Route suggestions?

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Sundancer

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Thinking of taking a C-150 from coastal NC to SoCal, Hemet-Ryan airport, and return. This isn't a ferry flight, and I'm in no hurry. I soloed there in 1973, and it's a modest bucket list trip for me. I have not started planning yet, just looking for opinions on general routing. Timing is mid-late October - the plane and I are both IFR capable, but be real, it's a C-150 - I'm not gonna bore through the clag in it for three hours. I might file IFR, or maybe just see how many legs I can do without keying a mic until landing.
 
Without looking closely, in a 150, I'd start with I-40, which goes all the way from Wilmington to Barstow. Highest terrain will be around Albuquerque. Lower terrain to the south, so look to the south of that for good airport options for fueling, stopovers, diversions.
 
It shouidn't be an issue at all. You'll be able to pretty much pick whatever altitude you want until you hit the mountains around ABQ. Then if you're 8500ft or higher you can pick your route through the mountains. Be prepaired to sit out some days due to ice as you get to the west. Last year we were doing a big circle XC across the US and delayed our trip to the Grand Canyon due to the snow they were getting in October. (It had all melted and we had CAVU Wx the next day.)

Do you happen to have ForeFlight with a Subscription that has the Hazzard Advisor? It will really make your planning easier for picking the "big picture" route and then more specifically for each leg.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Without looking closely, in a 150, I'd start with I-40, which goes all the way from Wilmington to Barstow. Highest terrain will be around Albuquerque. Lower terrain to the south, so look to the south of that for good airport options for fueling, stopovers, diversions.
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Like he said - I-40 pretty much all the way. I flew my plane over that route from the middle of NC to Southern CA about ten years ago. A convenient place to stop was Belen NM (KBRG),
which is South of ABQ. Also spent the night in Paris, TN.

Dave
 
Actually, about flying IFR... It might be the thing to do when you finally get to So Cal. The airspace is crazy and it might just be worth flying the last leg or so IFR just so you don't have to deal with the airspace.
 
I have a couple of small ideas to consider. If you can, read Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck. There is a lot of discussion about flying the mountain passes in a Piper Cub. His methodology should be of interest to you. Also I am new to using IFlyefb. It has the ability to adjust flight plan altitude on the map, as you adjust altitude the terrain shades, showing you the passes as they open up or close off. A very handy feature indeed. This should help you decide the best routes for your flight legs.
 
Having enjoyed cross country flying for over 60 years, I’ve found my strategies have changed as I down sized from 190mph with 6 hr range(PA30 and BE 35both with tip tanks) to a Cessna 172 with a 4 hr range. Going west from SE New Mexico, I fly IFR(I follow roads, especially interstates) due to head winds, cold fronts that move quicker in the winter and fall, so I can fly up to the front and sit down. They usually pass by the next AM. I fly lower in the 172 so turbulence makes me start earlier in the AM and I shut it down sooner. The interstates provide more airports along the way to call it a day and set down. Going east, much easier. Find a gap in the fronts, fly along at higher ground speeds, higher altitudes, divert left or right as needed. Going east, I have a plan and can execute it most of the time. Going west, I might set out with a plan, but options as I fly along are usually needed more frequently. 35 mph head winds thru the passes are no go when going west. Same pass with a tail wind no problem since I can slow to maneuvering speed and still have decent ground speed. Real IFR skills are useful east of texas(or descending into West Coast) not so much from west of texas. Just thoughts, sounds exciting, but having just returned from a 1000 mile cross country from NM to OHIO and back in 6 days to attend a funeral, I’m exhausted. I use to be ready for my next trip in a month, now it’s 4 months, but 1500 mile is my limit. After a couple days, I’m beat.
 
Sundancer said:
Thinking of taking a C-150 from coastal NC to SoCal, Hemet-Ryan airport, and return. This isn't a ferry flight, and I'm in no hurry. I soloed there in 1973, and it's a modest bucket list trip for me. I have not started planning yet, just looking for opinions on general routing. Timing is mid-late October - the plane and I are both IFR capable, but be real, it's a C-150 - I'm not gonna bore through the clag in it for three hours. I might file IFR, or maybe just see how many legs I can do without keying a mic until landing.
Click to expand...
If this is your first time back there since 73, stand by for some culture shock.
 
Not flying advice, but trip advice. Since you said you were in no hurry, I'd try to combine it with something else to maybe make it even more memorable, especially if you're taking someone else along. Maybe try different bbq along the way, or stop at or fly over things you find interesting.

A doctor friend of mine often flies IFR even when he's just making a VFR sight seeing trip. The reason being, he can still stay reasonably low, 4k+, but have better traffic avoidance and overall a simpler trip. From him, as long as you're not around a bunch of class b's it's very simple.
 
M20K said:
Actually, about flying IFR... It might be the thing to do when you finally get to So Cal. The airspace is crazy and it might just be worth flying the last leg or so IFR just so you don't have to deal with the airspace.
Click to expand...
VFR into HMT from the East is a snooze airspace wise. No advantage to going IFR to avoid C and B hassles like some places. It’s pretty easy to navigate SoCal airspace VFR. They have it down to a science out there. Lotsa VFR ‘tunnels’ through the B’s
 
M20K said:
It shouidn't be an issue at all. You'll be able to pretty much pick whatever altitude you want until you hit the mountains around ABQ. Then if you're 8500ft or higher you can pick your route through the mountains. Be prepaired to sit out some days due to ice as you get to the west. Last year we were doing a big circle XC across the US and delayed our trip to the Grand Canyon due to the snow they were getting in October. (It had all melted and we had CAVU Wx the next day.)

Do you happen to have ForeFlight with a Subscription that has the Hazzard Advisor? It will really make your planning easier for picking the "big picture" route and then more specifically for each leg.
Click to expand...
Yep, been a FF user for quite a while.
 
luvflyin said:
If this is your first time back there since 73, stand by for some culture shock.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've been to SoCal for work a few times in recent years. It's sad, even depressing. I lived there for a while (twice) in the early 70s. What a debacle.
 
Just echoing others, I-40 route would work. Go south of the Albuquerque Class C for terrain avoidance. Very easy to do with the usual 99+ miles of visibility. In October there might be some snow showers along the way, but usually easily circumnavigatable.

Belen is a good stop. Gallup is good if shopping for southwest and native items, but higher on fuel. Just watch out for the snattlerakes...
 
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