After getting serious about “My 50 State Quest”, I have come to realize how much planning is involved. The first 25 states just sort of happened as a byproduct of Work, Angel Flights, and General Joyrides. However, the next 25 states will require much more active planning.
So here we are, near the end of September, and I am hoping to make it to a few new states in October. In general, I am thinking about the following options:
Option 1 (Northeast) – If I head to the northeast, I might be able to finish a bunch of smaller states and do it before winter arrives. Since I don’t have any burning desire to fly to cold places in the winter. this might be a good idea in October. In addition, this would give me a good excuse to visit some relatives in Raleigh along the way.
Here is the general route I am considering:
The total distance would be ~ 2200 nm and probably 5 new states.
Option 2 (Colorado) – One of the other destinations I have been looking forward to flying to, is Colorado. The Eagle/Vail airport, where my family and I go every year to ski, is a must visit. Then of course every pilot knows about Leadville, which is the highest airport in the country. Lastly, Colorado Springs, which is close to the Air Force Academy/museum is also a popular pilot destination.
The general route is shown below:
The total distance would be ~ 2800 nm and likely 3 new states.
So next step, later tonight if I can stay awake (or more likely l8r in the week) is to start looking for fly-ins, or cool places to land/visit somewhere close to my intended route. If anyone has suggestions, feel free to leave a comment or email me.
Cheers,
== T.J.==
== T.J.==
Weather was CAVU after getting above the cloud deck… (But quite bumpy below that)
I expected the midwest to have lots of farmland… But didn’t expect all the windmills… Who knew how green
The mighty Mississippi River really didn’t look that grand in Iowa. (Way cooler in Louisiana)
Burlington, IA was an awesome find… Great little airport, multiple instrument approaches and
Beleive it or not, Burlington is a commercial airport. The airport terminal was incredibly small! … Notice the baggage claim area that serves all 4 commercial
Onward to the next stop (next state) Hannibal, Missouri (STATE # 25!!!)
On the way to Hannibal, Mo, a really cool bridge crossing the Mississippi.
No matter state you land in, always some cool planes to see… This was the towplane used by the
OK enough detours… Really, really time to go home now… Cruising @ 17500 FT… With oxygen and a really nice tailwind! Almost Home!!!
Here is really cool airport just northeast of Atlanta (KMLJ), which looked very cool from the air…
After Atlanta, time to cross to some small mountains (ok maybe hills)… But scenic either way!
Weather forecast was not very cooperative. (But still safely within my comfort zone.)
Despite being in the middle of the afternoon, I was in such solid IMC, that it felt like night flying!
Some cool airport (don’t remember which one) Looked like a runway inside a stop sign to me…
Getting close to Chicago (could barely see it through the haze)
The Crystal River Nuclear Power plant… (Rather cool site in an otherwise empty part of the state)
Aerial view of the Crystal River airport. (Did lots of landing practice there as a student pilot years ago)
Found a gr8 parking spot @ MEI next to some military trainers. (Notice the Navy and Marines use the same training fleet)
Capt Taylor graciously allowed me to climb Up to the cockpit of his bird.