Thread: Phoenix - WA State trip

With a little cooperation from the weather - We're planning a trip to Central Washington from Phoenix this week (KDVT-KELN). About 900 NMiles. Any words of wisdom? I'm planning to pass through St. George UT, Battle Mountain NV, & Burns OR, but only expect to stop for fuel in Battle Mtn, which is about half way. Except for flying early, to avoid bumps and thunderstorms, anybody have thoughts about flying through the semi-high mountainous Nevada?

thanx,
Tim

Bowers field in Ellensburg. I was born in Ellensburg and my dad and I went to drag races at Bowers field when I was a kid. Trip report please when you're back.

40th class reunion - Ellensburg Bulldog, class of '69!!!

Tim

Have a great time. I'm class of '70 Cle Elum High. I bet we have more than a few things in common.

Originally Posted by CT4ME

With a little cooperation from the weather - We're planning a trip to Central Washington from Phoenix this week (KDVT-KELN). About 900 NMiles. Any words of wisdom? I'm planning to pass through St. George UT, Battle Mountain NV, & Burns OR, but only expect to stop for fuel in Battle Mtn, which is about half way. Except for flying early, to avoid bumps and thunderstorms, anybody have thoughts about flying through the semi-high mountainous Nevada?

thanx,
Tim

Keep an eye out for thunderstorms. You might consider a slightly longer route that takes you to KONT first, and then north along the San Joaquin valley to avoid fall thunderstorms, and avoid desolate terrain. The western route will require less oxygen.

i can see the highest peak in nevada from my window. the nevada mountains are not high for a ct but they are high enough to keep you crusing near 10k.

Originally Posted by CT4ME

anybody have thoughts about flying through the semi-high mountainous Nevada?

My thoughts are that it is f%cking boring flying across much of Nevada. There is very little out there.

Roger Fane:


You should try eastern Montana and then from there through North Dakota!

Or our Canadian equivalent of eastern Alberta, Saskatchewan and western Manitoba!

Will make Nevada look like a scenic paradise!

Cheers,

Jos

In either case, it miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles - or kilometers as the case may be!

Trip Report- *great* trip with ideal weather!

4 flying days... with 19.3 hours added to the hobbs.
Day 1 – Phoenix (KDVT) to Battle Mountain NV (KBAM). 4.8 hours of smooth, crystal clear flyin’ - mostly 10,500, 130-135 kts ground speed
Battle Mtn NVv(KBAM) to Burns OR (KBNO). 2.5 hours of Nasty, bumpy. - mostly 10,500 at 110-120 kts (speed limited by what we could take)
Day 2 – Burns OR to Ellensburg WA (KELN). 2.7 hrs smooth sailing. 1.5 hours above clouds at 10.5k, 125-130 kts ground speed
Day 3 – Ellensburg WA to Twin Falls ID (KTWF). 3.4 hrs smooth flyin’.. 11,500 at 135-150 kts ground speed
Day 4 – Twin Falls to Page (KPA) (over SLC). 3.7 of Smooth at 12,500+, 135 kts ground speed
Page to Phoenix. 2.2 hrs of clear, but nasty/bumpy 100-120 kts

Talked with Flight Centers the whole way, except maybe 1.5 hrs in middle of Nevada.
Landed in Twin Falls with winds 28, gusting to 38. Interesting.
Lesson learned (again and again, why don't I listen...?) - DON'T fly after about 11:30am where there are thermals, unless you want the h*ll beat out of you!

Great FBOs in Burns OR (KBNO) and Twin Falls ID (KTWF)... Overnight courtesy cars and great service.

Tim & Lynell

speeds below show "average", which included warmup and shutdown time, plus long climbs to 10k or 12k. Actual cruise was much faster - long segments in Idaho were 163-168 mph! 'love those tailwinds!