How would you plan it - 3V5-PGA

[ejensen]

Just finished prelimary plan for tomorrow's flight to Page, AZ from Fort Collins, CO. Meeting a bunch of friends for slot canyon hikes. 15 airplanes total, 27 folks.

Anyway for those of you who like to plan flights as an exercise, how would you plan it? Your plane or mine. I fly a Mooney M20F normally aspirated. TAS at 12500 145.

Eric

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

We would probably need to know how averse you are to flying over rough or high country;,this varies quite a bit from person to person. If I can glide to a flat valley I am fairly content although I have gone over rough ground for short stretches. I haven't a vfr chart of the area, will you need/do you have o2, Eric?
Looks like it should be decent wx:
CO
SKY CLEAR OCCASIONAL SCT150-170. BECMG 0103 SKY CLEAR. OUTLOOK...VFR.

 

[ejensen]

We would probably need to know how averse you are to flying over rough or high country;,this varies quite a bit from person to person. If I can glide to a flat valley I am fairly content although I have gone over rough ground for short stretches. I haven't a vfr chart of the area, will you need/do you have o2, Eric?
Looks like it should be decent wx:
CO
SKY CLEAR OCCASIONAL SCT150-170. BECMG 0103 SKY CLEAR. OUTLOOK...VFR.

My post was more how folks would plan it for themselves. I'm pretty comfortable with what I will try at 0730 tomorrow. And I have a plan B, C. I'm curious how other folks see the route.

The wx does looks good. The only bad point is the wind. As usual a headwind.

DATA BASED ON 151200Z REQUESTED

VALID 161200Z FOR USE 0600-1700Z. TEMPS NEG ABV 24000 ALTITUDE

FT 6000 9000 12000 18000 24000 30000 34000 39000 12500
BFF 2716+11 2515+03 2425-12 2535-26 287437 289946 289455 2415+01
MBW 2622 2732+03 2431-12 2754-24 278237 770246 279955 2631+01
PUB 2610+13 2717+05 2732-08 2857-20 287835 288744 289355 2718+03
DEN 2605+11 2822+04 2732-09 2758-21 288135 289545 770055 2722+02
GJT 2015+11 2323+04 2541-09 2562-20 268435 269244 269754 2324+02
FMN 2009+13 2116+05 2539-06 2650-18 266834 257643 267654 2117+04
BCE 2022+04 2343-08 2457-20 248335 249044 249454 2023+03

Sorry the wind report doesn't line up well. Last column in interpolated 12,500.

You do need a sectional or a flight planner to see the challenges. Departure is 5000' and a direct route requires at least 13,000 within 30 miles.

 

[Michael]

winds appear to be under 30...I would go direct. well as direct as altitude would allow.

 

[bbchien]

We would probably need to know how averse you are to flying over rough or high country;,this varies quite a bit from person to person. If I can glide to a flat valley I am fairly content although I have gone over rough ground for short stretches. I haven't a vfr chart of the area, will you need/do you have o2, Eric?
Looks like it should be decent wx:
CO
SKY CLEAR OCCASIONAL SCT150-170. BECMG 0103 SKY CLEAR. OUTLOOK...VFR.

Without question the SPECTACULAR route is PGA 025 rdial up the Colorado River to Moab (Canyonlands), upt the valley to GJT. up the river to EGE, then you have a choice: up the river to leadville( Hagerman Pass), thence Mosquito Pass to DEN or up I70 to Dillon and over the Vail and Loveland passes. 12,500 is barely adequate.

The easy way, less scenic, is to go east to Las Vegas NM and then up the front range. 12,500 is plenty this way. But you don't get to see the length of Lake Powell this way.

You're on you own if forced down going the scenic route.

 

[gibbons]

In the A36, early in the morning and light, I'd go:
Direct RLG
V8 JNC
Direct PGA

Climbing from 5K to 14,5 in 34 NM is doable if I'm light enough but I'd plan on making a couple of 360's if required. I do much the same thing leaving Gunnison and heading over Monarch: 7,600' to 15,500' in 28 NM.

Have fun.

 

[ejensen]

Yes, that is pretty much my plan A. Get over the top and follow the river. Almost direct as Michael said. I don't have O2 so don't stay high over the rocks. Plan B if the route over Rocky Mtn Park has too much down or turbulance is to move north to La Poudre Pass and the start of the Colorado. This usually is enough. Once in awhile I've been almost in Wyoming before truning west. Once you're over the top it's all downhill to Page .

Due the 20+ knot winds at 12, I plan to get under if it isn't too rough. After crossing the divide, I can drop to 10,500 and the 8,500 in Utah.

Eric

 

[ejensen]

The forecast winds are down a little and the Tango airmet is to the south.
AIRMET TURB...CO AZ NMFROM PUB TO 40E LVS TO 70NNW SSO TO 40NW DRK TO 30SE DVC TO PUB OCNL MOD TURB BLW 150 DUE TO MOD LOW LVL WNDS OVR TRRN. CONDS DVLPG AFT 12Z. CONTG BYD 14Z THRU 20Z.

Looks like a beautiful day to fly over some great county. Maybe a bump or two. Flight time right at three hours. You all have a great weekend.

Eric

 

[SkyHog]

The forecast winds are down a little and the Tango airmet is to the south.
AIRMET TURB...CO AZ NMFROM PUB TO 40E LVS TO 70NNW SSO TO 40NW DRK TO 30SE DVC TO PUB OCNL MOD TURB BLW 150 DUE TO MOD LOW LVL WNDS OVR TRRN. CONDS DVLPG AFT 12Z. CONTG BYD 14Z THRU 20Z.

Looks like a beautiful day to fly over some great county. Maybe a bump or two. Flight time right at three hours. You all have a great weekend.

Eric

Have fun, and fly safe! Looks like a gorgeous flight from the plans I saw you post.