Colorado Flying question...

Maddog1974

Maddog1974

Well-Known Member
So I got a job with a local flight school and they have three airplanes. This week they are purchasing two more C-172's. We get to airline to GJT, Grand Junction, Colorado, and then fly them to Anderson, South Carolina. The question is as follows...

Are there any pilot out there who can recommend a route that will keep us below the 12,000 ft oxygen requirement altitude? If we need to fly west to begin then we will. Just looking for any suggestions.

We would like to head south first, cross new mexico, and then head east. I am a CFI, CFII, and MEI, and I have been online looking at low enroutes online at skyvector. So far it looks like if we file IFR then we would have MEA's that start around 11,000 ft and then will come down from there. I saw an MEA on an airway heading north that is at 10,000 ft but later goes up.

It would be no big deal to go to altitude except that it has been about three months since my last high altitude flight and the owner does not like to fly that high if they can help it.

Appreciate any suggestions the JC community may have!
 
Don't have a map near me but off hand I'd suggest going the Southern route out of GJT toward ABQ and than turn East. Fly in good VFR wx only. There are many passes between the mountain peaks if you want to go East and flying VFR but a C172 is no match for rapidly changing wx conditions found in the mountains. It's pretty flat east of ABQ but density altitude could be a problem so plan your flights early in the morning before the air temps increase.
 
I've got a cool chart put out by the state of Colorado that is basically a sectional of just the state of Colorado and shows all the passes and best routes to fly in the mountains.

For your situation I would probably go south from GJT to the Dove Creek VOR, then southeast to the Cortez VOR. Continue ESE to to the Durango VOR and then it starts to get a bit intersting. Fly along the border between CO/NM, maybe 5-10 miles north of it and you will clear everything as the highest terrain is just over 10,000' at Cumbre pass which is about 30 NM southwest of the Alamosa VOR. From the Alamosa VOR take V210 to the flatlands and you are home free.

If it were me, I would fly it all VFR until you get to the flat lands. Obviously the altitudes can pose issues for light singles and twins, but the icing is the thing that most people seem to get bit by. Usually in Colorado, if you are in the clouds, it is either icing or a thunderstorm.

Good luck and take your camera!
 
Your best bet is to fly south as planned. There is no way to fly from GJT to SC by staying below 12,500 unless you fly south or you are comfortable with flying in the mountain passes.
 
Mountains and 172 equal VFR flying only. With whatever route you choose through the mountains make sure winds aloft are below 30kts. Also, give routine position updates to FSS. It will really help narrow the search box if something goes wrong. Finally, pack a survival kit that is packed in the expectation of spending a couple nights in the mountains.
 
I always thought O2 was just a suggestion.
16,000 direct in the superchicken opps... I meant skyhawk
 
Maddog1974 said:
Are there any pilot out there who can recommend a route that will keep us below the 12,000 ft oxygen requirement altitude?
Click to expand...

I don't really have any input in terms of routing, other than to say that I would not attempt this kind of flight in IMC in C172-type plane. You want CAVU VFR conditions, low density altitude, and calm winds aloft.

Also, there is no 12,000ft oxygen requirement.
 
Hubbs said:
I don't really have any input in terms of routing, other than to say that I would not attempt this kind of flight in IMC in C172-type plane. You want CAVU VFR conditions, low density altitude, and calm winds aloft.

Also, there is no 12,000ft oxygen requirement.
Click to expand...

Good luck fnding those low DAs
 
find a pass and go for it. dont do it if the winds aloft are over 30kts. remember, ride the waves. let it take you up as high as it wants to. youll come down an equal amount on the other side!!!

been flying a '75 172M for the last month in CO and NM....mountains are fun, but they can outclimb you.
 
Many good suggestions here already, but I'll add a few.

Keep the airplane as light as possible. One pilot is all you need, and you don't want the weight of anyone else.

Fly early in the AM. It's colder (better DA) and you shouldn't get any convective activity. I would suggest that winds aloft >20 should be cause for concern unless you have mountain experience.

IFR really isn't an option. In the Colorado mountains, if you're in a cloud, you're either getting ice or you're in a thunderstorm - depending on the time of year. Neither is a good option in a 172.

That said, on a perfect day, I might go GJT - MTJ - HBU - North Pass - La Veta Pass. I have never flown North Pass, but the rest of the route is pretty good. I don't like flying over the terrain between Salida and Pueblo - not many good forced landing sites - but Pueblo would be a good re-fueling stop.

Definitely file a flight plan and be specific with your route.
 
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