Southeast Commander Pilots: How's the winter flying weather?

[SoCalUSN]

I'm considering the purchase of a 112 for predominantly fair weather SoCal flying, but work will take me to Mobile, AL for the coming fall and winter. Are the conditions generally favorable on the gulf coast then, or can I expect to sit on the ground with lots of clouds and low freezing levels?

- William
no plane... yet
Home airport: Montgomery Field in San Diego

 

[mcgrathm]

Jamesdub “John Write” is the best to answer as he lives near there. I have flown down a few times from TN and the weather is not too bad. More in the summer when it get hot is when you get a lot of pop up rain storms in the afternoon. Best times to fly is early morning or late afternoon. Once the season changes to fall and winter it is nicer during mid day it think, but John would be more of an expert on that.

 

[Jaybird]

First thing I thought about after I read your post is forget the weather, William. Do you know how long it will take you to fly from San Diego to Mobile in a 112?

I would want a turbine at least for regular trips like that. Actually, I'm still debating on how to get to the Fredicksburg fly-in from Georgia. Am strongly considering going commercial as it's definitely the most economical and fastest option. Second thought is you're bound to encounter nasty weather somewhere's along a route of that distance. You may be different, but 2-3 hours is the longest I like to sit still in any environment. I do cruise up at 10,000 MSL in my 112, (might take 25 mins to get there) but careful routing should get you over/around the Rockies.

 

[mcgrathm]

I travel usually once a year from TN to Salem Oregon for business. I haven’t had a weather problem yet, but my job lets me go on my schedule and with enough planning it is usually uneventful.
Now is it economical? NO, but that’s not why I do it. I really enjoy the trip, the things I see, and the people I meet along the way. Flight time for me is 14-16 hrs if non stop in my 112A. I schedule my trip as a 2 1/2 days. 6,6, and 4 hrs. I fly 3hr stints on the first 2 days. The split the last day in half.

In other words, I fly for the journey, not the destination.

 

[SoCalUSN]

Thank you all. I'm thinking I'll wind up with a 112 turbo (either TC or HS), and I wouldn't be commuting back and forth. I'd fly down in October, and back up in March probably. I'm thinking it would be 11-12 hours total. Definitely stop and see friends along the way-no rush! I'm mostly concerned with the prevailing conditions in the Gulf area in winter, not the leisurely cross country. I'll have free time on weekends and late afternoons; trying to figure out if I'd be grounded; mostly concerned about icing.

-William

 

[Jamesdub]

JAY!

Half the fun of the fly-in is getting there . .
If we catch the winds just right we could probably make it in a fuel load, though my wife (and I) will want to 'stretch our legs' along the way I'm sure.

Fort Collins has been my longest fly-in trip followed by Dayton. Last couple have been in our backyard (Pine Mountain and Augusta)

And once you' re are there, the chance to 'Fly-out' is a hoot as well. Though many 'double-up' for the morning excursion.

I just think of Jim R. coming from upstart VT each year . . .

I think Ken is having an EAA Pancake Breakfast at Dawson (16J) this Sat . . .

later,
John

 

[Jaybird]

Well I actually never foreflighted it up John but your post encouraged me. I don’t know about u but I got a nice promotion offer from the Boeing ForeFlight people to upgrade to performance plus from pro plus and get an extra free 3 months so I bit. Now I get canned profiles and I see somethings wrong cause there’s no way this trip can use the 68 gallons and then need another 33 gallons! Any way at less than 5 hours this is probably go able in the ‘‘’’’’’M’ander. Here’s the flight plan:

 

[dgeib]

I think you’ll love flying in the southeast during the winter. November to March is a dry season time with lots of clear skies. January is the only truly cold month with a couple frost days to be expected. But if you fly in the afternoon your likely to be 60 degrees (SL) and staying under the freezing level should still give you adequate cruising altitudes. I’ve lived in north Florida for 40 years and winter has never disappointed. Coming from San Diego, it’s our summers that you would find oppressing and challenging.

 

[Jamesdub]

Well I actually never foreflighted it up John but your post encouraged me. I don’t know about u but I got a nice promotion offer from the Boeing ForeFlight people to upgrade to performance plus from pro plus and get an extra free 3 months so I bit. Now I get canned profiles and I see somethings wrong cause there’s no way this trip can use the 68 gallons and then need another 33 gallons! Any way at less than 5 hours this is probably go able in the ‘‘’’’’’M’ander. Here’s the flight plan:

I was planning on us flying out of Enterprise (EDN) to T82 (flt of two) . . sorry didn't account for your additional 174 miles to the east . . .
Even so that is way below my personal minimums for Fuel trying to make it on one stop . . .

 

[Jaybird]

Yeah 4 gallons left is pretty manly attempt.
John, you are 675 naut-miles and I'm 795 to T82. Jay is 120 miles further (per Foreflight)

Assume Jay flies at 130 knots ground speed at 8.5 gals/hour (LOP) in his under powered but fuel efficient112A
Assume climb and descent cancel each other out.
It will take Jay 795 miles / 130 knots/hr = 6.12 hours of non-stop flying
The amount of fuel Jay needs is 6.12 hours flying * 8.5 gals/hr = 52.02 gallons
Jay holds 68 gallons thus Jay can fly non stop with 16 gals remaining
That might be do-able.

Let's do yours (and I know little about a 114):
John flies 675 miles / 145 knots/hr = 4.66 hours of non-stop flying
The amount of fuel John needs is 4.66 hours flying * 13 gals/hr in his 114 = 60.58 gallons
John holds 68 gals thus John can fly non-stop with 7.5 gallon remaining.
That's only 3.5 gallons off your prediction.

 

[rringgold]

Willem, if you have time to spare, go by air ( VFR in a small airplane ). I am no expert on flying in the SE, but 3 out of the 4 April trips ( Sun n Fun ) I have flown have been modified or abbreviated by the weather systems that sit across the Florida panhandle. I still want to go back. Three out of five top states to retire to are in the SE. I’d be willing to bet it’s because of the nicer weather!