Going the Distance
October 2011
Part of the fun of personal aviation is the ability to explore new and distant places. A trip by air can take days off the same trip by car, greatly expanding your choice of vacation spots. Often your door-to-door time is better flying yourself than flying by airline, especially if your home or destination are far from major airline hub airports. And, of course, flying yourself is more fun!
Flying from a near-here to a distant-there means you'll encounter different terrain, unfamiliar weather conditions, and sometimes unique flying rules compared to what you're used to. The environment may be different enough that it requires you to change the way you fly.
Think for a moment about the typical summertime weather pattern where you live. Is it foggy in the morning? Do thunderstorms pop up almost every afternoon? Does it get so hazy it's like flying IFR as the sun nears the horizon, even when the weather report is VMC? Imagine a pilot friend from another part of the country flying out to see you for the first time. What local weather information would you want to tell him or her before making the trip?
Now reverse the scenario. You're flying to a new region for the first time. What should you know about local weather patterns before you take off? Who might you contact to get the local knowledge you need?
For instance, density altitude (DA) negatively affects airplane performance. It changes the way you must fly the airplane to get acceptable performance. Combine high DA with rugged terrain and you have a whole new learning experience. If you're flying to the mountains for the first time (or the first time in a while), it's a good idea to call ahead to an airport on the edge of the high terrain and schedule a mountain-flying instructional session before you continue into the high country. Sure, it might add half a day to your outbound trip, but it's worth it, it'll be fun and if you choose the location wisely, your family can enjoy the locale while you hone your mountain-flying skills.
Not far from Avemco's offices in Frederick, MD is one of the biggest blocks of controlled airspace in the U.S., including the Washington DC Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). As you can imagine, it has some unique rules–and if you mess up, they'll send fighter jets to escort you to the closest airport! The FAA requires that you complete an online course on ADIZ procedures before flying VFR within 60 nautical miles of the Washington, DC VOR/DME. If you're going to navigate it for the first time, it might be worthwhile to stop off at an airport just outside the boundary and invest in a little paid time with one of the local instructors to get their hints for flying in the ADIZ.
So when you plan to "go the distance" in your airplane, remember that every unique region has distinct weather patterns, different operating conditions, and, at times, unusual and complex "local" flying rules. I've mentioned only a few of the unique kinds of conditions you can encounter when you live a life in the air. Ask around for firsthand, local knowledge before you venture into new-to-you territory, and consider making your first stop somewhere near the edge of the unfamiliar environment for a scheduled visit with a local expert. Make it part of the fun of personal aviation!
Avemco® does not provide technical or legal advice. Content herein is for general information and discussion only, and is not a full analysis of the matters presented.
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