Flying into Albuquerque.

RalphInCA

RalphInCA

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RalphInCA
Any Albuquerque pilots out there? I am tentatively planning a cross country from Southern California (CCB – cable) to Albuquerque in a couple of weeks.

I noticed that Albuquerque is surrounded by some pretty high mountains and the field elevation is approximately 5000 feet. Any words of wisdom for this VFR only 200 hour private pilot?

Aircraft will be a Cherokee 180.


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Study your performance and know density altitudes. Lean for start up, taxi and take off. 10,000 msl will get you around most of the elevated ground.

Thunderstorms are in the area. Most are single cell and are easy to navigate around this time of year.

Coming in to ABQ from the west is pretty flat. Just Mt. Taylor to go around, and that is easily done. I have heard VFR pilots at 7500 msl, and the military can go lower for training, usually at night.
 
I always used Double eagle II when I went to Albuquerque. It was easy and never any traffic.
 
Usually there is cheap gas at the little airpark due south of town - otherwise Zeld hit the high points of density altitude - don't try to depart at full gross wt on a hot afternoon. If you do try to depart near gross weight plan on a long taxi down the runway and a slow climb. Leaning for best power is your friend. If you don't know how to do it then rent some CFI time to learn.
 
Looks like I will need to get some high DA training before I go. Big Bear here I come! Thanks guys!
 
RalphInCA said:
Looks like I will need to get some high DA training before I go. Big Bear here I come! Thanks guys!
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High DA is nothing to get streaks in your underwear over. Lean for max RPM and adjust in the climb/descent.

Leaving California and crossing the desert mid day is going to be more interesting TB wise and early afternoon TS wise.

Leave sun-up and not 9-10 am or you're going to really be behind beating the heat/weather/storms above.
 
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As Dan says. DA will be a non issue. Its the Thunderstorms in the afternoon coming home I would be worried about.
 
I second Double Eagle II. Although I've landed at Sunport, Double Eagle has much less traffic. I always check in with ABQ Approach when about 30 miles out. It's helpful due to all the traffic in and out of Sunport. As others have mentioned, adjust for DA and watch the pop-up T-storms.
 
NJP_MAN said:
I always used Double eagle II when I went to Albuquerque. It was easy and never any traffic.
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Same here. Double Eagle is a piece of cake to get in and out of.

I didn't think that there was much to worry about with DA there, but it is something to be aware of if you're accustomed to operating at lower altitudes all the time. I wouldn't let that stop you from making the trip. You'll likely notice the longer ground roll and climb performance but the runways there are plenty long enough.
 
RalphInCA said:
Looks like I will need to get some high DA training before I go. Big Bear here I come! Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I'm from ABQ.

When your runways are all 7000ft or longer, DA is a non-event. Even less so if you take off in the morning or evening.

Coming into ABQ from any direction is a snap - 7500 or so will get you over most everything, and those which it won't get you over, it will get you around/through.

You'll probably be taking V12 (or close to it). Keep your eyes on a swivel around the VORs out there as pilots approach from all directions and altitudes.

Edit: KABQ is better than KAEG, hands down. Easy in/out, and you don't have to deal with Bode. Gas is expensive, so if you want to buy gas, go to either Belen or go a bit further to Moriarty instead. Both KAEG and KABQ are expensive as hell for gas.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Mid-Valley (E98). Nice little place and considerably cheaper fuel than ABQ or AEG.
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That's the one. Don't take a picky pax there though...the "facilities" are construction site standard...
 
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