USA Flight Trip

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Zach
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I am a Suffolk, VA resident and also a 21 year old college student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. I'm an Air Force ROTC cadet studying Aerospace Engineering.

This summer, a friend from school (who is also a pilot) and I plan to fly a Piper Arrow from Tidewater Flight Center (www.tidewaterflightcenter.com) at low altitudes around the entire continental United States, stopping at many of the nation's landmarks and camping outdoors at a majority of them. We plan on keeping a photojournal as well as continuously updating an online blog. The idea is to capture a perspective of the United States that many have not seen before.

If you are interested, you can read more about our story and plan at http://crossamerica.tumblr.com/

We have established a fundraising website at http://kck.st/8XIkih

Our main goal is to not only experience this for ourselves, but to share this experience with the public through a constantly updated blog (sunlitsilence.com) and by producing a photojournal with accounts of our experiences along the trip.

Flying over the western coast of Florida after an afternoon thunderstorm

06-03-2010 11:12 AM

Zach
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Please also feel free to add suggestions for us! I have spoken with many experienced pilots about this trip and have received some great ideas.

06-03-2010 11:15 AM

Kevin Eldredge
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When you get out to west coast, make sure you visit L52, Oceano airport on central coast. Its a few blocks from the beach and camping right on the airport.

I have several others that I will post on west coast to visit. Great idea good luck!

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06-03-2010 08:13 PM
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Zach
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Thanks, Kevin! I really appreciate it. Please let me know all the hot spots to visit out West

06-05-2010 07:15 AM

MooneyFlyer
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Here is my short list of MUST STOPS in the Western USA

1. In New Mexico -- Santa Fe

2. Utah -- St. George (overfly Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon), Canyonlands (KCNY.. overlfy Canyonlands NP and Arches NP)

3. Arizona -- Fly the Grand Canyon (KPGA: Page) from Glen Canyon Dam to Hoover Dam (read the Grand Canyon chart first). You can land at 1G4 and walk the skywalk. Fly over Lake Powell (use this link: http://www.vintagemooneygroup.com/VMGWest/PREPGA_FlightSeeing.pdf as a guide). While you are at Lake Powell, fly Monument Valley (20 mins SE just after dawn for clear/smooth Wx and awesome shadows... Land at Gouldings for breakfast... Must stop at Sedona... early morning is recommended for wind and shadows... In Las Vegas, Henderson (KHND) is very GA friendly with free shuttles into/out of Las Vegas to KHND

4. California -- I agree with Oceano (L52)... right on the beach. Another good selection is Half Moon Bay (KHAF) west of San Francisco (awesome airport and 2 minute walk to town/shops/food)... while there, ensure you fly the BAY TOUR (use this link as a guide: http://www.vintagemooneygroup.com/VMGWest/PRERHV2010BayTour.htm). Another stop if you are OK with Density Altitude is South Lake Tahoe (KTVL). The lake surrounded by the Sierras is breathtaking. In southern California, Big Bear L35 is a similar look and feel. Fly over Yosemite NP and use Mariposa (KMPI) as a base if you want to drive into the park.

5. Montana -- Glacier NP (Land at S27 Kalispell). OVerfly the NP in the morning for wind and sun angles...

6. Yellowstone -- We recommend West Yellowstone (KWYS).. overfly the geysers early in the morning...

Hope this is helpful

Phil

09-30-2010 04:46 PM