One of the things on my bucket list is to do a x-country where I hit all lower 48 states (and possibly Alaska). Its been something I've been thinking about since I read Flight of Passage and took my first flying lesson over 10 years ago. I have decided that if I don't put an action plan together its never going to just spontaneously happen. My first step is to start thinking about best time of the year, and how much vacation I'm going to need to save up. I don't want to just speed through it as fast as I can, I want to spend some time at these airports as I travel through, I want to soak in some of the history, I really enjoy going into these small airports and looking at the pictures, reading the newspaper clips, or bio's pinned to the wall that tell the history of the airport and some of the old pilots that flew there, its the history of these places that I enjoy. At the same time I have a family and work, so I have a time budget.

As for the time, I was thinking at a minimum, 1 month. I figure this gives me time to wander around the airports as well any historic or interesting off airport locations (not at every airport). Also it gives me time to wait out any storms if needed.

As for when? Spring or Summer of 2015 is what I'm shooting for. If I go in the Spring I can hit Sun & Fun, if I go in the summer I can hit Oshkosh. Anyone have any feedback on time of year that would be best for something like this. I realize I'll be traversing many different weather zones, so there will be a mix of all kinds of weather to deal with.

Anywho, as I said, just beginning the planning phase.

53 'states' in Europe, although some may prove difficult to visit in a light aircraft, eg The Vatican.

I'm thinking 30 days is a bit short - I'd be more comfortable with about 30 months. So much fun to be had...so little time...

Any family going with? Wish you a wonderful trip, it'll be lots of fun in the planning too!

marcusofcotton wrote:Any family going with? Wish you a wonderful trip, it'll be lots of fun in the planning too!

No family going, its going to be a solo trip. Just me, a plane, and blue skies (Hopefully).

While landing in all 48 states is doable in a month, I think you will be rather rushed.

Have you thought of doing sections of the country in that time frame in order to better accomplish your goal of absorbing the local culture along the way?

Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast.

If you choose the above 'quarter plan', I am sure the pilots familiar with those regions will be more than happy to recommend some of the better places to stop.

MAU MAU wrote:While landing in all 48 states is doable in a month, I think you will be rather rushed.

Have you thought of doing sections of the country in that time frame in order to better accomplish your goal of absorbing the local culture along the way?

Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast.

If you choose the above 'quarter plan', I am sure the pilots familiar with those regions will be more than happy to recommend some of the better places to stop.

Mau Mau..... That's my plan someday.

Great topic. I have a plan to do the same someday. For what I want to see and who I want to visit. There's no way 30 days is long enough.

I have even thought about doing 2-3 week segments. Then park the plane at an airport for a few weeks or a month or two and come back and do another 2-3 weeks of flying and so forth. My new job will allow me to take up to one month of work. So this may work out after about 5 years for me. So I may start to plan my own 48 state tour in the next few years.

I assume you've probably already read The Cannibal Queen by Stephen Coonts (of Flight of the Intruder fame). If you haven't, you should. It's his tale of flying all 48 in a Stearman, and a book I really enjoyed.

Did the OP mention the type of aircraft? My own spin on a trip like this would include crashing on hangar floors, airport couches and camping in the grass as much as possible. I'd favor early summer, to try to time it between gusty spring winds in the northern prairie states and mid summer wildfire smoke in the west. Also to hit warmer camping weather and a better chance of finding the occasional empty hangar to borrow for oil changes, etc since more planes are likely to be moved outdoors then.

denalipilot wrote:Did the OP mention the type of aircraft? My own spin on a trip like this would include crashing on hangar floors, airport couches and camping in the grass as much as possible. I'd favor early summer, to try to time it between gusty spring winds in the northern prairie states and mid summer wildfire smoke in the west. Also to hit warmer camping weather and a better chance of finding the occasional empty hangar to borrow for oil changes, etc since more planes are likely to be moved outdoors then.

Good luck waiting for calm or even light winds in Wyoming! LOL. Just plan on a rough ride and landings through WY!

Corefile, I can't encourage you enough to do your flight, it will be a game changer for you, you will meet people and see things that you will never forget. I did something like what you are planning, though in a different type aircraft, and I can't wait to do it this year in my almost completed Zenith 750.

I flew from California to the east coast, back and forth four times, once going north into Wyoming, once across Colorado via Leadville, and twice south, once thru Albuquerque and the other thru el Paso. All small non towered airports, mostly little rural towns with the greatest people. It wasn't uncommon to be asked to join someone at home or out for dinner, and I always had an airport car that they had left the keys in for me to use. (I always called ahead to make sure it was available at my last stop)

On three of my trips I included Oshkosh, and the forth Sun 'n Fun, so it was during July, and April. I think you're on the right track to plan around Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun, that's good flying weather for both areas.

On all of my trips I made it a point to hit the east coast after Oshkosh, and vary my return trip route. My intention was not to hit all of the states like you, but each trip I landed at about 75 airports, put in about 125 hours, and about 7,000 miles. I would be gone from 5-8 weeks, but keep in mind I'm in an aircraft that cruises at 50-55 mph, and I'm also at Oshkosh for a week. You can cut that time in half, but I would not sacrifice airports stopped at for ground covered. I remember all of the airports I stopped at, but only half of the ground that I covered.

I envy you as you start planning, and you will not be disappointed.

The youtube video below is just a small clip for just one trip, but hopefully you can get a feel of what's out there for you.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5EpKHcYvuQ[/youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5EpKHcYvuQ

Thanks guys for all the comments. Now I'm thinking 30 days for all 48 will just not cut it, and I will have to break it up into segments (as I said, I'm in just the beginning phase, plotting it all out will be the real kicker). However; I like the idea of it being a complete coast to coast trip. So maybe the way to go is to do a northern route, where I hit about half the 48, including Oshkosh, and then the next year do a southern route and hit Sun & Fun and the remaining to complete all 48.

@RanchPilot; Yes I have read The Cannibal Queen, its another great one, I think I read it right after I finished Flight of Passage. Both of those really got me hooked on the idea.

@denalipilot; I'm in the market for a plane, need to cut the rental cord. I'm leaning towards a C-170 180hp conversion if I can find one in my budget. And yes, sleeping in a tent next to the plane, on a couch at a freindly FBO or even a hanger floor are all options (and honestly part of the lore of what is going to be one hell of a trip, dare I say life changing in some ways)

@Zenithguy; Sounds like you know a little bit about what I'm looking to accomplish, your trips sound epic, especially looking at that youtube video, ultra light, wow!

To-Do List (only my humble opinion, of course):

1. Post ads on Barnstormers, forums, etc looking for a partner who owns a plane who also wants to make this trip.

2. Draw straws on who gets to be the "face" of the trip while the other films. Nothing fancy (Swingle Style).

3. Optional - Launch a kickstarter/Indie Go-Go campaign to help fund the trip/film.

4. End the trip at OSH 2015 ('16, '17, whatever) where you sell DVDs of the epic trip and share stories. Do all this in a homebuilt and I bet you get a speaking gig at AirVenture.

Now this may come across as douchy commercialization, which it is if you are more interested in the money and speaking gigs than the flying. It's already clear that you are very passionate about flying and finding something larger in all of this. I think a lot of folks share that same dream and would be willing to pay to hear your story. That's why I went with the documentary idea.

Good luck, and let us know when the DVD comes out.

Check this out.

http://rangerairfield.org/usa/

You might be able to pull it off in thirty days, but you'll be rushed for sure.

Maybe split it into two trips, taking advantage of weather.......north in summer, south in winter?

Or, just start, and do three or four states at a time.....and really enjoy the journey.

In any case, it sounds like a great project.....be sure to keep a journal and take photos.

MTV

wtxdragger wrote:Check this out.

http://rangerairfield.org/usa/

Very cool, nice camera work as well.