Help Planning a Big Trip

birdus

birdus

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Jay Williams
Although I'm still just a student, I'm working on planning a big trip I want to take after I have my certificate. Let me give the bird's eye view of the plan first.

Phase I
Tacoma to Brownsville, TX—5-7 days

Phase II
Brownsville to San Diego right along the entire U.S./Mexico border, stopping at airports along the way and walking over into Mexico to sight see and spend the night—around 10 days

Phase III
San Diego to Tacoma—5-6 days

I'm shooting for April, as the weather along the border will be comfortable. Here's my tentative itinerary.

Phase I
Thun Field->Twin Falls, ID->Page, AZ->Santa Fe->Alamagordo->Midland->Brownsville

The only places I'm firm about are Alamagordo (friend there), and, to a lesser extent, Midland, as I own some mineral rights near where my dad was born and raised and I wanted to check out the crazy oil fields there.

Phase II
Brownsville->Laredo->Del Rio->Presidio->El Paso->Douglas->Calexico->San Diego (Brown Field)

I will cross the border in most of these places, but I will plan on landing at airports in addition to these along the border. I plan on flying around 1,000 AGL and around 1,000 feet from the border the entire way (could adjust this). I suspect that will give the best video perspective, and I plan on documenting the entire trip, including 100% of the border. I won't shoot video of 100% of the entire trip, just the border. The rest of the trip will be edited to much shorter video lengths, maybe a 20-30 minute final video per day (all editing done after I get home).

Phase III
San Diego (Brown Field)->Los Angeles->Carson City->North Bend, OR->KPUL
I'd like to land in Amboy for lunch (from LA), fly over Mt. Whitney and maybe through Death Valley, and drive (a rental) from Carson City to Virginia City (Mark Twain lived there), then fly along the coast during the latter part of the trip.

I plan on flying mostly early in the morning (for smooth air and good light), usually around 4 hours a day. I'm interested in suggestions for airports to visit, either instead of or in addition to those I've listed, although I'll try to land at pretty much every airport along the border, so there probably isn't much in the way of flexibility possible there. My wife will almost certainly not come along, so I'll have full fuel and still be under gross even with whatever I carry with me. Besides airport suggestions, I'm interested in any tips for a new pilot.

Thanks,
Jay
 
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are you familiar with skyvector? there's no way I'm looking up all those locations, but if you at least filled in a flight plan in skyvector with any airport in each location, it would make it easier for me to visualize the trip. know what I'm saying?
 
birdus said:
Basically, line from Tacoma to Brownsville, then U.S./Mexico border, then line from San Diego to Tacoma. I'll try to upload a graphic later.
Click to expand...

yeah, I actually punched in KTIW to KBRO. that's about 1800 miles. there are a gazillion airports in-between. you could get a gazillion different answers.
 
eman1200 said:
yeah, I actually punched in KTIW to KBRO. that's about 1800 miles. there are a gazillion airports in-between. you could get a gazillion different answers.
Click to expand...

For anyone who doesn't have any great suggestions of the top of your head, don't sweat it. I'm sure I'll see plenty of interesting stuff, even without other people's suggestions. In fact, I imagine it would be hard not to have a great trip. By the way, I wasn't expecting one "perfect" answer. If I get lots of suggestions, then that's great!

Just threw this together in Google maps. This is the gist of the trip.

LuscombeRoadTrip.PNG
 
Now you're talking! There is so much friggin scenery in AZ I couldn't recommend leaving it out unless you've BTDT.
 
Why the intense focus on the US/Mex border? I'm truly curious as I've dreamed about a Brownsville to Midland tour from Ohio along the border with plenty of R&R in Big Bend NP.
 
You will make the Border Patrol very nervous with phase II; this will trip the “suspicious” flag for them. You’ll want to coordinate carefully with CBP in advance, so as to avoid being greeted upon landing by gentlemen with questions.
(Not an expert in border flying... have just heard stories.)

Stop in Sedona, AZ, or anywhere around those red rocks...
How about Kern Valley CA? Very beautiful, has camping and breakfast cafe.
Columbia, CA, for more nice camping and fun “olde towne” you can walk to.
 
Plus watch out for those big tethered CBP balloons. I saw the one down by Sierra Vista, AZ. Pretty sure there are more, especially along the Texas border.
 
@birdus - what type of plane will you be flying on this trip?

First thought that comes to mind is a Garmin In-Reach.
Depending on the plane and total flight hours I'm thinking you'll be needing at least one oil change along the way - where will you do that?
This is also a long enough trip that along with your regular flying beforehand you might have a AD to comply along the way (eg. 100hr Cessna Seat Rail inspection).
I wouldn't rule out some early evening flights as well. Its awesome to launch about 2hrs before sunset and land just before sunset when its calm and cooled off. Obviously use your best judgement on that one especially around big tall rocky things and April T-Storms.
If your plane isn't rigged to fly hands off when trimmed you might want to have that looked at before you leave. Disregard if you have a AP.
Lots of threads here on survival stuff. Definitely bring at least a couple different credit cards. Lots of 100LL self serve card readers don't take AMEX or Discover.
 
Swing through the Grand Canyon and follow the river to page, then keep following it to Monument valley. If you’re passing through Moab, land and rent a car for a couple hours to drive through Arches National Park. Amazing stuff.
 
kath said:
You will make the Border Patrol very nervous with phase II; this will trip the “suspicious” flag for them. You’ll want to coordinate carefully with CBP in advance, so as to avoid being greeted upon landing by gentlemen with questions.
(Not an expert in border flying... have just heard stories.)
Click to expand...


Please don’t do that.

If people ask for permission for things that don’t require it, soon they will require it.

Just do your thing and don’t worry and if confronted don’t resist but don’t help or give info and record everything.


8-CBACA71-2033-4-E21-9-B8-E-758321-F1-D774.jpg


http://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/News/All News/2013/June/CBPGuidelinesKneeboard.pdf
 
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iflyvfr said:
Why the intense focus on the US/Mex border? I'm truly curious as I've dreamed about a Brownsville to Midland tour from Ohio along the border with plenty of R&R in Big Bend NP.
Click to expand...

I love Latin culture and Mexican food and would enjoy spending some time down there, and I also think there would be a lot of interest (including by me) in seeing the border, given the intense politics surrounding it these days.
 
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kath said:
You will make the Border Patrol very nervous with phase II;
Click to expand...

I don't believe that's accurate, but I'll certainly find out. I've e-mailed the FAA and they didn't seem to think much of it. I'll file a DVFR flight plan each day, and I'll be landing at airports along the border that people use every day. In any event, I'll pass the word along.
 
Sinistar said:
Plus watch out for those big tethered CBP balloons. I saw the one down by Sierra Vista, AZ. Pretty sure there are more, especially along the Texas border.
Click to expand...

I've found one in Texas on the sectional, but I haven't seen any others along the border. I'll certainly keep my eyes peeled, though. Thanks for the tip.
 
Sinistar said:
@birdus - what type of plane will you be flying on this trip?

First thought that comes to mind is a Garmin In-Reach.
Depending on the plane and total flight hours I'm thinking you'll be needing at least one oil change along the way - where will you do that?
This is also a long enough trip that along with your regular flying beforehand you might have a AD to comply along the way (eg. 100hr Cessna Seat Rail inspection).
I wouldn't rule out some early evening flights as well. Its awesome to launch about 2hrs before sunset and land just before sunset when its calm and cooled off. Obviously use your best judgement on that one especially around big tall rocky things and April T-Storms.
If your plane isn't rigged to fly hands off when trimmed you might want to have that looked at before you leave. Disregard if you have a AP.
Lots of threads here on survival stuff. Definitely bring at least a couple different credit cards. Lots of 100LL self serve card readers don't take AMEX or Discover.
Click to expand...

Lots of great tips and suggestions. I have a Luscombe 8E. Probably should've mentioned that. No auto pilot. I did recently have a remote oil filter installed and so oil change interval is 50 hours, which I estimate will be about the amount of time it take to fly this trip—5,000 miles at 100 mph.

Thanks again for all the thoughts. Lots of good stuff which I will consider and do!
 
birdus said:
Lots of great tips and suggestions. I have a Luscombe 8E. Probably should've mentioned that. No auto pilot. I did recently have a remote oil filter installed and so oil change interval is 50 hours, which I estimate will be about the amount of time it take to fly this trip—5,000 miles at 100 mph.

Thanks again for all the thoughts. Lots of good stuff which I will consider and do!
Click to expand...
You might consider that weather may delay your trip and extend you beyond the planned 50 hours. Always have a plan B / contingency. Another POA poster, Peter Ha, recently completed a loooonngg XC from somewhere east of Texas to CA and it took him almost two weeks (IIRC) with several weather delays. Have fun on this trip. It sounds like a great experience!
 
Lots of cool things and places to see/visit on that route.
My advice is to give yourself plenty of flexibility for the exact schedule. This kind of trip can be a dream come true in good conditions, or turn into a nightmare in bad weather. So look for clouds and wind, and commit to only proceeding when the weather makes it a no-brainer. You'll have plenty of time to learn how to deal with adverse conditions later on.

Should be fun!

- Martin
 
Martin Pauly said:
Lots of cool things and places to see/visit on that route.
My advice is to give yourself plenty of flexibility for the exact schedule. This kind of trip can be a dream come true in good conditions, or turn into a nightmare in bad weather. So look for clouds and wind, and commit to only proceeding when the weather makes it a no-brainer. You'll have plenty of time to learn how to deal with adverse conditions later on.

Should be fun!

- Martin
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement and tips, Martin! I appreciate it! I've enjoyed a number of your YouTube videos.

Jay
 
Border flight will be in the adiz; rules say flight plan required although most don’t.
How will you get to Mexico?
If you fly across there are some requirements, a bit of a pain.
You likely won’t be able to take a courtesy/crew car across. Most car rentals here say no Mexico trips.
I wouldnt bother.
 
birdus said:
I love Latin culture and Mexican food and would enjoy spending some time down there, and I also think there would be a lot of interest (including by me) in seeing the border, given the intense politics surrounding it these days.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, the culture and food you're looking for isn't really "walkable across the border". You really need to go further in country because the border towns are mostly tourist traps these days.

I lived in Arizona for 7 years, parents lived there 40 yrs. After a while, they wouldn't even go to Nogales, which, in the past, they loved.

BTW there are balloons and other items along the AZ&NM/Sonora border, along with a LOT and MOAs and such. Take a look at a sectional...lots of AZ and NM (and southern California) belongs to the military.
 
As someone who flies in Southern AZ...well because I live in Southern AZ, don't let the Border Patrol, the tethered balloon in Sierra Vista, the UAVs or the MOAs cause much concern. They aren't.
 
This looks like a great adventure!
I would suggest, looking at your proposed route legs across some of the higher elevation areas (Idaho, Utah, Sedona, AZ, Alamogordo, etc., that at some point in your training (if you haven't already), you gain a thorough understanding of high density altitude operations in your plane. If that can't be reasonably done from your home base (Seattle area, right?), then perhaps schedule some training with a CFI based at one of your stops at "the foothills" of the higher country.
 
Jay, awesome trip planned... good for you!

I second all the comments about "flexibility". Take your time, make cautious decisions, and just relax and enjoy.

In addition to hopping along the border on the US side, or perhaps partially instead of, I'd suggest at least one flying foray into Mexico. My suggestion would be to depart southwest Arizona or SoCal and fly to San Felipe, Baja California... say for an overnight. That way you learn about flying into Mexico and also get to experience firsthand the "real Mexico". San Felipe is reasonably safe and representative of the Mexico flying experience... and the Baja is strikingly beautiful.

Some references in this regard that might be of some help in preparations:
Enjoy every moment, including the substantial and gratifying planning aspects!
Best regards,
Wayne
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Border flight will be in the adiz; rules say flight plan required although most don’t.
How will you get to Mexico?
If you fly across there are some requirements, a bit of a pain.
You likely won’t be able to take a courtesy/crew car across. Most car rentals here say no Mexico trips.
I wouldnt bother.
Click to expand...

For each day's flight, I plan on filing DVFR. I'm not big on rules and obeying bureaucrats, but I intend on sticking by the rules pretty closely along this border trip.

When the border isn't walking distance from the airport, I plan on taking a taxi/uber to the border. Then, I'll cross on foot. Hopping over into to Mexico at airports along the border is an important part of the trip to me, so I will definitely "bother."

Jay
 
murphey said:
Unfortunately, the culture and food you're looking for isn't really "walkable across the border". You really need to go further in country because the border towns are mostly tourist traps these days.

I lived in Arizona for 7 years, parents lived there 40 yrs. After a while, they wouldn't even go to Nogales, which, in the past, they loved.

BTW there are balloons and other items along the AZ&NM/Sonora border, along with a LOT and MOAs and such. Take a look at a sectional...lots of AZ and NM (and southern California) belongs to the military.
Click to expand...

In 2008, I quit my job and backpacked all over Latin America for about a year. I'm looking forward to discovering what the border towns are like, even if they turn out to be tourist traps. Thanks for your perspective.

Jay

http://travelsinlatinamerica.blogspot.com/
 
wayneda40 said:
Jay, awesome trip planned... good for you!

I second all the comments about "flexibility". Take your time, make cautious decisions, and just relax and enjoy.

In addition to hopping along the border on the US side, or perhaps partially instead of, I'd suggest at least one flying foray into Mexico. My suggestion would be to depart southwest Arizona or SoCal and fly to San Felipe, Baja California... say for an overnight. That way you learn about flying into Mexico and also get to experience firsthand the "real Mexico". San Felipe is reasonably safe and representative of the Mexico flying experience... and the Baja is strikingly beautiful.

Some references in this regard that might be of some help in preparations:
Enjoy every moment, including the substantial and gratifying planning aspects!
Best regards,
Wayne
Click to expand...

Hey, Wayne. Thanks for chiming in and for the encouragement. I guess I felt like flying into Mexico might be biting off more than I could chew. However, at your suggestion, I'll check out those links and do some investigating. I'm certainly not opposed to it, and it might just add even more to the adventure.

Jay
 
birdus said:
Hey, Wayne. Thanks for chiming in and for the encouragement. I guess I felt like flying into Mexico might be biting off more than I could chew. However, at your suggestion, I'll check out those links and do some investigating. I'm certainly not opposed to it, and it might just add even more to the adventure.
Jay
Click to expand...

Jay, I believe that a flying foray into Mexico, e.g. San Felipe, would add big time to your adventure! PM me if you'd like to chat in detail about the logistics. If available, I might even volunteer to meet you stateside (e.g. KCXL) and sit right seat in your Luscombe for an overnight stay in the Baja :).
Buen viaje!
Wayne
 
Watch your fuel, and call ahead to make sure the fields your plan to land at have fuel, Fuel can be a long way off out in the Big Bend Area. Stop at Terrell County (6R6) to top off before heading down into the Big Bend. Big Bend National Park is a "sensitive nesting area" If I recall you need to be 2000 AGL over Big Bend National Park. Big Bend State Park 3T9 would be a great place to Spend the night. Camp under your wing or sleep in the Bunk House. Very little ground transportation, There is also a Pvt Strip in Terlingua called Fulcher not to be confused with Terlingua Ranch (1ET) I have never landed Fulcher but I understand that you can land there and rent a jeep. Check with some of the local Outfitters they might have up to date information
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/outfitters.htm
If you can you should drive back thru Big Bend National Park to Rio Grand Village where you can cross the River to Boquillas Mexico, a little Mexican Village. Lajitas has turned into a High priced resort and the airfield (T89) is a long way from the resort, they show to sell fuel now but I would check.Call first it is a Pvt Strip. Back in the day you could land right down by the town on a dirt strip, but now they have built a large runway about 5 miles out of town for jets. This sound like a great trip. I might add that you should head down to Port Aransas Texas then fly the Beach south to the Rio Grande then into to Brownsville for the start of your trip. It would not be much out of your way. I have criss crossed this area many time's on Jeep's, Motorcycles and in My Cardinal.
 
Douglas to Calexico on the border will be tough. The R-2301 is one of the busiest restricted areas in the country, even on weekends. Yuma range may let you in but I wouldn't plan on it. Military uses it for Low Altitude Training, Air to Air, etc. CBP flies a lot on the border. Take a look at V66 just in case, or figure out the flying into Mexico thing. Also, watch your fuel on that leg. I've landed at Sells (E78) twice and both times fuel was unavailable. I might have missed when you're doing this but if it's spring/summer bring water!
 
c177tx said:
Watch your fuel, and call ahead to make sure the fields your plan to land at have fuel, Fuel can be a long way off out in the Big Bend Area. Stop at Terrell County (6R6) to top off before heading down into the Big Bend. Big Bend National Park is a "sensitive nesting area" If I recall you need to be 2000 AGL over Big Bend National Park. Big Bend State Park 3T9 would be a great place to Spend the night. Camp under your wing or sleep in the Bunk House. Very little ground transportation, There is also a Pvt Strip in Terlingua called Fulcher not to be confused with Terlingua Ranch (1ET) I have never landed Fulcher but I understand that you can land there and rent a jeep. Check with some of the local Outfitters they might have up to date information
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/outfitters.htm
If you can you should drive back thru Big Bend National Park to Rio Grand Village where you can cross the River to Boquillas Mexico, a little Mexican Village. Lajitas has turned into a High priced resort and the airfield (T89) is a long way from the resort, they show to sell fuel now but I would check.Call first it is a Pvt Strip. Back in the day you could land right down by the town on a dirt strip, but now they have built a large runway about 5 miles out of town for jets. This sound like a great trip. I might add that you should head down to Port Aransas Texas then fly the Beach south to the Rio Grande then into to Brownsville for the start of your trip. It would not be much out of your way. I have criss crossed this area many time's on Jeep's, Motorcycles and in My Cardinal.
Click to expand...

Lots of great tips! Thanks!
 
So did the trip ever happen?

birdus said:
Death Valley
Click to expand...
Furnace Creek has camping.. recommend!

birdus said:
land in Amboy
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is anything open down there? I didn't land there but flew right over it this past weekend.. looked pretty abandoned.. I am not sure if anything is actually open down there, or if what had been open before survived pandemic

upload_2021-3-21_19-45-3.png
 
Use "Flight Following" especially along the boarder. If you have a discrete code and are talking with ATC you won't need worry about CBP.
 
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