A real cross country...

B

beechpilot

Well-Known Member
I just had the experience of a lifetime taking a Piper Cherokee 235 from Maine to northwestern Texas with the proud new owner, a new private pilot. It was an excellent experience to say the least! Thanks to the folks from Expressjet and Continental for the great flights home yesterday!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N8521N
 
You should have let me known when you were in LNS! I was about to fly up there the Tuesday anyway. Looks like a fun trip though!
 
beechpilot said:
I just had the experience of a lifetime taking a Piper Cherokee 235 from Maine to northwestern Texas with the proud new owner, a new private pilot. It was an excellent experience to say the least! Thanks to the folks from Expressjet and Continental for the great flights home yesterday!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N8521N
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How do you like the 235, I always wanted to fly one, I really like most 4 seat cherokees but they are always a bit short in power, the 235 is probably a workhorse?
 
swisspilot said:
How do you like the 235, I always wanted to fly one, I really like most 4 seat cherokees but they are always a bit short in power, the 235 is probably a workhorse?
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This thing is not short on power! It climbs like crazy...this winter the VSI was pegged at 2200 FPM. It's truly a good performing airplane.
 
beechpilot said:
This thing is not short on power! It climbs like crazy...this winter the VSI was pegged at 2200 FPM. It's truly a good performing airplane.
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...except for cruise speed.
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Congrats on the flight. Taking a GA aircraft at a couple thousand feet across the country is truely an experience.
 
Douglas said:
...except for cruise speed.
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Congrats on the flight. Taking a GA aircraft at a couple thousand feet across the country is truely an experience.
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Yeah, I admit cruise speed is something to be desired with this plane...it only trues out at 135, but considering it's fixed gear I guess I can't complain a whole lot.
 
I thought I would post my X-Country experience since I just got back yesterday. I flew from Junction City, KS to Sierra Vista, AZ in a Cherokee 140 :eek:. Not quite the performer you have, but got me there and back with no issues.
 
TOP said:
I thought I would post my X-Country experience since I just got back yesterday. I flew from Junction City, KS to Sierra Vista, AZ in a Cherokee 140 :eek:. Not quite the performer you have, but got me there and back with no issues.
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Wow, that sounds like a pretty cool trip! How was the weather along the route?

On a side note, I broke 1000 hours today! It doesn't really mean much as far as job options, but still a cool milestone.
 
mshunter said:
You guys have small bladders or does the airplane?
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There were 3 of us including an older gentleman (the buyers' father), so we decided to stop a few times more than necessary. It was nice to stretch after 2.5 to 3 hours anyway. The plane is capable of 6 hours nonstop including reserve fuel. If I had been alone, I'd have done 5 hour legs for sure.
 
mshunter said:
You guys have small bladders or does the airplane?
Click to expand...
The airplane... LOL I had to stop 3 times inroute.It was a cool trip. The weather caught us on the first night had to stay in Lordsburg, NM then on into Sierra Vista. On the way home we ran from the weather all the way into Kansas. 800+ NM one way. The wife says its time to get a little bigger, FASTER plane. I will oblige one day...
 
TOP said:
The airplane... LOL I had to stop 3 times inroute.It was a cool trip. The weather caught us on the first night had to stay in Lordsburg, NM then on into Sierra Vista. On the way home we ran from the weather all the way into Kansas. 800+ NM one way. The wife says its time to get a little bigger, FASTER plane. I will oblige one day...
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Weather was my main concern when our trip started, but somehow it was mostly VFR the entire trip. We ran into a little actual between MA and TN but our routes went nicely between the few storms that were out there.
 
You'll always remember trips like this, no matter what else you end up doing throughout your career. I can still remember vivid details of the 4 long ferry flights I've ever done; CA to VA in a 152, VA to TX and back in a Ercoupe, and MD to AL in a 172.
 
beechpilot said:
There were 3 of us including an older gentleman (the buyers' father), so we decided to stop a few times more than necessary. It was nice to stretch after 2.5 to 3 hours anyway. The plane is capable of 6 hours nonstop including reserve fuel. If I had been alone, I'd have done 5 hour legs for sure.
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Oh man. You didn't mention 3 people. Trying to coridinate 3 bladders is a MAJOR PITA! I'd have had 45mins. to an hour in between on a trip with three. Two would be "Just hold it," or "here, use this bottle."

But three, nah, good call on the stops. I think most of us would have done the same.
 
mshunter said:
Can we trade wifes?
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No way... LOL She is even supportive of a flying career after this Army gig is up.
19 Yrs of marriage, 23 yrs of Army career and she still is game for:
1. a bigger airplane,
2. a "new" career in civil aviation.
 
TOP said:
No way... LOL She is even supportive of a flying career after this Army gig is up.
19 Yrs of marriage, 23 yrs of Army career and she still is game for:
1. a bigger airplane,
2. a "new" career in civil aviation.
Click to expand...


Well then can my wife take an intership with your wife?
 
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