Planning a trip up the West Coast

[Will Kumley]

The Navy is moving me from southern California to Washington state which means I'm moving my plane from KOXR to 0S9 and am in the early planning stages to figure out a route and I'm hoping ya'll can help me out with any insight on places to stop or avoid. I'll be going with another pilot that is a CFII which could help me build more IFR time as I am getting close to having the required minimum for my checkride but also gives me another pilot in the event we run into any snags. My initial plan is to fly a coastal route North until I get somewhere near North Bend, Oregon when we can go inland a few miles to avoid any marine layers along the coast, this route also avoids any mountain crossing. I'm not opposed to a mountain crossing, I think the costal route will be more enjoyable and provides more outs if something goes wrong.

I plan for 85 knots cruising speed and my initial thoughts are to plan to fly from KOXR to KOTH. This looks to be around 7 hours of flight time which could be a long day but also shortens the required flight for the second day down to 3-ish hours. Has anyone else done a similar trip? If so, is there a different route you would consider or any airports you would say are a must stop at or to avoid at all costs barring an emergency?

 

[MountainDude]

I live in WA and have done that route both ways multiple times in a C182 (all VFR). We have also done 2 multi-day trips to KOTH.
Like any other long XC, each evening plan your route based on the weather forecast. Call ahead to confirm 100LL is available and the pumps are working/charging.
Your plan sounds good, but be ready to adjust each day.
KOTH has a great FBO and close-by lodging and restaurants.
For a stop, Paso Robles airport/FBO are fantastic.

 

[NordicDave]

+1 on @MountainDude recommendation to stop over at KPRB Paso Robles. The restaurant 29er is excellent and open until 2pm. If desired a good stay over option is KSAC Sacramento Executive in downtown Sacramento. It's easy to fly in/out with a boat load of hotel options.

 

[Domenick]

November-December-January are WA's and OR's worst weather.

I live in WA and have flown around the nearby states often. Back a few years, I left on an extensive solo VFR cross country in early October and returned in early November. Both ways, my planned route was along the Cascades west side basically following I-5. Departure weather immediately forced me into eastern WA over I-90. I flew south to Klamath Falls (KLMT) for a 2-day weather delay, then scooted around Mt. Shasta and into CA's central valley to follow I-5 south. The west side weather was worse.

On the way home from southern CA, I SHOULD have followed the same route, but decided to stick to the west side, and got stuck in Medford for four days. Managed to squeeze through a short weather window across OR and back home.

If you are flying this winter, regardless of your route you will likely be weather delayed. I suggest you plan a couple of routes. One, up I-5 along the west side, and the other up the east side and know where your escape routes across the mountains.

Just for fairness in reporting, I've had other weather delays on the east side as well, but not as commonly.

If you end up in eastern OR, overfly Crater Lake. If you manage the west side overfly Mt. St. Helens.

Welcome to WA and the Spruce Goose Cafe at Jefferson County (0S9) is renowned for their pie.

 

[Will Kumley]

+1 on @MountainDude recommendation to stop over at KPRB Paso Robles. The restaurant 29er is excellent and open until 2pm. If desired a good stay over option is KSAC Sacramento Executive in downtown Sacramento. It's easy to fly in/out with a boat load of hotel options.

I agree, PRB is a great airport and the diner is good. If we leave early enough in the morning it might be a good breakfast stop, but we may decide to push on as its only an hour and a half into the flight.

 

[Will Kumley]

November-December-January are WA's and OR's worst weather.

I live in WA and have flown around the nearby states often. Back a few years, I left on an extensive solo VFR cross country in early October and returned in early November. Both ways, my planned route was along the Cascades west side basically following I-5. Departure weather immediately forced me into eastern WA over I-90. I flew south to Klamath Falls (KLMT) for a 2-day weather delay, then scooted around Mt. Shasta and into CA's central valley to follow I-5 south. The west side weather was worse.

On the way home from southern CA, I SHOULD have followed the same route, but decided to stick to the west side, and got stuck in Medford for four days. Managed to squeeze through a short weather window across OR and back home.

If you are flying this winter, regardless of your route you will likely be weather delayed. I suggest you plan a couple of routes. One, up I-5 along the west side, and the other up the east side and know where your escape routes across the mountains.

Just for fairness in reporting, I've had other weather delays on the east side as well, but not as commonly.

If you end up in eastern OR, overfly Crater Lake. If you manage the west side overfly Mt. St. Helens.

Welcome to WA and the Spruce Goose Cafe at Jefferson County (0S9) is renowned for their pie.

Yes, weather can be an issue for sure up in Oregon and Washington this time of year. I have also mapped out a more inland route the entire way which puts us over some mountains. Not terrible but we are hopeful that we can fly the coast. As a good point, I'm on leave between commands at the moment so I am very flexible on timing. I do like the idea of flying over Crater Lake but I have to be careful of adding all the good sights between here and there as that could add significant time to the trip. Crater Lake would work with the inland route though.

 

[Klaus M]

Welcome to Washington. This website is quite helpful:

Airports list | WSDOT

A list of all the general and commercial airports in Washington State.

wsdot.wa.gov

The 'Camera Map' is very useful also:

https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/airports-list/airport-cameras-map

 

[Lndwarrior]

If you fly up the coast there are precious few beaches or landing spots for an engine out. A lot of sheer clifts, rocky coastline, and water temps that don't give a long time for survival. Also, costal winds are from the north 90% of the time, and much stronger than the inland winds. Flight plan should allow for 30 knot headwinds, right on the nose.

Personally, I would never consider this flight but everyone has their own risk tolerance.

Not sure what "mountain crossings" you are trying to avoid? In NorCal there is a short stretch west of Shasta which you can follow the highway. After that there arent and mountains to cross.

 

[Will Kumley]

In NorCal there is a short stretch west of Shasta which you can follow the highway. After that there arent and mountains to cross.

A friend of mine just flew that route a week ago and he had 60 knot headwinds as he flew over the highway. But if the weather and winds are right for it that is a route we are considering.

 

[Domenick]

Don't even think about a coastal XC during the winter. I've flown in WA for 23 years.
Right now the western WA forecast is for days of torrential rain and wind with low ceilings. At this moment, wind is moaning around the house and rain slapping the windows and drumming the roof.
West side forecast: https://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?state=WA&sta=KPAE
East side forecast: https://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KEPH&state=WA

Take your pick.

Come back in July-August along the coast.

 

[Will Kumley]

Don't even think about a coastal XC during the winter. I've flown in WA for 23 years.
Right now the western WA forecast is for days of torrential rain and wind with low ceilings. At this moment, wind is moaning around the house and rain slapping the windows and drumming the roof.
West side forecast: https://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?state=WA&sta=KPAE
East side forecast: https://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KEPH&state=WA

Take your pick.

Come back in July-August along the coast.

The majority of the "coastal" portion of the route is in California. Once in Oregon we would shift inland. But torrential rain and wind is concerning for our little fabric covered Colt.

 

[Flyhound]

Do you have a hangar lined up at 0S9? There is currently a waiting list for Port Owned hangars. Other hangars are privately owned and typically get traded via word of mouth and are seldom advertised. I don't know of any hangars available right now (I'm based at 0S9). If you are going to be stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, The DeLaurentis airport (KOKH in Oak Harbor) and the Whidbey Island Air Park (W10 on the south end of the island) might be better options. If you're going to be stationed at Bangor Submarine Base or Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, then Apex air park or Bremerton airport might be better bets. Don't get me wrong, I really like being based at 0S9, but I live just 4 minutes from the airport. Being close to my plane was a priority when we moved here in 2014 and I couldn't be happier. If your duty station is farther away, you'll wind up using your plane a lot less!

 

[Flyhound]

As far as a coastal route in the winter, it can be great if you have a LOT of schedule flexibility. Clear, dry days in coastal Oregon and Washington are the exception during winter months, but they do occur. When the skies part in the winter and let some sun in, the flying can be spectacular, it just isn't very predictable. I've also noticed that NOAA and the NWS are pretty good at predicting rain, but they are mostly lousy at predicting fog. That is another hazard you need to be aware of. That is true along the coast, and up the I5 corridor. It sounds like you are planning to fly VFR the whole way. That is probably a good thing even though it will create scheduling challenges. Icing problems in the winter clouds here are more common than most any other place in the world.

 

[Ventucky Red]

Sad to hear you're leaving Will.... can I have your hanger

Best of luck to you...

 

[Will Kumley]

Do you have a hangar lined up at 0S9? There is currently a waiting list for Port Owned hangars. Other hangars are privately owned and typically get traded via word of mouth and are seldom advertised. I don't know of any hangars available right now (I'm based at 0S9). If you are going to be stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, The DeLaurentis airport (KOKH in Oak Harbor) and the Whidbey Island Air Park (W10 on the south end of the island) might be better options. If you're going to be stationed at Bangor Submarine Base or Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, then Apex air park or Bremerton airport might be better bets. Don't get me wrong, I really like being based at 0S9, but I live just 4 minutes from the airport. Being close to my plane was a priority when we moved here in 2014 and I couldn't be happier. If your duty station is farther away, you'll wind up using your plane a lot less!

We do have a hangar already lined up at Jefferson County, we would love a hangar at Apex or Bremerton. However, Bremerton has a 6 year wait list according to the lady we talked to 2 months ago. Apex has no hangars available right now but we are communicating with someone that may have one opening up in a few months. The disadvantage of Apex is that it doesn't have lights and there is no instrument approach in case we get stuck. Bremerton would be a good alternate in those cases but since we were able to get a hangar at 0S9 we will attempt to find a place to live that is closer to the middle between Bremerton/Bangor and Port Townsend. Ideally, we would like to find a place to live in Poulsbo.

 

[Will Kumley]

As far as a coastal route in the winter, it can be great if you have a LOT of schedule flexibility. Clear, dry days in coastal Oregon and Washington are the exception during winter months, but they do occur. When the skies part in the winter and let some sun in, the flying can be spectacular, it just isn't very predictable. I've also noticed that NOAA and the NWS are pretty good at predicting rain, but they are mostly lousy at predicting fog. That is another hazard you need to be aware of. That is true along the coast, and up the I5 corridor. It sounds like you are planning to fly VFR the whole way. That is probably a good thing even though it will create scheduling challenges. Icing problems in the winter clouds here are more common than most any other place in the world.

Yes, we are planning to fly VFR if possible, but we are not opposed to IFR flying. Freezing levels will be the one thing to stop me in my tracks as our little Colt doesn't even have a heated pitot tube. We've been tracking the weather at 0S9 lately and it seems to be mostly good, although the winds are picking up.

 

[Will Kumley]

Sad to hear you're leaving Will.... can I have your hanger

Best of luck to you...

We wish we could stay, lord knows I tried. If you want a hangar at Oxnard we did just put in our 30 day move out notice so if you call or email Madeline she may be able to give it to you, its C7. The neighbors are great and from startup in front of the hangar to takeoff is usually 5 minutes. We were on the Camarillo wait list for a while then I flew in a young eagles evet there and got stuck at the hold short for 45 minutes waiting to takeoff due to all the traffic. The following Monday we told Madeline to remove our name from the wait list. With your new avionics you should be able to depart and return with an IFR to VFR clearance on the days the marine layer is rolling in.