KTVL Flight schools

Davecat

Davecat

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
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124
Location
Woodlands Texas
Display Name
Davecat
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DWH
Headed to Tahoe to experience the best snow in 30 years, per my friend that lives there and get some skiing in. I thought it would be great to experience some mountain flying also. I fly PA-28-140 and 180's.

Looking for CFI and school recommendation that would be accommodating to a low lander.
 
I believe the one FBO has a plane or two. Never seen a smaller Cherokee there; PA28s aren't very good above 10,000 DA, especially with the straight wing. There used to be a 172M operating out of KTRK used for flight instruction, though. Dunno if it's still there. Lots of gliders, but not this time of year.

It's gonna seem too easy in winter. It's hot summer days with winds blowing through Echo Pass that make mountain flight challenging.

Dress for egress. Remember there is very isolated terrain less than 10 miles from TVL. Not a good place for a mechanical problem.
 
The DA at KTVL is 6,600'.
Should be fine for most any GA plane.
 
Palmpilot said:
Huh???

DA varies quite a lot with temperature (as I'm sure you know).
Click to expand...

Correct, and the DA is 6,600"

One of the reasons the OP wanted to go was due to the winter weather (snow) that cold thick air is resulting in a nice low DA, one I said most any GA certified pilot in most any GA plane would be plenty safe in.
 
I didn't realize that you meant right now.

There's a sigmet for occasional severe turbulence, strong up and down drafts, and low level wind shear.
 
Last edited:
Palmpilot said:
I didn't realize that you meant right now.

There's a sigmet for occasional severe turbulence, strong up and down drafts, and low level wind shear.
Click to expand...

And a winter weather advisory with moderate to heavy rain at lake level. I wouldn't fly in that even with FIKI, let alone in a Cherokee 180 (or a 172M). I'd expect severe icing under those circumstances.

The OP said nothing about looking for lower DA. He wanted to see the snow and get experience "mountain flying."

Flying out of TVL with a 6000 foot (or often lower in winter) DA under stable conditions with minimal wind is not mountain flying, and gives a false impression about what it's about. The only part he'd experience is the need to lean at run-up, and even then, he'd probably get away with not doing it (not that I'd suggest it). On a hot summer day, the experience would be much more meaningful, when you need to look for thermals and ridge lift to help out the climb.
 
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