DrBenny
New Member
I'd like opinions as to the feasibility of this trip. Some background first: I am a non-IR pilot (with about 30 hours instrument/hood/sim time), about 250 hours total in the past 2.5 years, 25 PIC hours cross-country, and my longest cross-country to date has been nearly 300 n.m. total (round trip).
This flight would be an overnight trip from BWI (Baltimore/Washington)-DDH(Morse State, Vermont)-BWI. I have flown this trip before, but with my CFII, under IFR. I would definitely use the 182 for this one. The 182S is /G (KLN89B), and has two VORs, two radios and an ADF. By airways, the total mileage one-way comes out to 290 n.m. from BWI, a bit more if I leave from FDK. I would plan the course of the flight using the Low Alt Enroute Charts, and I would refer to the sectionals and TACs as needed (especially in terminal areas and on takoff and departure). I would flight plan for 7,500 and 8,500, and expect a cruise of 135 kts. I estimate a no-wind enroute time of 2.3 hours, each way. The flight would be in early April, so I have ample time to plan.
My concerns with their solutions are:
1) Weather. I would need reasonably good VFR weather during the two days, or I obviously could not complete the flight. Solution: buy two Southwest tix as a backup. (Fly into ALB, rent a car, and drag all the way to Bennington.)
2) Distance. This trip is almost double my longest cross-country to date. Solution: Plan it the way you plan all long X-Cs: one leg at a time. I would have a overview on a piece of paper that would be a general guide, in addition to the regular X-C logs.
3) Problem: Get-there-itis, and Get-home-itis. Solution: if in doubt, use the Southwest tix.
I know that for many of you--especially those of you with your IR--this would be an easy trip.
Any advice, aside from "Try to get your IR within the next month?"
Ben Myers, PP-ASEL
Enjoying every minute
This flight would be an overnight trip from BWI (Baltimore/Washington)-DDH(Morse State, Vermont)-BWI. I have flown this trip before, but with my CFII, under IFR. I would definitely use the 182 for this one. The 182S is /G (KLN89B), and has two VORs, two radios and an ADF. By airways, the total mileage one-way comes out to 290 n.m. from BWI, a bit more if I leave from FDK. I would plan the course of the flight using the Low Alt Enroute Charts, and I would refer to the sectionals and TACs as needed (especially in terminal areas and on takoff and departure). I would flight plan for 7,500 and 8,500, and expect a cruise of 135 kts. I estimate a no-wind enroute time of 2.3 hours, each way. The flight would be in early April, so I have ample time to plan.
My concerns with their solutions are:
1) Weather. I would need reasonably good VFR weather during the two days, or I obviously could not complete the flight. Solution: buy two Southwest tix as a backup. (Fly into ALB, rent a car, and drag all the way to Bennington.)
2) Distance. This trip is almost double my longest cross-country to date. Solution: Plan it the way you plan all long X-Cs: one leg at a time. I would have a overview on a piece of paper that would be a general guide, in addition to the regular X-C logs.
3) Problem: Get-there-itis, and Get-home-itis. Solution: if in doubt, use the Southwest tix.
I know that for many of you--especially those of you with your IR--this would be an easy trip.
Any advice, aside from "Try to get your IR within the next month?"
Ben Myers, PP-ASEL
Enjoying every minute