go through different valleys to dodge thunderstorms and vary altitude for thermal turbulence.  In the area your flying keep you eyes out for large groups of antelope in the valley floors. 

[kmyfm20s]

51 minutes ago, carusoam said:

IFR or VFR?

VFR with flight following can be a powerful tool to navigate directly through some restricted areas...

Stand by for ideas from MSers in that neighborhood...

Best regards,

-a-

Exactly!

[KLRDMD]

1 hour ago, carusoam said:

VFR with flight following can be a powerful tool to navigate directly through some restricted areas...

Out west you'll rarely be allowed to fly through Restricted areas but you can fly through MOAs.

[N201MKTurbo]

I was flying east once about 20 years ago.

i was heading for Newman when center said “white Sands is cold. Do you want to go direct?” I of course said “sure”.

There was a lot of weird stuff down there.

[Ross Statham]

44 minutes ago, kmyfm20s said:

IFR=I fly roads in that area. I literally just flew that area this weekend and many times before that. The valleys are large and wide with ranch roads, highways and dry lake beds for emergency landings. You will want to fly low or high depending on the winds. You won’t won’t to be on a rigid IFR plan. Winter IFR you will ice up and in the summer up you want more flexibility to go through different valleys to dodge thunderstorms and vary altitude for thermal turbulence.  In the area your flying keep you eyes out for large groups of antelope in the valley floors. 

Great suggestions, folks.  I may want to call one or two of you to get some specifics in a few months as the trip gets closer.  Really didn’t think to do it that way!

i live in the middle of MOAs and restricted airspace in western Florida and helped a few Texas pilots navigate thru here on another blog topic last year.  We get Summer thunder boomers, but no mountains.  I knew if I posted this I’d get some practical ideas.

[kmyfm20s]

Go to the Jail House steak house for dinner in Ely. Tables are in the old jail cells and the steaks are fantastic!

[kmyfm20s]

Pre COVID Jackpot Nevada casino had a great buffet if your into that sort of thing. You can test your cross wind landings on the long skinny runway.

[FoxMike]

I fly that area east/west and really do not know how ATC would handle you.  An altitude of 12k seems reasonable but on the low side and radar coverage is good near the restricted areas but you may find areas of no radar along that route so should plan nav on your own.  ATC may want you higher than 12k so having O2 on board would be a good idea.  Another thing is contact with ATC may be spotty unless you are higher.

If the weather is good and I were doing this leg I would go VFR with flight following. You will most likely need some flexibility in your routing as 12k will get you close to the ground in some limited areas.  If you are flying after 11AM and the sun is out, plan on a rough ride. Plan to have plenty of gas on board as ATC may assign you a circuitous route.  During the summer forest fires create TFRs.

[carusoam]

Oops... used the wrong word there...

Certain airspace types can be easily navigated... ‘restricted’ means something specific when it comes to airspace...

Fortunately the restricted spaces are smaller than the MOAs...

Thanks for the help...

-a-

[kmyfm20s]

3 hours ago, KLRDMD said:

Out west you'll rarely be allowed to fly through Restricted areas but you can fly through MOAs.

I have had a lot of luck if it’s really early in the morning or late in the day.  When I fly through Mojave Areas 2515, 2502, 2505 usually before 7am and after 5pm you can get cleared through. The imperial valley  Area 2510, 2512 before 8am many times. 

[1964-M20E]

9 hours ago, kmyfm20s said:

Pre COVID Jackpot Nevada casino had a great buffet if your into that sort of thing. You can test your cross wind landings on the long skinny runway.

Went there a few years ago when I was in Idaho Falls for work.

As a flatlander it was a new experience to fly around with all those rocks pointing into the sky.

The route by the OP looks just a good as any other. 

[KLRDMD]

7 hours ago, kmyfm20s said:

I have had a lot of luck if it’s really early in the morning or late in the day.  When I fly through Mojave Areas 2515, 2502, 2505 usually before 7am and after 5pm you can get cleared through. The imperial valley  Area 2510, 2512 before 8am many times. 

Wish I had the same luck. I've been cleared through a restricted area exactly once in the last 25+ years flying in the southwest.

[Air pirate]

As mentioned, you want to fly out here early in the AM before the winds and thermals start.  Also, there is a lot of “no where” out here, good to have water with you , some basic survival gear and a few bags of “Fritos”.  Besides eating them , they are great fire starters 

[Ross Statham]

On 2/2/2021 at 10:45 PM, FoxMike said:

I fly that area east/west and really do not know how ATC would handle you.  An altitude of 12k seems reasonable but on the low side and radar coverage is good near the restricted areas but you may find areas of no radar along that route so should plan nav on your own.  ATC may want you higher than 12k so having O2 on board would be a good idea.  Another thing is contact with ATC may be spotty unless you are higher.

If the weather is good and I were doing this leg I would go VFR with flight following. You will most likely need some flexibility in your routing as 12k will get you close to the ground in some limited areas.  If you are flying after 11AM and the sun is out, plan on a rough ride. Plan to have plenty of gas on board as ATC may assign you a circuitous route.  During the summer forest fires create TFRs.

Thanks!  I’ll plan an early ride thru this area and VFR flight following.  And thanks for the restaurant tips too!

[thinwing]

id take a look at a low alitude chart to plan a flight more direct (thru the moa)and out there 12 k is marginal to contact salt lake approach...13to 15 k works better.

[Ross Statham]

6 hours ago, thinwing said:

id take a look at a low alitude chart to plan a flight more direct (thru the moa)and out there 12 k is marginal to contact salt lake approach...13to 15 k works better.

Ah.  Thanks for the altitude tip.  That’s why I reached out to you guys!

[TTaylor]

I fly that area east and west often, you should be able to get flight following in the 11,500 to 12,500 range.  It is a short flight, VFR direct should work well. Just plan to deviate around the restricted areas. We fly the MOA's all the time, it gives the military controls practice talking to you.  I get cleared through the larger restricted areas sometimes, but flight plan to go around them.