help please
 

Hi every one,

I am taking a 337 down to Coshocton, OH (KI40) this Monday the 19th. And since I do all of my flying in Canada I am looking for a little advice in getting down there with regards to routing.

I am clearing U.S. customs in Grand Forks, ND and heading over to KI40 from there. I only want to do 2.5 to 3.0 hour legs and also want to avoid flying over Lake Superior enroute. I would also like to stay away from the major centres too.

So my question then, is can any one recomend a couple of good places to stop for fuel and perhaps a bite to eat at the airport and good flight planning facilities.

Any other tid bits of information you may have is appreciated also.

Thanks in advance,
Craig

When I do long distance traveling, to an area I am unfamiliar with, I use http://www.airnav.com . Click on Aviation Fuel, and then trip planner. It will give you a few routes, up to 10, and provide cost of gas along the way. I did this for you, going from GFK to I40, and one of the preferred routings is GFK-OSH-I40. At OSH, there is a hotel, and nice restaurant, right on the field. It is 430 miles from GFK to OSH, and 370 from OSH to I40. I normally put in 450 as a maximum comfortable distance when I am planning on airnav.
The flight does take you across lake michigan, but it is a simple crossing, one that I have done many times.

Because Airnav is planning for low cost fuel, it keeps you away from the expensive big airports.

While Larry was posting his message, I was doing what he did on AirNav and chose the same results. At first, I had selected a different route with a first lap from GFK to D00 to get super-cheap $2 fuel, but further looking showed that D00 hasn't updated its fuel price since 1999, so forget it. In the end I chose the same route Larry did. Moral of the story: when you use AirNav check that the fuel price is current. The selected route, assuming good weather, should be doable in a day, with a stop at OSH for lunch, if you get out of GFK early.

One other thought. When I'm planning a trip and don't yet have Sectionals, I use www.aeroplanner.com and look at their SmartChart in the Flight Planning section.

Ernie

another web site I use regularly is http://adds.aviationweather.gov which has the ability to look at METAR and TAF, as well as forcast winds aloft. Looking at the winds for Monday (I haven't found another site that does this as well), it indicates you will have a quartering tail wind all the way.

Thanks Ernie. When I do flight planning on Airnav, I tell it to give me fuel that has been reported in the last 60 days.

Also, at OSH, Bassler will come to the hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) and fill your fuel tank while you are having lunch.

help please
 

Thanks Guys!!

That is a big help and I will check out the web sites you have suggested and use them for my flight planning.

Merry Christmas

Craig

No problem, Craig. That's what we are all here for.

BTW, Here in western michigan, Herb Harney keeps his Skymaster at GRR, I keep mine near AZO, and Gerry DeSantis keeps his at BTL.

Merry Christmas, have a good trip
Larry

one more question
 

I have decided to clear customs at Piney Pine Creek (48Y) because the fuel is alot cheaper there than Grand Forks. So to my question then, if I file direct from 48Y to KOSH this will take me through the Beaver MOA and as I approach OSH I might catch the corner of Falls MOA. Is it ok to file direct and expect ATC to vector me around these areas or should I just file around them? Or is there perhaps some "trick" to get a direct routing?

Thanks once again!

PS: I will be filing IFR if this makes a difference.

If you are filing IFR, then ATC will give you vectors around the MOA's if they are active, and if vectors are needed.
Sometimes you will be above or below the MOA, and no vectors are needed, even though it is active. Actually happened Thursday, over MO, flew under a MOA.

Also, once you come off of 48Y, expect them to change your routing.

:D :D
And those of us on the Eastern side of Mi. keep our plane at KPTK
Kevin B
:p :p

Oh, I apologize, how could I overlook our intrepid traveler from PTK.

BTW, Kevin, I landed on our runway on Saturday, about 4 inches fresh snow to make the landing softer and shorter. Works real well. Take off's are spectacular, blowing snow all over the place.

I saw the other pic that is so coooooooool !!!!
I don't think I have the Guts to do that

Beond 2 inches...
 

Be careful guy's, on the iron bird beond 2 inches we had to take weight reduction penalties! Could land with up to 6 inches of snow if braking was not reported as nil... guy the old 72 driver.....

OH, I was light in and out, Guy. I always take off light from my airport. By light, only me, and 60-70 gallons fuel.

looks like he made it