I'm planning a trip from Caldwell (KEUL), Idaho to Fullerton (KFUL), California during the week of Christmas (weather permitting). I was wondering if the following route I'm planning would be a good way to go? Any thoughts? There alot of MOA's and Restricted Airspace to navagate, but I think I'll be fine.

If any one in the Boise area needs a ride down to the So. California area that week, I would consider giving you a ride down there with me. Just share the fuel cost. Only issue might be that I'm planning on staying in Fullerton for about 2-4 weeks.


EUL Caldwell Industrial Airport (my home base)

9U3 Austin Airport (stop by to see Joe Dory SR)

A36 Hadley Airport

TPH Tonopah Airport (fuel stop)

0L4 Lida Junction Airport

L61 Shoshone Airport

0O2 Baker Airport

DAG Barstow-Daggett Airport (fuel stop, if need be)

APV Apple Valley Airport (alternate stopping point, my Sister In Law and nephew live in Apple Valley, and my Brother In Law has a house in Adelanto).

FUL Fullerton Municipal Airport (final destination)

Total Distance: 641.1nm

KEUL
KLKV
KRBL
KFUL

773 NM but not much high terrain.

375handh wrote:KEUL
KLKV
KRBL
KFUL

773 NM but not much high terrain.

Looks like a pretty good route. Lots of good places to land and visit. Lots of fuel options, too. I think I would go straight to Placerville from Caldwell. Cut some time off that route and I have a friend that lives near Placerville. Columbia would be a good alternate stop for me, too.

I'd just be worried about the fog in the central valley this time of year. Does it still get foggy during the day through Dec. there?

Does it get foggy in the S.J. valley in December? Only when you get ready to go there (yes)

Hey 58:

My plans for a trip from CA up your direction (I was going to KPDT though) got scrapped last minute right after Thanksgiving because I was fogged in. Right I can see oh, about 1/4 mi out my office window right now (KSMF is calling 1/8 at noon ) Many afternoons we get to MVFR, but it is hard to predict. I live 35 miles from work and it was clear & cold when I left the house this morning.

One nice thing about P'ville is it is almost always above the fog. The bad thing about direct KEUL - KPVF or O22 is that means a lot of high terrain overflight w/o a bunch of options. The route via LKV, RBL covers a lot of primo real estate for a forced/unplanned landing if an emergency were ever to occur. LKV had good fuel prices when I was looking too, relatively speaking.

If you are comfortable dodging restricted areas and MOA's your initial route might be better suited for a December trip.

Good luck

flynengr wrote:Hey 58:

If you are comfortable dodging restricted areas and MOA's your initial route might be better suited for a December trip.

Good luck

Thanks for the replies!

My initial route doesn't have me going through any restricted area's, just MOA's to go through. I feel comfortable going through MOA's and I do plan to call flight service the morning of my flight and get the very latest info along my planned route and keep the info updated as I go along. I plan on using flight following as well.

I should mention that this will be my first long cross country by myself. I just passed my private check ride last Monday and I'm pretty excited to finally make a trip down to southern CA.

congrats on the checkride

B747taildragger wrote:congrats on the checkride

Thank you!! It went along alot easier than I expected. The were a couple heckups at first, but I was able to get them fixed right away. I'll tell you later.

Good on Ya with the license.... We should be around here at Christmas time, we'll buy ya a burger.... If ya let me see yer shiney new ticket... Is Wilber still signing them??

Coyote Ugly wrote:Good on Ya with the license.... We should be around here at Christmas time, we'll buy ya a burger.... If ya let me see yer shiney new ticket... Is Wilber still signing them??

Thank you very much!! I'm planning on leaving Caldwell sometime Christmas week (all depends on weather). I'll keep in touch with ya!! I got your cell # I think.

Dick Miller is the examiner that did my check ride. Very good guy. I even learned a few new things from him.

I rode with Dick Miller on my instrument ride last September, and would hightly recommend him. Just like skylane said, you learn stuff from him, and he's not out to trip you up or make things really difficult, just makes sure you know what you're supposed to. Congrats on the ride!!!