Dream Trip Report (long)

[jdrake]

Recently took an amazing trip in my J.  NJ-FL-AZ-CO-NJ.  Thought I'd share the trip with the group.

 

At the end of February, a friend called and asked if I’d be interested in flying to Sun n Fun again this year.  Having gone each of the past two years, I wasn’t very interested until he mentioned that he’d also like to add a few stops on the way back.  In addition to the expanded itinerary, he also planned on taking some video along the way.  With that in mind, I was happy to take the trip.

 

When he said video, I assumed he meant a Go Pro or camcorder.  Little did I anticipate the HD cameras that were mounted on the wing tips and rear tie down. 

 

The original plan was to leave Trenton before sunrise and stop at Tangier Island to take some footage in the morning light.  Unfortunately, installation of the cameras took longer than anticipated so we decided to head direct to St. Simons Island, GA for fuel.  After tanking up we hopped the short 5 miles to Jekyll Island for a nice lunch of freshly caught seafood while we waited for the TFR around Lakeland to expire for the day.  We left Jekyll around 4:30 and arrived at Lake Parker just as they began to accept arrivals at Lakeland.  After two laps around the lake, we flew the standard arrival without fanfare.

 

Thursday was spent enjoying all Sun n Fun had to offer.

 

After returning the rental car Friday morning, we launched our multi-leg journey to Sedona, AZ.  The Lakeland departure was easy and we picked up flight following from Jacksonville once we left the congestion of the greater Tampa area.  It was a beautiful VFR day so our planned route was Lakeland to Cross City VOR (near the Florida panhandle) then direct Northwest bound to Biloxi, MS.  This route took us just offshore in the Gulf, crossing over Apalachicola then just South of Pensacola.  We then followed the coast into Biloxi/Gulfport.  A quick sandwich then off to the high plains of West Texas, specifically, Lubbock, TX.

 

The departure from Biloxi was straight forward.  Straight out into the Gulf then “right turn on course approved”.  There were some small buildups along the way as we passed above New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  As we passed Shreveport entered East Texas an undercast developed.  We few above it at 8,500 ft until it dissipated near the hill country North of Austin.  The terrain continued to rise as we headed West toward Lubbock.  Amazingly beautiful scenery as you approach the high plains.  Another smooth VFR arrival into the field.  Fuel up the plane, add a quart of oil and then launch on the final leg of the day to Sedona, AZ.

 

We departed to the North and were vectored around several military arrivals training in the area.  Once cleared on course, it was direct Sedona.  We motored West into the Southern Rockies at 10.5k against more of a headwind than we had planned on.  Instead of a 3 hour trip, it turned into 4.  We marveled at the mountains (easy to do when you’re born and raised in NJ).  Altered course slightly from time to time to navigate around the high peaks until the sun finally set in the West.  It’s awfully dark and quiet in New Mexico.  At one point, after not having heard a peep on the radio for nearly 30 minutes, I checked in with Albuquerque Center to see if they were still there.  His response was great… “Ah 15-Alpha, New Mexico is a big state and you’re the only one flying across it right now.  I hear you loud and clear”.  Thanks, I responded, you just made 3 nervous guys from NJ very happy.  We continued in the darkness for another hour or so, watching small towns seen as patches of light pass under the wing tips from time to time.  Finally, time to descend into Sedona.  We approach from the NE and are thankful for the MSA posted on the approach chart.  I’m also glad the synthetic vision on the Aspen paints the terrain as there is no moon tonight.  We fly a standard pattern, keeping a sharp eye on the VASI and land to the North.  As we taxi toward the FBO, a familiar voice comes over the radio.  It’s a friend who lives in AZ – He’s at the bar in the airport restaurant.  We head over for a drink and dinner.

 

The next morning, we’re up before the sun and take some air to air pictures in the morning light.  My friend flew up from Tucson and we were able to use his plane as the other platform.  I simply cannot distill to words how amazing the scenery is in Sedona.  The red rocks painted by morning sun were incredible.  Even more amazing for a NJ dweller is the wildlife.  Back East, we worry about deer on the field.  While walking from the hotel to the FBO, I passed a snake and a scorpion.  Then while preflighting, a pack of wolves wandered across the runway.  I’ll take deer and seagulls thanks.

 

Goodbyes said, it was time to launch the next leg to Telluride, CO.  We’d come this far so I couldn’t just punch direct-to.  I had to see the Grand Canyon.  Another simple departure and we set course to Grand Canyon VOR.  Out of the valley and over the high desert of Northern AZ.  We were there in less than an hour and followed the published VFR procedures through the Zuni corridor.  Again, I took in the amazing sights and tried unsuccessfully to put it into perspective.

 

Near the top of the corridor, we turn East following the Little Colorado river past Tuba City and a bunch of small towns.  Again, not wanting to miss an attraction, we headed toward Monument Valley in Southern Utah.  This time, we were able to get much closer to the features without National Park Service flight rules to worry about.  Once through the valley, it was direct Telluride (actually, we followed the approach from Dove Creek for terrain avoidance).  Talk about an interesting field.  7,000 feet long at an elevation of 9,040 feet.  The DA when we arrived was 11,600.  On top of this, the field in a box canyon and sloped upward (i.e. arrive uphill into the canyon, depart downhill out of the canyon).  Sheer drops on 3 sides of the runway with granite on the 4^th side.  We spent the night in the center of town, enjoying the uncharacteristically warm weather.

 

The next morning, we were up early in anticipation of the long day of flying back to NJ.  Unfortunately, so were the winds.  We originally planned on picking our way through the mountain passes near Gunnison and Salina to break out at CO Springs but given the wind, it just wasn’t safe to do so plan B was in effect.  That meant back out to the West, then South to Santa Fe, then over the low Rockies toward home.  When we got to the airport, the windsock at the East end of the field (the preferred departure side of the field) was straight out and spinning around the post.  Super.  As our scan progressed down the runway to the West, the windsocks were more favorable.  The decision was made to depart toward the West.

 

OAT: 35’F, winds (per ASOS at the West end of the field): W@15g22, DA: 10,400, Fuel: <40% capacity for weight.  We line up on RWY 27, set full throttle, lean to max power and release the brakes.  We’re up in 1,200 feet, start climbing and then the wind shifts and we settle all the way back to the runway.  Power to idle, stop in the remaining mile of runway and return to the FBO to consider options.  Thankfully, after about half an hour, the winds became very consistent out of the East (yup, 180’ turn).  No one wants to take off into a box canyon, but when the winds insist, we obliged.  The departure was bumpy as we moved through the wind currents.  We continued to climb and settled in at 13.5k for a smooth ride along the West side of the Rockies.  We passed Los Alamos and started our descent into Santa Fe.  One more in a string of uneventful VFR arrivals. 

 

Full of fuel we launched to the East.  Up over the last of the Rockies towards Las Vegas, New Mexico then direct to Missouri.  As we reached our cruising altitude of 13.5k, our fuel burn was 8.2gph and we were enjoying 20+kts right on the tail.  Looking at the XM synoptic picture of winds aloft and running through a couple of fuel calculations, it looked like we could eliminate a fuel stop if the winds continued to be favorable.  Sure enough, we had perfect VFR weather all the way to Indianapolis.  That leg was 6.5 hours – we landed at Indianapolis (Eagle Creek) with 12 gallons in the tanks – a personal endurance record.

 

After dinner at Rick’s Boatyard Café, we were off on the last leg of our journey to Trenton.  The departure just before sunset was in beautiful (if slightly hazy) VFR weather.  Not far ahead though, a cold front was paralleling our course and there was weather associated.  We started at 11k dancing around build ups but as the weather built and temperatures dropped, we eventually dropped to 7k after finding some ice.  The good news is that the tailwind we enjoyed all the way across the country persisted, in fact, it intensified yielding ground speeds of 190kts at times.  The bad news is that there was a fair amount of turbulence and rain.  On top of that, the temp dew point spread at home was narrowing.  As we passed Pittsburgh and Johnstown, the weather calmed down and by Harrisburg, we were between layers.  As we neared Trenton, the tower had long since closed and ASOS was reporting ceilings above minimums.  We executed the ILS-6 and broke out around 600 feet in a steady light rain.

 

Looking back, it was a trip I’d wanted to take since I started flying in the 80’s and it just fell into  my lap.  If I had to do it again, I’d take more time to smell the roses.  37 hours of flying over 5 days is a lot.

[Seth]

SOUNDS AMAZING - Glad you had such a great trip!!  I'm planning to fly to Reno from the east coast in September.  When I flew accross the country in 2010, I had the same thoughts as you - about 40 hours total flying, but I didn't spend enough time in each location - always build in more time relax at your destination.

-Seth

 

[KSMooniac]

Sounds like a fun trip!  Something that can only be enjoyed via GA, and especially in a Mooney.    I've done similar long trips to both coasts from Wichita and hope to do another one this summer to Delaware specifically, plus whatever seems interesting along the way and back.

[KSMooniac]

Speaking of coyotes, I'll add a funny story from my college line service days in TX.  We had a pretty good sized controlled field, but usually not very busy.  There were woods to the west and south that held deer, coyotes, etc.  Every now and then the tower would call down to our line shack and get us to chase something off of the runway on a 4-wheeler.  Well, Wile E Coyote lived in those woods and he would pretty much taunt us every now and then.  One day he loped on out to the runway, and proceeded to go #2 while looking our direction, then promptly ran back to the woods.

[co2bruce]

Sounds great. Very good write-up. Makes me want to get out and travel. I would love to plan a trip to Alaska from my home base here in South Florida. Always wanted to fly there, and also ride my motorcycle there. Damn now you have me scratching my head thinking. 

[Cruiser]

where are the pictures from the wing mounted cameras?

[jdrake]

The producer is still working on the raw video.  In fact, we're hoping to get a glimpse some time this weekend.

Will gladly share once I get a copy.

A couple more pics to share: The approach and ramp surrounded by granite at Telluride.  If you're able to zoom in on the approach pic, check out the syn vis painting all of the surrounding terrain.