Flying from Henderson NV to Salinas

S

SportPilotCO

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
185
Location
Colorado Springs CO
Display Name
Display name:
CarlH
I am looking at flying from Colorado Springs out to the Salinas AOPA fly-in in a couple weeks. I plan to go from KFLY to KHND on the first day, and then the second leg on day two. Of course it is still a question of the weather. What I am curious about is thoughts from those who have flown this route, or similar routes. I have been looking at the range complexes west and southwest of Las Vegas heading to the west. It looks like the two obvious options are to head further south, basically along I-15 and head up central CA to the northwest to Salinas/Monterey or to go around R-2505 and then go across the Sierra Nevada's where they drop down in elevation to the south.

I am most likely going to be going across the area on Friday, so I am assuming that most of the restricted areas will be hot. I do plan on doing flight following for as much of that flight as I possibly can. I enjoy busy and challenging airspaces, but also want to find the way that looks safest.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks
Carl
 
Have done Vegas a few times outta KWVI which is right next door to KSNS...here is pretty much the route I take:

http://skyvector.com/?ll=35.5829477...17.4113006553265:A.K2.L71:A.K2.KTSP:A.K2.KSNS

If you have a GPS, it is pretty easy to "shoot the gap" as is is referred to even by ATC between R-2505 and R-2524...but R-2505 has been cold more times than not for me. Last trip is was only hot to 6000' so I was able to buzz right through at 8500'. You can also do it purely visual if you plan well enough. Once ya get though the "gap" pretty much follow HWY 58 over Tehachapi Pass to Bakersfield then it is a straight shot to KSNS. That will give ya the lowest terrain to cross with the most direct route.

Keep in mind that the winds can easily pick up over the Tehachapi Pass in the afternoons. If it will be high winds, the So Cal route may be more advisable.
 
Last edited:
What kind of plane? If it's an A65 Taylorcraft, go south. If it's a T210, go direct.
 
It is a Gobosh 700. It is a 100 HP S-LSA, but I have flown it into Leadville CO and other high altitude places multiple times in the past.

Shawn.. thanks for that. Great info. Do you usually have decent luck with flight following out that way? I have heard the extremes out of Vegas that they will provide it no problems, and others saying not to bother calling. I have only been denied FF once due to workload from Colorado east, but haven't flown out there yet.

Thanks
Carl
 
I personally have never been denied FF and use it on almost every flight I take...they have always been pretty accommodating but haven't flown around LAS Bravo during peak times which is Friday night with everyone flying into Vegas and Sunday night with everyone leaving. I have had some spotty coverage heading towards R2505 staying under 10,000' but was always able to re-establish with Joshua Approach pretty quick which is on 120.25.

Once you get to Joshua Approach and further west...controllers are VERY accommodating.
 
Last edited:
Shawn said:
Have done Vegas a few times outta KWVI which is right next door to KSNS...here is pretty much the route I take:

http://skyvector.com/?ll=35.5829477...17.4113006553265:A.K2.L71:A.K2.KTSP:A.K2.KSNS

If you have a GPS, it is pretty easy to "shoot the gap" as is is referred to even by ATC between R-2505 and R-2524...but R-2505 has been cold more times than not for me. Last trip is was only hot to 6000' so I was able to buzz right through at 8500'. You can also do it purely visual if you plan well enough. Once ya get though the "gap" pretty much follow HWY 58 over Tehachapi Pass to Bakersfield then it is a straight shot to KSNS. That will give ya the lowest terrain to cross with the most direct route.

Keep in mind that the winds can easily pick up over the Tehachapi Pass in the afternoons. If it will be high winds, the So Cal route may be more advisable.
Click to expand...

Once you clear the gap at Trona and get south of China Lake, depending on the weather you may not have to go as far south as Tehachipe, you may be an,e to head west to Kern Valley and Lake Isabella and cross the Sierra Nevada mountains there.

Joshua approach will provide flight following, they may not see you on the eastern part of the MOA. But they will tell you if its hot and not recommended to traverse. Back up plan is south along I-15 to Baker, Barstow, Mojave and Tehachipe. Joshua approach will get you across the Edwards airspace when they can. Normally the R airspace around Ft Irwin is always hot. (Closed)
 
What route did you take? I ended up not going due to clouds.
 
I got up at 4AM last Thursday morning and it didn't look great to be able to make it the whole way due to low ceilings along some of the route as well as some not so nice looking forecasts coming back to Colorado this past Sunday. As it turns out, it was a good call. I used some miles with American and flew out there commercial. I thought the event was fun. I probably could have gotten in there, but I suspect I would have had to leave my plane somewhere and get home commercial.

Carl
 
The clouds in the area weren't too bad in the afternoon, though there was quite a bit of marine layer in the morning. It was clear as close as Livermore, though. I went shooting approaches at Stockton, and every other instrument student in the region was out there, too. San Jose cleared around 10AM.

Today, the overcast has been solid at 2000 MSL or so all day.
 
olasek said:
I was there too, missed most of Macado's speech - the parts I heard were great. My wife liked the 'copilot' seminar.
Click to expand...

I tried to talk Mia into going to the co-pilot session, but she said, "i know how to be a passenger." But then, she's been forward enough to take several lessons on her own so that she'll feel comfortable at the controls. Salinas was our first fly-in, even though we drove, and we both enjoyed it.
 
I attended most of Garmin's presentation, was surprised to learn that aviation is only 14% of Garmin's total business.
 
Last edited:
olasek said:
I attended most of Garmin's presentation, was surprised to learn that aviation is only 14% of Garmin's total business.
Click to expand...


I'm surprised it's even that much. Aviation is a very "niche" market. The rest of Garmin serves the mainstream.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top