Skyhawk in Navajo country

Pilawt

Pilawt

Final Approach
Gone West
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
9,486
Location
Santa Rosita State Park, under the big 'W'
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Pilawt
Mrs. P has a couple of friends from the Northwest in town this week. The three of them took a three-day motor coach tour from Phoenix to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Their itinerary had them getting to the Canyon around noon on Tuesday.

Having nothing better to do, and disinclined to waste perfect flying weather, I decided to fly up there unannounced and make sure they were behaving themselves, with a little sightseeing thrown in on the side.

I took off from GYR at sunup and headed to Page (KPGA) via the Zuni Point Corridor through the Grand Canyon SFRA.









We'd planned to visit Page for the CT group fly-in later this week, but the arrival of the out-of-town guests made us change that plan. This trip gave me an opportunity to see it, at least. Like the first swallow at Capistrano, the first CT arrived at KPGA for that gathering just as I was taxiing out.

From Page I headed northeast over Lake Powell, then southeast to Monument Valley.











After a circuit around the monuments it was southwestbound back to Grand Canyon. I landed at KGCN in a brisk crosswind, and got a cab to Grand Canyon Village (8 miles, $23 + tip :mad:). My cab arrived at the Bright Angel Lodge less than two minutes after the girls' tour bus pulled in from their two-hour drive from Sedona.





After sharing their box lunch and taking some pictures I left them to their hiking and shopping, and headed home. 5.3 total on the tach.

Beats riding a bus! :D

More photos here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HPzmHaP6NBwpNnuh1
 
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Man love to fly that! One of these days. Would you mind sharing the tour company (web site) your wife used? Thanks.
 
mscard88 said:
Man love to fly that! One of these days...
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You must be pretty close to an all time record run without the banhammer come knocking. Forgotten what it's like to have time on your hands? ;)
 
GRG55 said:
You must be pretty close to an all time record run without the banhammer come knocking. Forgotten what it's like to have time on your hands? ;)
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Shhh maybe they think I'm not here. :D
 
Nicely done Jeff. And it took me two years but I finally recognize the little lady on the left talking to Beau Bridges. :)
 
I love flying up around monument valley, we try and do it every thanksgiving weekend
 
New to the site. This looks like a good place to ask a question about Arizona.
I am scouting the area as a new home, Tucson is first on the list. I had planned on buying a plane for trips to the west coast and just banging around. Looking at charts, Arizona/Nevada is a maze of MOAs/restricted areas.
Just wanted to do relaxed VFR trips. Is navigating the airspace as difficult as it appears?
Thanks.
 
Many of the MOAs have floors high enough for comfortable crossing underneath. And check the fine print on the chart and NOTAMs; some of the MOAs are only active Mon-Fri. R-areas not so much.

I just moved to AZ from the Pacific Northwest earlier this year. This is a great place to fly.
 
I will be doing the bay area and Oregon in a light single. From Tucson, head north, make a left at flagstaff and a right at Bakersfield looks the best bet for restricted space,
As a bonus, there is now UAS areas that are new to me. Getting back to flying after a long break.
 
robert holleman said:
I will be doing the bay area and Oregon in a light single. From Tucson, head north, make a left at flagstaff and a right at Bakersfield looks the best bet for restricted space,
As a bonus, there is now UAS areas that are new to me. Getting back to flying after a long break.
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What I’ve done from Tucson is V94 BLH L22 LUCER KWJF to Bakersfield. Apple Valley or Fox are reasonable food/fuel stops.
 
That looks good for the bay area, a little gauntlet run. For Eugene, heading north and crossing south of Bend looks good.
Scouting trip to Az. next week. Looking forward to the move.
Thanks for the replies.
 
robert holleman said:
For Eugene, heading north and crossing south of Bend looks good.
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I used to live in Vancouver WA and made frequent trips back and forth to Phoenix in my 172 (180 hp). Our most frequent route northbound was via KHII - 0L7 (fuel) - BTY - OAL - O43 (fuel and a McDonalds a block away) - FMG - KLMT (fuel) - 5S2 - 5S0 - KVUO.

If weather in Nevada was a problem we'd go the longer route through California, as in my earlier post, then essentially follow I-5 to KVUO.
 
I've flown Tucson to Eugene a few times. Usually go over Blythe and then either through or around the L.A. basin. Then north through Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento, etc. I'm not worried about MOAs or restricted areas messing up my plans. But, I usually fly at 10000-12000 feet for this route.
 
Robert, are you in Tucson yet?

Ted, are you hangered at TUS?
 
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I'm working on that side now on a 182 but my hangar is on the other side of 21 at Handy Hangars next to Million Air.
 
Oops, I meant to refer to the old tower, not the new tower, although you understood it anyways. Are you looking to buy a 182? Is it 87F?
 
I knew what you meant. If you were in between the new tower and Atlantic you'd be on the runway. No. I'm part of a three man team putting one back together in hangar 4 over on your side (middle row) I own a Cherokee 140 at Handy Hangars.
 
Timbeck2 said:
Robert, are you in Tucson yet?

Ted, are you hangered at TUS?
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Checked out Tucson awhile ago. Much bigger than expected and I was not in a great mood as I broke 2 ribs the day before on the dirt bike.
Trying to find a town that may not exist anymore. Small, old school downtown and no strip malls.
 
Winters are a bit cold but I like the town.
Moved to Cal. for a job and I'm now retired. Eager to depart said state ASAP.
 
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