Were should a new pilot go in Utah?

[AV8AG]

Hello all, got my private a few months ago but have not been flying much mostly because I am sick of putting around in the practice area. So any thoughts for day-trips from the salt lake area, 500$ humbuger or cool sights? For reference I am flying an Archer II right now out of KBTF and KSVR, thanks for any ideas.

 

[Randomskylane]

Congrats on the private!!

I m on the east coast so I don’t have any ideas, though I plan to visit a friend in park city next year

So you are ready for mountain flying?

 

[GaryM]

Hello all, got my private a few months ago but have not been flying much mostly because I am sick of putting around in the practice area. So any thoughts for day-trips from the salt lake area, 500$ humbuger or cool sights? For reference I am flying an Archer II right now out of KBTF and KSVR, thanks for any ideas.

After I moved back to Idaho and got a rental checkout up in the panhandle (a part of the state with which I was NOT familiar), I asked the instructor who gave me the checkout the same question. I quickly got a list of a dozen airports that he said would be fun, scenic, and would largely keep me from getting into trouble in the mountains.

I'd ask your instructor, or any local instructor, the same question.

 

[luvflyin]

Hello all, got my private a few months ago but have not been flying much mostly because I am sick of putting around in the practice area. So any thoughts for day-trips from the salt lake area, 500$ humbuger or cool sights? For reference I am flying an Archer II right now out of KBTF and KSVR, thanks for any ideas.

Congrats and welcome to POA. Wendover KENV sounds cool. There’s a WWII museum there according to ForeFlight comments. How about Beaver U52 just because of the cool name.

 

[MountainDude]

For $500, you got loads of options:
- Bryce canyon, walk to the park and hike
- St George, rent a car, and visit the area (multiple trips). Dont forget Snow Canyon.
- Moab, rent a car, spend many weekends exploring the area
- Driggs, ID, rent a car and explore GTNP and YNP
- Montrose, CO. rent a car and explore the San Juans (many weekends)
- (maybe) Page, AZ. Months of exploring the area.

Have fun!

 

[AV8AG]

For $500, you got loads of options:
- Bryce canyon, walk to the park and hike
- St George, rent a car, and visit the area (multiple trips). Dont forget Snow Canyon.
- Moab, rent a car, spend many weekends exploring the area
- Driggs, ID, rent a car and explore GTNP and YNP
- Montrose, CO. rent a car and explore the San Juans (many weekends)
- (maybe) Page, AZ. Months of exploring the area.

Have fun!

Bryce is definitely on my list, I am worried about the altitude given my highest landings are ~5000ft.

Definitely planing a trip to St.George given my folks love it there.

Driggs is interesting to me, sounded like they had a good on airport restaurant but it might have closed. Regardless I have a friend who lives up there so I should make a trip.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[idahoflier]

Tough time of year for XC's. Some good suggestions. Next summer head up to 2U7 or MYL. WMC might be fun this fall/winter or even RNO...

 

[Gary Ward]

Congrats on the PPL.
I guess since you live in Salt Lake the salt flats are boring to fly over?
It would seem to be a really safe terrain to fly over? lol
You live in a beautiful state, been there a few times in my life. I can't imagine getting to fly over any of it.
Fly safe!

 

[iflyvfr]

KVEL, I'd go south to get around the higher terrain. Get the crew car or rent one and drive to Dinosaur National Monument. Great park, amazing exhibits if you like dinos. I did it in my O-300 172 at the time coming from the north (Rawlings, MT krwl).

 

[murphey]

Join the Utah pilots association. It will have flying and more ideas.

 

[MRC01]

I second the suggestion for Moab. I've flown out there from the Seattle area several times over the years in my 172. It's a fun, scenic flight and Moab is a cool place with a nice airport and lots to do.
My other suggestion is to wait for the weather to improve (summer 2026) before going there. It crosses some rough high terrain where you don't want to be if weather is worse than forecast.

 

[kayoh190]

I guess since you live in Salt Lake the salt flats are boring to fly over?

I used to occasionally fly an MD-80 into Wendover, and there was a VOR approach that'd take you right over the top of the salt flats. This was in the days of dive and drive, and we'd break out, level off at the MDA, and it was like flying over the surface of the moon.

 

[AV8AG]

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[JeffB]

Hurricane, UT is very nice with a well-maintained runway and good fuel. You can then tour the surrounding area on foot, off road vehicle, or in the air with lots of day tours available once you are there.