Headed to Vegas tomorrow for a few days, just wondering if anybody has any insight about the route, and also any nearby flying attractions once there. I'll be parking at North Las Vegas airport, they ding ya for $15 bucks a night but waive a night if you buy 20 gals of gas. Thanks for any ideas!

Here's the routing I picked out, seems like the shortest way with all the restricted areas in the "R-2508 complex". Anybody have any troubles with this routing or other suggestions perhaps? I didn't even notice this transition route the first time I did this trip, combination of not enough planning and an outdated gps...ended up flying around it to the south of Edwards AFB.


Same route zoomed out a bit for reference...



I might check out some areas east of town if I get a chance, noticed this "Cortez VFR transition route" on the foreflight map, but it references the "side panel" of the chart and can't find any other details of the route in foreflight, and don't have an actual sectional for that area. Looks like this is only an "inbound route" ?? I guess I could ask for an east departure and see what they give me, but I'd rather not fly all the way around the south end of town if they're gonna keep me out of class B. Of course there is always the Hoover dam and Grand Canyon to fly over, but I'm still researching those areas with all their special flight rules. Would rather save those for another time and just check out any backcountry type places this time...if I even get a chance to do that.


Found this strip on the chart, and actually saw it on a commercial flight not too long ago. Anybody have some insight on this strip? Looked pretty desolate, but maybe some hiking trails to a vista point or better??

If you are going to be around Vegas for a few days - run down to AZ50 and talk to Bruce Barton . Go to L25 = Meadview on end of canyon. Overflying Grand Canyon is cool - Get A Grand Canyon Chart and you can cruise . Fly up to Grand Gulch mine ( on las Vegas sectional marked with "U" ) due north of L25 about 25miles. Mesquite has cheapest 100LL - at 5.15 a gallon.

Contact Joshua Approach west of Inyokern. The restricted areas are not always hot. You may be able to go direct.

Check the altitude of the Mt. Charleston ridge you will be crossing to make sure you will clear the Class B. Las Vegas Approach is not always accommodating for VFR traffic.

Mike

I departed North Las Vegas about three months ago ferrying a Supercub east to D.C. Approach gave me direct out to the east northeast, straight up to 9000ft and directly over Nellis on the outbound. Easy Peezy, doesn't hurt to try.

Thanks guys, all good info! I hope to depart tomorrow AM about 9. Looks like good wx forecasts with light winds aloft.

The R-2506 only goes up to 6k msl so you could cut a little off your route there. Also, if you contact Joshua and ask for "overflight of the 2505" you've got a 50/50 chance of getting approved to do so but it will be at or above 10k msl.

The point where the course line on your chart turns from pink to blue, near the little non-existent town of "Garlock", has an airstrip that may look inviting but you will not be welcome.

Cheap avgas at California City just south of your route. If you move the pink line a little further south, to bring you through Tehachapi Pass, you will be over safer territory and have infrastructure under you in the event of a problem or bathroom break. Cheap avgas at Tehachapi Municipal as well.

You will be flying around fairly tall ridges, and (forecasts be damned) there is a pretty fair chance there will be strong wind gusts in places, mountain wave turbulence, and eddy currents. Be careful and observe the green arc on your airspeedometer. In strong winter winds I have personally seen rates of climb and descent more than 5000 ft/min, with sharp edges on both sides, in that vicinity.

It will be very cold, and you may get ice at those altitudes. The part of your flight east of L72 Trona will be very desolate, IMHO not the kind of place where you want to be camping overnight in the winter.

182STOL Driver and I have a good friend at AZ50 as he mentioned, really interesting little airport, good people, lots of help if you need it.

Grand Gulch Mine is a must if you are in the area. Be sure to take your camera, as you will be surprised at what is still there.

The RAF has done a couple of work weekends on the strip, and it should be in good shape.

Enjoy & fly safe.

Bart, you're likely already on the way but just to add my two cents the Trona Corridor has been around for years. Talk to Joshua, the area between the restricted areas can also be busy with Navy and AF jets transitioning between the various areas. As EZflap said the area east of Trona is desolate, no ATC comms down low and probably today and tomorrow their won't be anybody from the AF or Navy flying around either. Not that they would be monitoring 121.5 anyway. You will just about have to clear Charleston Mt. before you can talk to Vegas Approach. I suggest going north of Charleston and down the highway to North Vegas, that makes for a nice easy letdown and approach can talk to you a bit farther out.

Bruce Barton would like some company at AZ50 watch out on North side for .50 cal blast ing . There's a MA Duc 50cal firing less than 300 yards north east to west. Flying the Grand Canyon is my favorite thing - from L25 go I east approx 90 miles and you'll see some fabous sights. Stay 9500 east bound until GCN area - 8500 or above westbound . Grand Gulch is great watch for snakes all over area. Windsock for Grand Gulch { and L25 } is at intersection of 2 runways. Bar 10 is open on north rim. Grand Canyon west is where the " skywalk " is - about 100 bucks a head .

Thanks guys just landed and waiting for my ride. The flight over was super smooth save for just a bit of turb over the tallest mounts.

Flew to paso Robles first for some cheaper gas, saved $1 per gallon over king city, only $5.15 at paso...I guess I will say that's RELATIVELY GOOD!!

Climbed up to 9.5K initially then up to 11.5K Joshua let me transition through R-2505 at or above 6,000, I just stayed at 11.5 til the descent into VGT.

You guys are right about "desolate" east of Trona!!! Lots of places to put down, but the camp out wouldn't be fun

Was pretty smooth over the big rocks west of town, so an easy let down. If it was summertime, I wouldn't even try that route though.

I'll see if I can get out and explore a bit before we head out!

$4.87 for gas at KTSP? Wow

Oops 1 s in gas 2 s's in ass