So I'm gonna be Lazy and before I even look at the map, I'll throw it out there. I've got a job in South Lake Tahoe in a few weeks. Toying with taking the Rebel, wondering what advice you guys have. Whats the best options for gas and food on the way? Is the Lake Tahoe Airport my only option? Will I run into Steve Fosset and what should I tell him? I may even want to camp somewhere on the way if there's a cool relatively easy strip half way in a cool spot.

Also what are the local winds like in late April, is Lake Tahoe Airport particularly x-windy that time of year.

Thanks for any advice.

-Brad

Lake Tahoe airport is right on the lake, and close to South Lake attractions like casinos and large hotels and more of the touristy stuff.

Truckee(KTRK) airport is on the north shore, a few miles removed from the lake, but is in a neater area in my opinion. There is a public shuttle that you can ride for a few bucks.

Both airports are at pretty high elevation ~6000 MSL, so be mindful of that if the days are warm. If you're operating out of Durango, you're probably already well acquainted with high density altitude. TRK has a pretty big valley with a lot of room to climb out in. It's the Sierra, so the winds are anybody's guess. They can kick your ass pretty bad though in that terrain.

I'm not sure what a Rebel is, but the SLT airport is plenty wide and long. It also accounts for a large number of small plane accidents, due mostly to the often fantastic density altitudes and the steeply rising terrain on three sides of the field.

Like Zane said, winds are anybody's guess in the Sierra's. Afternoon thunderstorms are a definite possibility...I'd just count on them and plan my arrival/departure accordingly.

That is a very important point regarding Tahoe about the elevation, density altitude, and tight airspace. You really need to take care if you choose Tahoe sometimes the only window is early morning or late afternoon. There have been some poor choices made that had disastrous results. One of the nice things is I-80 goes straight to Truckee. If Fossett had followed the road it may have increased his chances of survival. My first trip anywhere I always take the conservative approach. Get to know the area, the less varibles the better. Have a safe flight.

Why would you want to go to Truckee if you have Job in South Lake Tahoe? Probably take over an hour to drive to s. lk Tahoe from Truckee. hey John,,,,, help this boy out.

Hammer wrote:I'm not sure what a Rebel is.

Gonna' assume a Murphy Rebel as it is one of the more well known homebuilts and a very capable backcountry aircraft.

I'm also gonna' assume Hammer meant TVL not SLT.

Like Iceman said, you'll likely want to head for TVL if your working near South Shore and as it is a mountain airport you'll want to complete your mountain operations before noon to be safe.

Flyin' around the Sierra's you'll want to get a good winds aloft forecast and monitor flight watch for pireps. You don't want to be poking around the Sierra's if we get a mountain wave kickin. In all fairness we usually get them later into summer than spring but don't let your guard down.

You might be interested in a side trip or overnight at Alpine (M45). Good place to camp and it's only about 15 miles from TVL.

First of all, by a rebel I mean a Murphy Rebel, which I find to be capable little taildragger. Its got an 0-320 and its pretty light weight, so it gets me around our little hills here in Colorado. I've known nothing else so for now it does me fine.

Thanks for the info on the airport and the conditions. Sounds like many of the same rules we deal with 'round here (Durango).

The trip looks to me to be a 700 mile ordeal which would be my biggest trip yet. If I take off at sunrise and the winds are ok I'll make it by noon, but I may make it into 2 day affair. That would put me stopping somewhere in Southern Utah, maybe camping.

Keep any more advice coming especially cool camping options on the way.

Thanks Guys

iceman wrote:Why would you want to go to Truckee if you have Job in South Lake Tahoe? Probably take over an hour to drive to s. lk Tahoe from Truckee. hey John,,,,, help this boy out.

I subconsciously omitted the part about the job.

My friend had a rebel at TVL for a few years and it worked fine. The winds in the Carson Valley can blow pretty good in the afternoons so getting in earlier in the day might be a good call. East of Minden the glider activity is fairly heavy so I usually avoid that area. Airnav.com should answer most of your questions. Enjoy.

I am based in Truckee,,,,it all depends on the day you fly around here. Being from Colorado you probably know about flying around in the afternoon.South lake has a runway that is about a million feet long right on the lake.If the weather is suspect at South lake there are all kinds of choices in the Carson Valley to stop at with runways in all directions.In the pm it can get a little squirrly, but so can everywhere else around the Mtns.If you would like I can Private message you my Cell and you can call for a real time eye on what's going on up here the day you plan to arrive.I flew from Pagosa to Tahoe last year in the 207. What an awesome flight!Lots to look at, that is for sure. Enjoy the ride!If you arrive into South lake early in the AM you are almost(ALMOST)always going to get a nice smooth ride in.

Rebel:

Take a look at Minden (MEV), just east of south Tahoe. Lower elevation and less of an issue with wind. Fly in the mornings until you get the hang of the mountains.

That Rebel will do just fine out here.

It sounds like your pretty concerned about cross winds

Out here there is always cross winds might be for 5 min might be all day.

Are you looking for a place to base out of, or travel to and from?

If your just wanting to get in and out almost every morning is very calm and cool this time of year.

The afternoon can be a crap shoot winds tend to kick up quickly.

The other day the Scout was showing 166 knots and it wernt a smooth trip coming back from OZ

Stop at Mina on your way over, camp, Bar, Brothel and the best milk shakes in town. Plenty of time to climb