Madison to Flagstaff low and slow

wby0nder

wby0nder

Cleared for Takeoff
Joined
Aug 29, 2006
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Iowa
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Display name:
Matt Michael
Looks like I might be assigned to fly a Citabria from Madison WI, to Flagstaff AZ. A pal is moving and needs the airplane relocated. Probably sometime in early to mid June.

I think this one has 125hp up front.

Open to hearing suggestions for route, stops, do's and don'ts from those who've been there done that.

MM
 
Just south of Flagstaff is Sedona, which you'd be a fool not to fly into, as it is simply gorgeous.

The route through Albuquerque is fairly easy, without dealing with too much of the high stuff, assuming you can stay VFR (in a Citabria, I believe that is your only choice).

Get to V12, and just weave through the mountains as you have to.
 
It's pretty much a straight line to Tucumcari, NM (4500 then 6500 AGL). Once past there at 8500, follow I-40 a bit to Santa Rosa, NM then around ABQ (north or south route to avoid the Sandia mountains). About midway between ABQ and GNT head SW to St Johns (KSJN) you'll need to go up to 9500/10500 but once at KSJN, back down to 8500, no problem.

Nice people and much cheaper fuel and only about 15 min longer. Then back up to Winslow (KINW) to follow I-40 back into Flagstaff.

Once past Texas make sure you're flying early morning. In fact, once into New Mexico, fly real early and try to be on the ground by lunch. Heat, density altitude, geography and westerly winds will make it miserable to fly.
 
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Obvious route mid-June is via Gaston's. Do I really need to spell it out for you? :dunno:
 
If you end up not being able to do it for some reason, please pass my name along. I mean, I'm right here! :D

(And I agree - Bring it to Gaston's! I'm bringing a Citabria this year too. :))
 
flyingcheesehead said:
If you end up not being able to do it for some reason, please pass my name along. I mean, I'm right here! :D

(And I agree - Bring it to Gaston's! I'm bringing a Citabria this year too. :))
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How the hell are you going to kidnap three sixteen year old girls with a Citabria?
 
Miami County (K81) near Paola, KS is a good fuel/food stop. We Be Smokin is a BBQ restaurant on the field (you might want to check the hours) and there is also a grass runway.

The Beaumont Hotel (SN07) is kinda on that route. You can land on the grass runway outside of town and taxi to the Hotel and eat (you might want to check those hours too) or spend the night at the hotel. There is no fuel there.

Cottonwood Falls (9K0) has a little grass strip on the edge of town and you can walk to town to eat. That one is on my list of grass strips to check out. One of the Citabria forum guys landed there and walked to town to eat not long ago.
 
jesse said:
How the hell are you going to kidnap three sixteen year old girls with a Citabria?
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I think we'd have to taxi to Mountain Home, it's only got 115hp so it'd never get off the ground at Gaston's. :rofl:

Of course, the real answer is "one at a time." And it's not kidnapping if they asked for a ride. :p
 
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