Flying around the Superstition Mountains in AZ

[azpilot]

Hi everyone! I just earned my private certificate a few weeks ago. I live in the Phoenix Metro area and fly out of KCHD. I am really excited to take my dad flying. I asked him where he would like to go and he said he would like to see the Superstiation Mountains from the air. As soon as he mentioned that I have to admit I was a little bit intimidated. Having done most of my flight training out of KCHD, I mostly flew to the South of the valley. All of my cross country (minus one flight to Wikenburg) was to the south.

Looking at the sectional and TAC charts, I am thinking it would be best to depart KCHD, and head North past Falcon, (while being mindful of the Bravo), then follow the salt river and various lakes and dams up to Roosevelt Lake. I'll make sure to stay at least 2,000' AGL to honor the marked wilderness area.

On the way back home I figured we follow the lakes back to Canyon Lake, then head south over Apache Junction, transition the Gateway airspace, and then come back home to KCHD.

Any general thoughts on that plan? Anything I should be aware of? I plan on running all of this by my instructor as well. I know he won't be shy about sharing his opinion with me.

 

[dans2992]

Sounds like a fine plan. Yes, you'll definitely have a pucker factor if you're engine quits, but hey, it's a risk walking out the door in the morning.

Just don't get too slow while you're sightseeing.

If your engine does quit, keep in mind that ditching in one of the lakes is much preferable to flying into the side of a cliff....

 

[azpilot]

There's not a lot of options if the engine quits in some of the areas you plan to fly over. Altitude is your friend in situations like that. As a newly minted private pilot, how do you feel about your skills to put the airplane down precisely where you need to in a minimum amount of time? If you must go up into that area, I recommend much more than 2000 AGL. I think it's a bad plan. Also be aware that military training aircraft occasionally fly along the Salt River at low altitudes and high speeds. They talk to no one and cannot be seen on ATC radar.

I have seen the Apache's flying low over the Salt when tubing down the river. I definitely don't want to get in their way.

I'll have a good chat with my instructor about it as well and see what he thinks a good altitude would be.

 

[docmirror]

Go early. Enjoy. Keep it mostly straight and level with new pax.

 

[azpilot]

Sounds like a fine plan. Yes, you'll definitely have a pucker factor if you're engine quits, but hey, it's a risk walking out the door in the morning.

Just don't get too slow while you're sightseeing.

If your engine does quit, keep in mind that ditching in one of the lakes is much preferable to flying into the side of a cliff....

The general plan would be for my dad to do the sightseeing while I fly the airplane and stay away from the cliffs!

 

[dans2992]

Kind of off topic, but where do you rent from?

 

[azpilot]

Kind of off topic, but where do you rent from?

Wings270 at KCHD. They have three 172's over there, a 150 and an Arrow. I did about half my flight training in the 150 and the other half split between the three 172s.

 

[Fearless Tower]

If you are 2000 AGL, you probably won't have any conflicts with the helos. They tend to stay low. I believe the floor of the Outlaw MOA is around 8000 MSL, but you might want to check that. Personally, if I were taking someone up to scenic flight of the Superstitions, I'd follow highway 60 toward Miami, then go north toward Roosevelt Lake. Fly over the dam and then follow the river back toward the valley.

I'd depart early to lessen the heat/turbulence, but you probably have that figured out already.

 

[azpilot]

If you are 2000 AGL, you probably won't have any conflicts with the helos. They tend to stay low. I believe the floor of the Outlaw MOA is around 8000 MSL, but you might want to check that. Personally, if I were taking someone up to scenic flight of the Superstitions, I'd follow highway 60 toward Miami, then go north toward Roosevelt Lake. Fly over the dam and then follow the river back toward the valley.

I'd depart early to lessen the heat/turbulence, but you probably have that figured out already.

That is a great suggestion! I'll make sure to double check the details on the MOA as well.

 

[CT4ME]

How'd it work out? If you haven't gone already, you might try breakfast at P13, San Carlos (Globe). It's right across the street from the Casino, where they have good breakfast specials.
EARLY a.m. is a must, especially this time of year. Being back home by 9am is a good idea. Going or coming, a flight over the Mtns and the Lakes (and Fountain Hills) will be great. Watch the 5K Bravo.