California to North Dakota

GAD · Post by **GAD** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:10 am

Hi Gents! Itâ€™s been over a year since I started imposing on all of you with questions about your old classics. Iâ€™m proud to say that itâ€™s finally led to my recent purchase of a 1948 Rag-wing 170.

Iâ€™ll be the first to admit that sheâ€™s not much to look at, but following some disappointing, high priced prospects, I decided to buy a low cost machine knowing that I would have to put my own time, effort and (as always) dollars into it but in the end know exactly what I have.

If everything goes according to plan, Iâ€™ll be flying it home next weekend, 2-3 Feb. With all the great support information that Iâ€™ve read on this site over the last year, I was hoping that I might be able to establish a sort of safety net for the route home. I was thinking it would be good to have a list of contacts along the route that might be interested in lending a hand or know who to contact if something starts to go wrong (i.e. stuck valve). Ideally nothing will go wrong and Iâ€™ll have a list of 170 folks to say hello to and an opportunity to see some well kept 170s.

My route from Napa, CA to Gladstone, MB (Canada) is planned (weather permitting) as follows:

Napa, CA / Davis, CA / Sacramento, CA / Truckee, CA / Reno, NV / Lovelock, NV / Winnemucca, NV (fuel stop) / Jerome, ID / Rexburg, ID (fuel and overnight) / West Yellowstone, ID / Gardiner, MT / Big Timber, MT / Roundup, MT (fuel stop) / Williston, ND / Bottineau, ND (fuel) / Dunseith, ND / Gladstone, MB

The number of fuel stops may change depending on winds but I tried to keep the legs close to 300 nm. On that note, anyone planning a trip may want to look at AirNav.com for lots of good information on airports, FBOs, etc. Itâ€™s a great tool.

I should also ask what you experienced long trippers recommend packing in a carry along tool bag? I pan on packing some basic tools and all the manuals.

Thanks again for all the advice to date. Iâ€™m looking forward to the trip and the opportunity to meet some of you fine folks along the way.

Greg

P.S. How do you post pictures?[/img]

N2255D · Post by **N2255D** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:58 am

P.S. How do you post pictures?[/img]

Look here;
http://cessna170.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1574

cessna170bdriver · Post by **cessna170bdriver** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:44 am

Greg,

Quick! Join the Association! One of the benefits is a directory of all members. Those willing to provide help or hospitality to fellow members have a special notation by their entry. Jan @ headquarters can possibly overnight you one if you join soon.

As far as tools and parts, I used to carry quite a bit, but invariably what I would end up needing wasn't there, especially in the parts department. These days I carry just enough to remove the cowl (Phillips screwdriver) and change a spark plug (3/4 open end wrench and 7/8 deep socket with ratchet or breaker bar), and a spare fuel tank sump drain with wrench for that, plus .032 safety wire and pliers. Anything much more serious than that, and I'll ask for help.

I'm southeast of your starting point, so I can't be of any direct help while you're enroute. Be very careful of your route through the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Sacramento to Truckee to Reno). Even if the weather is good, it can change quickly, especially this time of year. Keep abreast of the latest forecasts. Also, West Yellowstone is in Montana, near both the Wyoming and Idaho borders. You apparently aren't planning a fuel stop there, but the airport IS closed from December through May. I was there in July of 1995 and still experienced morning temps below freezing. I can't imagine the temps you'll see in February.

Congratulations on your new baby and good luck getting her home! Let us know how it goes.

Miles

flat country pilot · Post by **flat country pilot** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:41 pm

Congratulations Greg

I am one hour south of Bottineau ND, so I won't be of much help to you.

However, Bottineau has a good mechanic if you need one. I don't know him, but have a relative that takes all his spray planes there, has for years.

I like the way you bought your plane. That's how I buy farm equipment, brand new or completely run out. This way you know exactly what you have. Anything in between is a roll of the dice.

Bill

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:37 pm

Very few airport mechanics these days work on tailwheels. Either carry a spare tire/tube... or depart with a fresh one installed. (That you inflated a day or two before departure.)

GAD · Post by **GAD** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:03 am

Miles: I had to give in to your high pressure sales pitch! "Quick! Join the Association!" My wife will appreciate the free juicer!

Actually, with all the great advice that I've been given and read on this site over the last year it was probably time I paid some dues.

Regards,
Greg

cessna170bdriver · Post by **cessna170bdriver** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:00 am

gahorn wrote:Very few airport mechanics these days work on tailwheels. Either carry a spare tire/tube... or depart with a fresh one installed. (That you inflated a day or two before departure.)

Good catch, George; I just had a (Bravo Foxtrot) and forgot that I also carry a spare tailwheel tire and tube with me.

GAD wrote:Miles: I had to give in to your high pressure sales pitch! "Quick! Join the Association!" My wife will appreciate the free juicer! Actually, with all the great advice that I've been given and read on this site over the last year it was probably time I paid some dues.

Regards,
Greg

WELCOME!

Roesbery · Post by **Roesbery** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:33 am

You probably have already done so but don't forget windshield, wing and tail covers and a insulated engine cover and a engine heater. Can double as part of your survival gear. Might consider a more northern route also. Redding, Alturas, CA, Lakeview, Burns, Ontario, OR, Boise, Coeur d' Alene, Bonners Ferry, ID, cross the border at Cranbrook BC and the rockies towards Calgary or Lethbridge. Then you will be in the flat country and if you can get between storm systems moving west to east you could make good time. Avoids the serious high country. Have flown that route from the north (Fairbanks AK) in late December and it's a matter of staying between winter storms.

Indopilot · Post by **Indopilot** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:43 am

Just finished watching the news on our ch 13. The weather guesser usually is fairly accurate. Anyway they are calling for a seris of winter storms sweeping down from the north west with 3-5 days between them. Hope you can syncronize between them. We like the storms and really need the rain down here. Tucson seems to be hogging all the rain lately.

N2218B · Post by **N2218B** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:15 pm

This time of year I would skip West Yellowstone and Gardiner. West is closed and the snow is real deep right now. Plus there are some very tall mountains to cross between the two. My suggestion would be from Rexburg to Bozeman then Livingston then Big Timber. You are in valleys with roads, people and airports rather than over rugged unforgiving terrain.

GAD · Post by **GAD** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:43 pm

N2218B: thanks very much for the local info. I had that route highlighted on the map (Raysnolds Pass, Hwy 89, Ennis- Big Sky, Sportsmans) but will now consider it plan A. My reason for stopping at Rexburg is to top up on fuel and the latest weather before taking on the mountain passes.

Roesbary: thanks for the North route sugestion. I will certainly look at that option if plan A is questionable. I am working on the engine cover.

For what it is worth, I have an airline ticket home as my last resort!

George / Miles / flat country pilot: thanks for the suggestions. Is there a standard size tailwheel tire and tube? I have a Scott 3200 tailwheel.

Thanks,
Greg

cessna170bdriver · Post by **cessna170bdriver** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:56 pm

Greg,

That tailwheel is commonly called an 8-inch tailwheel (I suppose because of the OUTSIDE diameter) but the actual size when you go to order a tire and tube is a 2.80/2.50 x4. Chief Aircraft (go to the bottom of the page) is one source; there are many others.

Miles

Post by **GAHorn** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:22 am

Sometimes you can find a free tube with a new tire. Desser Tire sometimes has such specials. McCreary is the most common brand of tire. Avoid leaky chinese tubes. Get a McCreary, Goodyear or other major brand tube.

S2D · Post by **S2D** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:46 pm

GAD
Assume you are already gone and won't check this again, but if you do and the weather looks iffy from Rexburg to Bozeman, a flight from Rexburg to Cody, Wyo is absolutely Gorgeous this time of year. From there to 1S3 (we have a mechanic that knows C-170's and avgas) or on to Miles City.
Brian

flyguy · Post by **flyguy** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:36 pm

AVOID ORANGE COLORED SPLOTCHES ON YOUR SECTIONAL CHART WHILE FLYING EAST!!

Remember "Rivers of Air" are just like rivers of water - - they fall at an enormous rate on the downwind edge of terrain. Updrafts on the upwind sides can give you tremendous assistance in gaining altitude but the opposite for downdrafts - - you can't outclimb them! And the effect is several thousand feet thick. CAVU does not mean "zero" wind - -but wishing you CAVU anyway.

BTW Miles - I think Jan is in Las-Vegas this week.

http://www.landings.com/_landings/pages ... t_apt.html

Straight line plan from "landings.com".

Carry "COLD WEATHER" survival gear! Make sure your elt is working and even better - -portable. Remember Steve Fossett? His episode was in the summer time.

The International Cessna^® 170 Association

California to North Dakota

California to North Dakota

Re: California to North Dakota

AVOID ORANGE!