Utah to Florida

[frfly172]

Any suggested routes to fly 150 from Utah to central Florida vfr only.

 

[mandm]

Summer

 

[Steamflyer]

You'll have to go south, around the bottom of the Rockies, then east in a 150. It's been done, plan on unforecast layovers though. Sort of SLC to LAS to PHX thence east. Think it can be done with a max altitude of around 10k, which a 150 can get to eventually. Obviously weather has to be cooperative. Once you get to the Gulf Coast things should get easier, but be aware there's lots of military airspace along much of it's length.

 

[DMD3.]

The jet stream is farther south this time of year. If you can ride it, you’ll have a very nice tailwind.

 

[MooneyDriver78]

The jet stream is farther south this time of year. If you can ride it, you’ll have a very nice tailwind.

Maybe, sometimes it’s not a tail wind west…

 

[simie1]

I did a 150 from ABQ to DEN to JAX. Then back to ABQ. Climb prop so 85mph. I had 90 TT when I started. Good training. Got stuck in Plainview TX for 3 days on the way back because of low ceilings. Hand-held GPS. 2000 (yr) or so and I still remember so many details of that trip. I’m a bit envious Safe flight!

Oh - as far as routes. Go south and cut across from Hurricane to Page to just north of ABQ around north end of Sandias. Incredible country and easy in a 150 - nothing really high.

 

[Chris Dickens]

Any suggested routes to fly 150 from Utah to central Florida vfr only.

I'm assuming the SLC area? If so, you can make it through the pass from PVU to PUC to HVE and then to RSK and cut north of ABQ to ACH. Most of the terrain in the basins/valleys along that route is around 5,000-6,000 MSL. Like someone else said, climb to about 10k and you should be good terrain-wise along that route. From there you can make your way SE towards Florida...the easiest way is to fly just north of the FL panhandle to avoid the military restricted areas. Obviously, try and accomplish the SLC to ACH portion on days that will be severe clear. Scud running out there in a 150 will end poorly. Be aware of the winds to avoid severe turbulence. In the winter, it will probably be fairly bumpy due to mechanical turbulence, but avoid putting yourself close enough to mountainous terrain with strong winds that might exceed the 150's ability to climb.

 

[Eldorado]

I agree winter is the time to do it, good tail winds, density altitude less of a problem, find a good weather window, throttle back for endurance. Going the other way, not so good. At ABQ, go south v291, v68 to HOB then east.

 

[Alien Mind]

Previous replies suggested via ABQ (which is essentially following I-40) - perfectly good idea, I've flown that way twice in my Cherokee. But going further south to Tuscon and then following I-10 usually has better weather and lower hills - albeit not as picturesque as via ABQ. My suggestion? After Vegas, fly down the Colorado river till you get to I-10 west of Phoenix and just keep following it till all the 'hills' are behind you. Low priced fuel stops; KBXK, P33, KLRU and you'll never need to be above 9500. Mostly, ENJOY!

 

[BillTIZ]

You'll have to go south, around the bottom of the Rockies, then east in a 150. It's been done, plan on unforecast layovers though. Sort of SLC to LAS to PHX thence east. Think it can be done with a max altitude of around 10k, which a 150 can get to eventually. Obviously weather has to be cooperative. Once you get to the Gulf Coast things should get easier, but be aware there's lots of military airspace along much of it's length.

What part of UT? I too would head south along I-15 to LAS, then to Kingman AZ, but follow I-40 towards Flagstaff and into NM. Once past the "hills", then diagonally across TX and onward to FL.

You could go south along I-15 to St George UT, then head towards Page AZ and work your way southwest. But there is a "whole lot o'nuthin" out there. I'd stick closer to the Interstate Highway System and population centers until I was clear of the Rockies.

 

[RyanShort1]

Got stuck in Plainview TX for 3 days on the way back because of low ceilings. Hand-held GPS. 2000 (yr) or so and I still remember so many details of that trip. I’m a bit envious Safe flight!

It's pretty rare, but when those conditions happen, it's crazy. Wonder if we were near ya. I was stuck in Lubbock for three days sometime back then, too.