Flying in the South West

[plight]

Gang,

I'm planning a trip later this month from Toronto to Tuscon AZ to visit the PIMA museum. I will be taking about 2 weeks to vacation in the south west, before heading home. I thought that it might be a good idea to get some advise about flying in the higher elevations and near the mountains. I will have an oxygen bottle in the bird.

Frankly, I have not had hear past 8,500 feet, nor flown in a really hot and high environment. Any words of wisdom?

 

[davloose]

Re: Flying in the South West

Learn to lean on takeoff....

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: Flying in the South West

Early departures, Air is much smoother earlier in the day - Watch both your weight and Density altitude. High also tends to be smoother, although depending on the direction and the day it can sometimes be a tradeoff of airspeed for smooth air.

Fuel prices are generally pretty good at TUS and it is pretty easy to get in and out of.
Depending on where you will be staying, AVQ is another good alternative.

Where are you planning to go besides TUS?

 

[plight]

Re: Flying in the South West

Joel,

I'm flying into Phoenix to pickup my wife (who is flying down commercial). Then perhaps up to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Possibly a side trip to Palm Springs. Playing it by ear.

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: Flying in the South West

Phil

Where are you planning to land in Phoenix?
You will love Sedona. Grand Canyon is really the only high airport at 6,609. Sedona is at 4,830.

Dave's comment about learning to lean for takeoff at high altitude airports is a good one.

We fly in and out of an airport that is at 6,412 regularly (this morning) and if I don't lean and slowly enrich as the engine starts making power on the takeoff roll I don't think I would ever get off the ground. Engine just loads up if too rich and will not make full power.

I will be crossing the Canyon in a few weeks on the way to Cedar City Utah.

Depending on where you are planning to land and stay, and your schedule, maybe we can hook up while you are here.

 

[buchan]

Re: Flying in the South West

And don't use FULL RICH on final as the checklist probably says. It will have a tendency to quit on the roll out, at idle.

Don

 

[TSHEMMEN]

Re: Flying in the South West

Like Joel, I recommend AQV which is located in Marana about 15 miles northwest of the center of Tucson, great fuel prices!!! Reserve a car from Enterprise on INA road and they will come and get you..They have cheap rates for an economy car about $25. Suggest the LOWES VANTANA RESORT (4 stars) in north Tucson. The summer rates should be around $100 by the time you are getting there (normally $250). Get to the Pima museum when they open as it will be over 100' in the afternoon. Get the combination ticket that you can take a bus to the Air Force boneyard which is close by. You take a motor coach there, can't get off, but is neat to see. The combination ticket also allows you to go to the Titan Missile site in Green Valley, about 25 miles south of Tucson. (you have to drive there yourself). It is the only Titan site still around that is open to the public...(see the movie "War Games")..you go underground and see how they lived and how they would launch the missile (which is still in the silo)...really neat. Good place to eat is the Texas Roadhouse..kinda cowboy and good steaks for $20...Another neat place to see is Prescott..great airport (mine) could meet you and show you the sites before you take off again for Sedona (50 air miles away)...like Joel says, fly high..9.5 or 10.5 depending and you will have a great flight!! any other questions?

 

[RNC]

Re: Flying in the South West

Pay attention to winds aloft around the peaks.

Greater than 25 knots, and you're gonna have pretty nasty chop. This is more of an issue in the spring than the other seasons.

If you fly through said turbulence plan your altitudes around those peaks. My personal best on trips between DFW and SoCal was finding a ~2200 fpm downdraft. Not that big a deal if you're clearing the peaks by 1500 or more feet, but skipping across them by 500 feet with such turbulence is another matter altogether.

Other than that the southwestern US is good flying. Usually clear and warm, and nice scenery. Bring the camera, lots of good pics to be had!

 

[plight]

Re: Flying in the South West

Guys,

Awesome comments and recommendations and experience. I'm expecting to leave Toronto on May 17th and hopefully get to Tucson on Sunday and leave for Phoenix on Wednesday.

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: Flying in the South West

Terry and Phil

Enterprise will now leave the car at AVQ so no need for the pickup to get the car. They leave the keys with Tucson Aero.

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: Flying in the South West

Arizona owners – is Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse still active? We used to frequent Tucson monthly in the early 90’s (Sim @ Marana) and really enjoyed the Pin Peak’s Western village setup.
Phil – highly recommend Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse in Tucson (Don’t wear a tie . . .)
Marana (Evergreen?) used to have a small scale museum on the field. PIMA is a quality museum. Boneyard was interesting, eerie, and sad. Talked app cntrl into vectors right across the (very large) yard. There was the Biosphere N of Tucson, not sure what happened to that??
West of Tucson was a western movie town setup w/tours they also have the saguaro cactus that is famous for the area.
You’re going to have blast.

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: Flying in the South West

Arizona owners – is Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse still active? We used to frequent Tucson monthly in the early 90’s (Sim @ Marana) and really enjoyed the Pin Peak’s Western village setup.
Phil – highly recommend Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse in Tucson (Don’t wear a tie . . .)
Marana (Evergreen?) used to have a small scale museum on the field. PIMA is a quality museum. Boneyard was interesting, eerie, and sad. Talked app cntrl into vectors right across the (very large) yard. There was the Biosphere N of Tucson, not sure what happened to that??
West of Tucson was a western movie town setup w/tours they also have the saguaro cactus that is famous for the area.
You’re going to have blast.

Yep Still there, and I would have said its formal - make sure you wear a tie.

http://www.pinnaclepeaktucson.com/

 

[alandotson]

Re: Flying in the South West

Hi Phil,

I know Joel and Terry have already offered some help; but I, too, would be pleased to assist, if possible. I'm at KDVT on the north side of PHX.

Out of town the weekend you arrive, but should be around after that.

Only know of good beer halls and cheap food. If you're doing the Resort scene, can't help much there.

Best regards,
Alan
623-203-7682

 

[TSHEMMEN]

Re: Flying in the South West

Pinnacle Peak just got sold to a developer, however the place is still open. They have over a million ties that they cut off people and put up on their walls. The original owner didn't like people to come formal, thus the start of cutting off the ties. If you rent from Enterprise through the FBO, I think you get a higher rate than renting directly from Enterprise

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: Flying in the South West

Pinnacle Peak just got sold to a developer, however the place is still open. They have over a million ties that they cut off people and put up on their walls. The original owner didn't like people to come formal, thus the start of cutting off the ties. If you rent from Enterprise through the FBO, I think you get a higher rate than renting directly from Enterprise

Terri

Did it on line and they honored my corporate rate.