The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Looks like I'll be ferrying a helicopter from Philadelphia to San Francisco and back about the 1st of November. Looking for advice as to what weather to expect and what routes to consider through the Rockys at that time (never been there). We will be VFR as low level as we can get, doing about 100 Knots and needing JetA about every 2.25 hours. Any suggestions?

Use the fuel planning feature of http://www.airnav.com

I've used airnav and several other sources but they don't tell me what weather conditions I'm likely to encounter. It doesn't snow here in Philly till Jan. but I'll bet there is snow in the Rockys. Also a mountian here in the Philly area is 3000 ft agl. This would be a mole hill out west.

Any places I need to stop cause the food is great or there is food at all. Or maybe there is a place with a thing-a-ma-bob sitting on the ramp you just have to see.

I'm figuring cause of the time of year I'm likely to find snow or cold temps or winds in the Rockys. I think I should go South to El Paso then follow the border north west to San Francisco. Is that necessary? Or is it still realitivily safe to go through more north to visit the Grand Canyon or from Cheyenne to the Great Salt Lake to Tahoe to San Francisco. Like I said I've only been over the Rockys 2 times at 30,000ft. I don't need to attempt a crossing that the locals would do.

Bruce, I have not flown it yet, want to though. The weather conditions change constantly, more often the closer you get to the Rockies. Today you might have clear sailing, tomorrow the head winds might make your ground speed 10 knots. Following Interstate 40 would keep you close to cities for fuel, rest stops, and lots of points of interest including the Grand Canyon. Once you got past the mountains you could angle up to San Francisco. If wind or weather started becoming a problem you would have the option of heading for a more southern route. If you choose I40, DFW would not be a huge detour. There are some fun things to do and great food in this area. Been told that many a C150 has made the trip, so a 170 or a helicopter should be a piece of cake.

Here's what I would suggest: First, use airnav.com to determing best fuel prices and route/distances between stops. Second use Flight Service to get weather briefings. (doh). Third, use IFR enroute charts to determine minimum obstruction clearance altitudes on routes through the area.

Invest in a Garmin 195 with a new (Oct. 2002!) data base to keep you clear of the newest TFR's!!! It will give you the 10 nearest airports at the touch of a button with fuel data, runway info(which you won't need) and other ammenties included.

I've lived and flown a lot in the Rockies and believe me the wx can change quickly. At this time of year the snow levels come on down to 5000 MSL.

My "for what its worth", Go the southerly route that takes you around Elpaso,TX and weather will be less of a problem for VFR.
There are enough airports along that route to stop as often as you need. It will add a few miles to your enroute distance but lessen the "pucker factor" for sure.

Living now in NW Washington state in the summers and central AZ in the winters and having flown all around the West I think you're on the right track with I40. You're doing it at a time of the year when if you do get bad weather it won't last more than a few days, but as someone said if it is coming in it can change awfully fast in the mountains. Also you don't mention your service ceiling or what altitudes are good to cruise at with that equipment. I 40 would allow 7-10,000 ft cruising, maybe even make it at 8k and less. It would also be South of the real mountain weather unless a good sized system comes in. Anywhere along I 40 you could go South by a little bit and get to lower elevations also.

Take a good look at the incredible amount of military airspace out here. If you want to avoid MOAs etc (which I heartily reccommend) there are only a few routes AZ to the CA valley. One good one is past Vegas which I 40 does for you. Takes you right past area 51 which you don't want to get into as it's like the bermuda triangle. If you try North of there, say Denver Salt Lake Tahoe it becomes a challenge to find the route at lower elevations and no Military conflicts. Plus I'll bet you would have real problems with fuel stops.

If weather comes in on the I 40 route you could go a little further South and take my C170 route of I 10 to Barstow and then around Edwards AFB and up the CA Valley. That would help ease the weather problem and really not be a terrible amount of extra flying. Whatever you do you're in for a great trip if you have time to take and don't have to make a schedule. Have fun!

Stop and eat at Catfish McGehees on the Red River between DFW and OK City. They are on the sectional, GREAT food. Let me know and I'll meet you there, they have a grass strip and it's 35 minutes from GPM. From there, I'll try to talk you into a detour down to my neck of the woods. Breakfast at LNC is tasty and really cheap. You can have dove, etc. at the Wild Onion west of Ft Worth on your way out. The most fun flyin of the year in this area is Reklaw during the last weekend of this month. There were helicopters there last year. If you wanted to leave a few days earlier than Nov 1st, that would be a flyin you would really enjoy. Meals are available and transportation to motels if you didn't want to camp.

Thanks Guys that just what I was looking for. Seems I40 or south is the way to go. I had figured that myself but as I'll be flying out and back I wanted to take a different route each direction. I've already done as George has suggested and it seems there is fuel available at enough places either way I go.

I'll be flying a brand new Eurocopter Astar B2 loaded with ENG equipment on the western leg. I have a Garmin 430 and a Garmin 420 on board. I shouldn't get lost. Service ceiling is 20000ft so no problem there but us helicopter pilots generally don't fly more than 500ft AGL. I'll be in a hurry going west as the TV station is waiting for the ship and I'll leave as soon as the paint drys.

Going back east I'll be flying an old heavy Bell JetRanger. I'll have a single com radio that may not work and my Garmin 90 hand held. I may have some more time for detours on the way home but since I'm being payed the boss will want his helicopter home pretty quick.

Joe maybe I can work out a visit. Sure would love to make Reklaw but that just won't happen.

Bruce, keep me informed if you feel you will have time for a visit. They brought the helicopters up from the gulf coast and parked them at GPM to avoid the hurricane. Most of them are the ones they use to ferry workers out to the rigs, there were about 20 or so. Two of them had 10 windows on each side, looked like they could carry as many people as a DC3. It was fun walking around looking at them. The pilots & crew members seemed to be a crusty sort of group. That's a shame about missing Reklaw. It would be fun to sample a flyin from a different region. Hope your trips are safe and fun, and you have time on your return leg to stop and enjoy the area.

Judging by your admiration of the helicopters, Joe, ...it begins to make sense that you think your airplane is fast.

George, it's funny, now that you mention it - I like looking at your airplane, and NOW I understand why I was thinking of yours while I was walking around looking at those helicopters Maybe yours would fly faster if you would fly it differently, hitch a ride in mine and I'll show you how to climb on out in a 170

From Philly to SF in a helo with a 20K service ceiling is a piece o cake. follow US 80 to Rock Springs Wy, and then into Heber City UT. and thru the canyon to Provo and you are home free. Direct into Reno and SF. Highest you need to get is 7k.
WEATHER watch the WEATHER.
3 things you need to remember when flying in the mountains in NOVEMBER.
WEATHER
WEATHER
ROCK and CLOUDS mix

Sounds to me like all you have is a bunch of two hour and fifteen minute cross country flights. Any student pilot could do it!(Grin!)

Bruce... Make sure you tell us the story when you get back. Sounds like a lot of fun and an adventure.
Bob