Tips for planning a "long" VFR-only XC

zaitcev said:
never say never
"2 suspects in Nashville tourist murder arrested in North Carolina; 3rd suspect sought"
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-new...uspects-arrested-in-north-carolina/1057637192

actually, I might try and fly to Detroit. They have a downtown airport that's teetering on the edge of closure, I heard. I never landed at Meigs, don't want to miss this one too.
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Going to Detroit? Must not be too concerned about getting murdered then. It’s only one of the most dangerous cities in the US
 
Ben2k9 said:
Going to Detroit? Must not be too concerned about getting murdered then. It’s only one of the most dangerous cities in the US
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Nope, not worried at all. Been downtown a number of times. It's nice around the casinos and sports facilities. Now, go a few blocks over and it gets sketchy in a hurry. But since you've been there so many times, you know that already.
 
AggieMike88 said:
One thing about fuel stops along your route.... do a bit of preflight planning and call the FBO's or whoever that control the pumps. You want to make sure about items such as

1. Hours the pump operates (not all are 24hr)
2. Are the pumps working (@RussR tells a story about landing for fuel only to find the pump was inop)
3. Do they have fuel. Just because they are shown on sites such as ForeFlight, 100LL.com, AirNav and others, doesn't mean there is fuel to be had and the pump works.

IMPORTANT: Never overfly available fuel when you need it just because somewhere else nearby is 50-cents less expensive. No sense getting into a fuel starvation issue just to save $20.00 on a 40-gallon fill up.
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This. Call ahead and verify services.

I have found ForeFlight lately is not very accurate with regards to FBO fuel availability, services, hours...etc.
 
wrbix said:
Although I am a very strong proponent of Charleston, SC as a tourist destination - very romantic for the SO, etc....,August would not be the best time of year.
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Bingo.

If you are doing this for fun and bringing your fiancé, I’d avoid the southern stuff. The heat/humidity saps the fun out of it.
 
MarcoDA40 said:
New Orleans is in our bucket list but I want to either have my IR or fly commercial and stay a week or so.
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You definitely don’t want to be in New Orleans in August. Pure misery.

Also, keep in mind, August is when hurricane season typically starts to pick up. Usually, you’ll have plenty of advanced warning weather wise, but if your plans aren’t flexible by say a week, you could conceivably be stuck not going anywhere on the east coast.
 
Fearless Tower said:
The heat/humidity saps the fun out of it.
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Yes it does!

During my stint in the Navy, I was assigned to a ship in Charleston, SC. One year the temperature was over 90* and the humidity was over 90% every day between July 4 and Labor Day. The vinyl top on my car - always parked outside - turned a nice shade of green. Mildew.

-Skip
 
steingar said:
Takes a special kind of stupid to go to Detroit for a vacation...
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Careful! That's where I went for my honeymoon!:eek:

Not by choice, though...my MIL was near-terminal in the hospital when my wife and I got married.
 
I fly 3 to 4 hour flights VFR fairly often. Sometimes I leave as planned, sometimes I stay over a day, sometimes I leave early due to weather. My suggestions are:
1) Be flexible - don't get stuck on flying a particular route or departing or arriving at a certain time.
2) When/if you stop en route, enjoy where you stop - grab a courtesy car and eat at a local place - see what's cool there
3) Buy a Southwest ticket - if possible leaving much later than you intend to fly.
------ Southwest allows you to cancel your ticket and have every dime available to use later. No cancellation or change fee
------ When I have to be somewhere that I want to fly to, I've purchased a Southwest ticket, and planned my flight - if I get to fly it in 42W great, if not, I still get there
------ Southwest tickets can be very reasonable depending on the destination and departure day/time
4) Treat the whole thing as an adventure and enjoy it.

Dean
 
codeeno said:
I fly 3 to 4 hour flights VFR fairly often. Sometimes I leave as planned, sometimes I stay over a day, sometimes I leave early due to weather. My suggestions are:
1) Be flexible - don't get stuck on flying a particular route or departing or arriving at a certain time.
2) When/if you stop en route, enjoy where you stop - grab a courtesy car and eat at a local place - see what's cool there
3) Buy a Southwest ticket - if possible leaving much later than you intend to fly.
------ Southwest allows you to cancel your ticket and have every dime available to use later. No cancellation or change fee
------ When I have to be somewhere that I want to fly to, I've purchased a Southwest ticket, and planned my flight - if I get to fly it in 42W great, if not, I still get there
------ Southwest tickets can be very reasonable depending on the destination and departure day/time
4) Treat the whole thing as an adventure and enjoy it.

Dean
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along with this and a lot of the other similar stuff people have mentioned, I would add DISCUSSING all of these as likely possibilities with the wifey before hand. it's one thing for you to have plan B, C, D etc... in your back pocket, but I would think it'd be a little awkward trying to explain it as it happened than if you discussed it prior to leaving for the trip.
 
eman1200 said:
Atlanta??!?!??!?!??
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yeah lol.

I've been there once in a DA20. Fuel stop/Breakfast at KGMU. Landed at KFTY and they were GREAT! I got the crew car for a whole day for free. I tipped the line guys as soon as they dropped us off in front of the FBO so that might have been part of a "free car".
 
Thank you everyone!

Any more North-bound destinations besides NY that are worth going?
I REALLY want to fly to Buffalo New york.. I've driven there to go to the Falls but the Wife wasnt really impressed.. and again, it has to please her. Im in it for the flight not 100% the destination lol
 
MarcoDA40 said:
We really want to go there. its our top choice as of now!



Noted!



Chocks, Ratchet straps and since I have the space, wing covers and canopy cover!
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To avoid rapidly deteriorating weather you may have to land on a little grass strip that does not have tie-down anchors.
 
EdFred said:
Nope, not worried at all. Been downtown a number of times. It's nice around the casinos and sports facilities. Now, go a few blocks over and it gets sketchy in a hurry. But since you've been there so many times, you know that already.
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You know how many times I’ve been to Detroit?
 
Ben2k9 said:
You know how many times I’ve been to Detroit?
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You don't pick up on sarcasm well, do ya? If you'd been to Detroit many times you'd know the downtown area is pretty safe and not riddled with crime like you think it is.
 
Don't discount Nashville. Even if you don't like Country Music. Nashville is the music capital of the south and there is all sorts of music in the clubs there (and yes dancing). Lots of of things to do and see. I even liked the Country Music Hall of Fame even though I'm not a big country fan. ATC is very friendly and accomodating there. I got permission to do some passes over the city for sightseeing with some of my friends. I'd even suggest going into BNA. While it is Signature, it appears to be one of their friendlier locations. I've not been in myself. I have friends in the burbs so I go into Tune or Lebanon.
 
SFRA Statue.jpg
MarcoDA40 said:
Thank you everyone!!
I listed so many places on a "heres how far i can get within my budget" basis,
Detroit is a no go lol
New Orleans is in our bucket list but I want to either have my IR or fly commercial and stay a week or so.
We've driven to charleston before and definetely want to go back. I want to visit one of my fav breweries in Mt. Pleasent . Westbrook brewing

If i go to NY I would go into KCDW .

a more narrowed list based on posts above:

Nashville
Tampa
New York
Charleston
Atlanta

I guess its still possible to not make it if there is a huge system on the East coast
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If you do go to New York, the Hudson River Exclusion is a flight not to be missed.

Two things:
1) You must take and pass the online course:
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=79&sID=389&preview=true
https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/79/775/kneeboard.pdf

2) I recommend flying the first time with someone who's done it before, could be a CFI or a pilot with local knowledge. It's not difficult, but the distractions are plentiful and you don't want to make a mistake here.

Have a great/safe trip wherever you go.
-Craig
 
drjcustis said:
I spent several years as a VFR only pilot. Many long distance trips. A few in a DA40. Great times.

I’d suggest from where you are, a flight down the coast. Head straight south, climb to 8-10k and hug the coast line. I’d go a mile or two off the coast and let the SO have a great view the entire way. Not likely to run into much weather if you start your trip in the morning.

You can stop at Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, St. Augustine (my favorite) or further.

Good luck. Enjoy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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And Jekyll Island, GA! Great stop along the coast.
 
@flyingron, is Tangier Island still cool? Used to have a good restaurant there.

New jersey
Cape May, quaint, take the ferry across to Lewes Del.


Clevland
Dowtown cool, Rock Hall of Fame, closed street for a block or two, fun area

Nashville ****
Plenty been said, fun town, Grand Ole Opery cool as you never who pops n to sing a tune or three

Atlanta
Fun city, been awhile but Bucktown had a lot of restaurants, clubs

Birmingham
Live just south, music scene very active, world class restaurants, Avondale part of town a cool scene, bars and restaurants, minor league baseball fun, fabulous (as in the best) BBQ

Jacksonville
Stay downtown on the St Johns River, fun area


Panama city
Destin (to the west) better destination, plenty to do, sugar white sand beaches, restaurants, clubs

Pensacola
Seville Square used to be cool, McGuires Irish Pub, another Naval aviation themed bar/restaurant, often can see the Blue Angels practicing over the bay, Naval Museum
 
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I'll third the suggestion for St. Augustine. There's history, food, tourist traps and a really nice long walkable beach just south at Crescent Beach. Craig (CRG) is a good stop for GA. In the SE US in late summer, I often pack it in by 2 pm due to buildups. Fly early. You can go a long way on 3 hour legs. We can make it from central NY to ATL or CRG in three legs in one day with cooperative weather. GSP to CRG would be an easy one leg trip around 2 hr, is driveable, but would really show off the utility of an airplane compared to driving. Anything in a 350 mm circle would be no-stress same day weather planning. Getting back just has to be a bit flexible. If you enjoy using the plane like this, go for a two-leg trip, i.e., 700 mm. That's a big circle!

If you want to get cool, try the Adirondacks. SLK has a long runway, and is in the heart of the largest state wilderness area in NY.

My wife was convinced that GA was boffo when we could make weekend trips to DC in 2+15 instead of a vicious 6-7 hour drive down I-81 and I-270. Flying to regional destinations (500 nm circle) beats the heck out of driving.
 
mryan75 said:
And Jekyll Island, GA! Great stop along the coast.
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You do not want to go to Jekyll Island in August. BTDT and got the sweat stains on the T-shirt.

There is a reason Jekyll was the WINTER vacation spot for the rich and famous...
 
Fearless Tower said:
You do not want to go to Jekyll Island in August. BTDT and got the sweat stains on the T-shirt.

There is a reason Jekyll was the WINTER vacation spot for the rich and famous...
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Ah Jekyll Island. I got memories there but I can’t remember a lot of them. But they were summer. I was stationed at Glynco for 3 months. The summer months. I remember walking out of an air conditioned building and feeling ‘drenched.’ Definetly a place to be thinking about the nightlife in the summer
 
As a northerner I'm not sure anywhere in the south is enjoyable in the summertime. Above 80F or so and I'm looking for shelter and A/C.
 
Thank you everyone, these are exactly the answers I was looking for!

Omaha is too far :(

Any beaches worth going in the North?
 
Fearless Tower said:
You do not want to go to Jekyll Island in August. BTDT and got the sweat stains on the T-shirt.

There is a reason Jekyll was the WINTER vacation spot for the rich and famous...
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BTDT too, in August. It was awesome.
 
The other thing about flying VFR that I don't think anyone has mentioned is altitude and visibility minimums...determine them before takeoff and don't lower them in flight. If you're forced below your minimum, land. You may be able to re-evaluate and lower your minimums for a particular leg, but don't make that determination in flight. It's too easy to say "just a little lower" until you find yourself WAY too low.
 
skier said:
The same kind that would go willingly to New Jersey.
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I lived a few years in South Jersey. That part of the state, as well as the Delaware River Gap area in NW Jersey, is actually pretty nice. South Jersey also puts you right next to Philly; tons of great places to eat (best pizza I've ever had at some real hole in the wall joints) and some really great museums. The cost of living was pretty bad, but the place is OK.
 
Fearless Tower said:
You do not want to go to Jekyll Island in August. BTDT and got the sweat stains on the T-shirt.

There is a reason Jekyll was the WINTER vacation spot for the rich and famous...
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EdFred said:
As a northerner I'm not sure anywhere in the south is enjoyable in the summertime. Above 80F or so and I'm looking for shelter and A/C.
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^ These

In August, go north. In the fall or winter, then head down to coastal Georgia, Florida, New Orleans, etc. Unless what you are after is some beach time, and then you'll want it hotter.

Saint Simons is nice. Lots more restaurants and hotels than Jekyll. Jekyll is nice, if you like peace and quiet.
 
Doug F said:
I lived a few years in South Jersey. That part of the state, as well as the Delaware River Gap area in NW Jersey, is actually pretty nice. South Jersey also puts you right next to Philly; tons of great places to eat (best pizza I've ever had at some real hole in the wall joints) and some really great museums. The cost of living was pretty bad, but the place is OK.
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I actually grew up in Central Jersey (yes it does exist)

And I'd agree, the Delaware Water Gap and most of the North West corner is very nice. Andover-Aeroflex and Blairstown are beautiful airports, especially in the fall. Andover also has the benefit of having a flight school where you can do tail-wheel training (J-3), bush flight training (Cub Crafters Super Cub), and aerobatics (Stearman).

I also really miss the pizza and bagels in New Jersey. There's nothing quite like arguing with friends about which corner has the best pizza or bagels knowing full well that both are leaps and bounds above what you can get in the rest of the country (though since moving to CT, I have developed a taste for New Haven Style).

If you like trying new things and are in NJ, there's a cool Uzbek Restaurant (Shirin Cafe) in Manalapan, NJ (~5 miles from Old Bridge Airport - 3N6) that is fantastic. It's probably one of the best/most interesting restaurants I've been to. If you go, just be aware that it's BYOB and you'll look out of place without a bottle of Vodka on the table.
 
eman1200 said:
mmmmmm jersey pizza and bagels mmmmm and Italian food mmmmmm
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What! You don't have a Jersey Mikes? ;)

Which aren't too bad, but still not Joisey hoagies!

Yeah Italian food. Lucky here in the Birmingham area we have quite a few mom n pop Italian restaurants as many Itaian immigrants came straight from Ellis to here to work in the coal mines and steel plants.

Dang I'm hungry.

image.jpeg
 
eman1200 said:
mmmmmm jersey pizza and bagels mmmmm and Italian food mmmmmm
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Oh, and crazy jersey chicks mmmmm

Now I know what you’re thinking....”but eman, there’s crazy chicks everywhere!” and yes, you’d be right. But jersey girls are a special kind of crazy. I mean you knew up front they wuz crazy, it was just a matter of how much hotness you wanted with your crazy. They were usually directly proportional.
 
Mid Atlantic states ALL are thunderstorm generators in the summer. NY and south, all of 'em. Typically moving west to east, of course, and plenty of convective stuff in the afternoons. Sometmes come up like popcorn, though usually better predicted than back in the day. As soon as it starts to bother you, what's ahead and to the west, call it a day.
 
So, time has been requested off work and plane booked for the last week in August. Have not decided on where yet and lets just hope the weather cooperates.
August 23rd-26th, with the 27th-28th as cushion days.
 
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