new PB nonstop - 980 nm in 4.5 hours

LaBelle- aint much there.

 

fishing tourney I guess....

nice flight Rob!

 

That's a long way in a single..

Were you solo ? I can only imagine the things that would be going though my mind in terms of check and recheck and check again on a flight that long especially solo

 

What's that supposed to mean? Is a twin more suited to long distance or something?

Good job Rob.

 

Did you always have land in sight... when you did the dogleg SE?

 

It would be in a 150 or 172, but 4 hrs in a HP single is not a big deal. Can cover a lot of ground doing near 200 kts GS. Now going home non-stop might be another thing (fly LOP and carry a bottle).

 

Less than 4 hours... that's a fast little plane... my only issue would be the bladder thing.

 

You get vectored around the Columbus MOAs? Kinda annoying... I went down that way to Florida a couple weeks ago and got the run around to clear them.

 

Was it VMC?

I used to do trips like this VFR at 17.5k'.

Hell, I do lots of short trips VFR in the Pilatus because I don't like all the ATC vectors.

 

Its just my mechanical brain worrying me, I hear every creak, rattle, pop, bang, squeak and think the whole show is about to end any second... Have you ever taxied without your head phones on...I did once and it sounded like the plane was about to fall apart LOL.

 

I'm a statistics guy. "Mechanical Failure" is waaaaaaay down on the list as the cause of aviation accidents.

Piston twins have a worse safety record than piston singles. Pilot error is the number one cause of aviation accidents.

 

That is such an awesome plane. We've flown with Austin and love it. What will be your next move? Meridian, TBM, PC12, Epic, or jet?

 

Great stuff! It's great to takeoff and go somewhere. Most private pilots just spend time in their local area, which is fine. But it's the cross countries that really open up a new type of flying, with it's own challenges and rewards.

Smart move to power down in the tailwind, that way you spend more time in it.

Any photos from the flight?

 

Hi Lou,
You're right on, nothing gets you better prepared and in the true spirit of flying by being immersed in it. I try and do a coast to coast flight at least every 3-4 weeks, and that is the best education and learning experience for non pro pilots. Keeps you sharp!
Gary Bobileff

 

PB = Personal Best, maybe????

Did you have land in sight at all times when you did the dogleg south?

 

Rob, that's awesome. I had a similar experience yesterday. Flew over a 1000 sm in 3.5 hrs on my way back from Eagle/Vail. I was burning 16.5 gph and had 29 gallons remaining. I did split up the flight into two legs. I stayed lower in the second leg to not wear O2.

Here's the flightaware: Ascension #268 ? 09-Feb-2014 ? KEGE - KARG ? FlightAware