lockeed
Pre-takeoff checklist
The Glasair you suggested would be perfect for the job too. It's looks like a good one. Similar to an RV6 in many ways....
The Glasair you suggested would be perfect for the job too. It's looks like a good one. Similar to an RV6 in many ways....
Don't bet your life or your ticket on that in either direction along that route. You make three or four trips over that route in a 172, IFR, and then tell us what you think,
$257
Frontier /
Delta
SEA 8:50a → SLC 4:25p 6h 35m 1 stop (DEN)
SLC 5:11p → SEA 6:20p 2h 09m nonstop
IIRC, Mite is ridiculously slow: 110 knots. On a retract! Cherokee goes that fast on a 160 hp engine. On that other hand, that RV-6 may be a good idea.
This is a Mooney Cadet, right?
PAE --D--> SLC
Glassair,, 4.0 hours any time you get off 4hours X 10 gallons per hours = 40 gallons of fuel @ 6.00 = $240.
And if you want to go to 4 corners for lunch, there is another seat, leaving when your ready.
That's been discussed and probably what will happen when the weather doesn't co-operate.Another vote for airlines.
does anyone think the LongEZ will fit the bill?
It would, and a Vari-Eze might fit it even better.
I knew a guy with one back before I thought about flying myself, and his tall tales about LongEZ's speed, range, and payload may need a closer examination, now that I think back to it. The biggest problem with LongEZ, IMHO, is finding a trustworthy prebuy inspector, who knows them well. It is all in the builder and build quality, and how can you tell?does anyone think the LongEZ will fit the bill?
That's been discussed and probably what will happen when the weather doesn't co-operate.
try this for a route. PAE D-> BTG D-> BKE D->STL
are those rv-6 speeds in MPH?
My advice is forget about ever doing it IFR.
I'll join the chorus advocating an airline trip.
But if you're looking for an excuse to buy a plane and make this trip once in a while, I'd look for a K model Mooney with long range tanks if there's a little room in the budget. Fly high using the turbo and oxygen and you can make it non stop. If there's no room in the budget I'd look at an E or an F Mooney. A 60s vintage Bonanza may be an option as well, but a suitable plane would run more than $50k and operating cost will be higher than the Mooney.
RV-6 with a strong engine would come close to fitting the bill. I haven't looked recently, but it might be difficult to find a IFR -6 in the price range you mentioned, though. If you could find a nice RV-4 that actually has IFR capable radios, it would be a fun 1-person traveling machine.
I don't see any low altitude crossing available between Denver and San Francisco.I know someone who bought a Comanche 250, which is just about in the right price range, and tried to commute from Denver to Southern California. That didn't work out too well.
I did my monthly-or-so airline commute today from Denver to San Francisco. No way I would attempt to do that regularly in a small airplane. It would need to be at least a King Air 200. But then I wouldn't be able to sleep most of the way...
Yes they are - and it's not really the right aircraft for the job.
An RV9A is.
Agree, if it is priced at $50k.
My point is that I wouldn't even want to do it in a much more capable airplane than you are suggesting. Not on a regular basis, anyway.I don't see any low altitude crossing available between Denver and San Francisco.
An RV9A is.
Question: What are the MEAs on the airways between those two points?
Victor 2 & 4 Out of SEA is 8000' east bound that will put you east of the North Cascade Range
Some one said it is 635mn...that's over 4 hours @ 150kts - no wind.
Flight planing for 190 KNOTS which is 218 miles gives you a 3 hour trip.
I suspect there is often times enough ice for the happy hour on that route, so, the smallest, least expensive airplane I would even consider capable (on an IFR day) is turbo-normalized Bonanza or turbo Mooney or T-210 with TKS. Probably should have some thunderstorm avoidance equipment, but a hand-held GPS with nexrad would work. Oh, and not to be discounted, the pilot(s) should really know what the heck they're doing. We're talking airplanes that start at 175K. Me, I'd want a Merlin 3B. But then, I'm somewhat practical.
Agree, if it is priced at $50k.
Tom-
I like the Glasairs, especially the 3RG. And I like the Lancair Legacy and the RV8 they all really scoot. But most are well over 50K. Any of them could do the mission. And there are plenty of motorcycles that could provide transportation from Seattle to Anchorage...but, like the OP, if he did it once or twice - even at 190kts it's a six hour round trip - the airlines might look pretty inviting.
So, you're smitten with the Glasair? Instead of or in addition to the F24?