etsisk said:
Thanks for the info, y'all! It's reassuring that I can get mostly where I want to go without getting shook a$$ over teakettle in mtn waves and unknown scary things. Unknown to me, anyway!
Yeah, I was trying to remember all the times I rode a motorcycle through the AZ-NM I-40 route, and I sure didn't remember going through a bunch of mountains, but hey, on a motorcycle, who cares?
Thanks again, y'all!
Well, now just a gol' durn minute here, everyone. I have flown over the North American Cordillera (most of which is the Rockies; in the southern portion it has different names) many times at many points between the Mexican and Canadian borders, and while I agree that it's not as bad as some people make it out to be, it is not without risk if you are inattentive. I've also done a fair amount of flying within the mountains (that is, landing and taking off from--very important to make the distinction--mountain airstrips), so I consider myself to be modestly experienced in high-mountain flying. You DO have to worry about mountain waves, lack of emergency landing sites, turbulence, sudden weather changes, squirrely winds, loss of aircraft performance, and all of that. For a pilot whose experience is low in general, there are many dangers, and the dangers are hardly fewer for someone whose experience is entirely in the flatlands (and the mountains in NC, while having their own special challenges and charms, are flat compared to the Cordillera). I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that y'all shouldn't be quite so cavalier about downplaying the challenges.
First and foremost you MUST pay very close attention to the weather, including things like winds aloft at altitudes you've never even thought of before. You must plan your route very carefully, and that planning must include alternates. You must doing some practicing at very high altitudes (>9500') in order to truly understand your aircraft's performance at those altitudes and above. You must internalize as never before the difference between ceilings at airports and ceilings enroute, and be aware as never before of the factors that influence ceiling height. Did I say you must pay attention to the weather? You must know Va in your airplane and be prepared to spend several hours flying at Va and be aware of how that affects fuel consumption and where the fueling points are. You must read a CURRENT A/FD for fuel status at various airports and even then have an out. You must be able to control your airplane precisely in case you have to make an emergency landing in a very small space. Finally, you must carry a survival kit that, at a minimum, includes a tent, a first aid kit, and, if in the southern half of the Cordillera, lots of water, and in the northern half, something to keep you warm (even in summer). Personally, I carry, at all times, a tent, water, sleeping bag, pad (I'm a softie), camp cooking gear, food, knife, saw, signal mirror, first aid kit, tools, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember off the top of my head.
Oh, and you must learn about mountain weather. One nice thing, though. More or less west of the 100th meridian, you can at least SEE the thunderstorms way ahead of time about 98% of the time.
If you have done all that, then it IS no big deal, and it's a heck of a lot of fun, with gorgeous scenery.
Judy
