Flight from Eastern US to WA

[FlyingToIST]

I may purchase a Tomahawk in next few weeks and I will need to ferry it from Mid Atlantic region to Seattle Area.
What would be the best route to take in mid-April for this?
Looks like terrain will not be a problem up until Billings, MT. This also looks like to be the shortest route.. The problem is between BIL and GEG (Spokane, WA). It's a short strech but lots of high mountains.

Someone suggested that I should take the "Southern Route" to CA and then up the coast.

I would like to get insight from people who have done this.. Thanks..

 

[Ted Striker]

I took a Seminole from Houston to Seattle. Going, we went the Billings-Spokane route. If you do this, I would recommend that it be VFR. Yes, it is short, but would be a bad place to go down. When we came back, we went the southern route and it was really pretty and a little less hairy. The Billings route, if I remember right, put us just at the MEA. I would think if it was VFR, it would be ok. A lot of it depends on your level of flying and comfort zone. It should be a neat trip regardless! Have fun.

 

[sky37d]

the southern route is called, i believe, rt 66, goes through abq. I'm told it can be done vfr, and if it has to be ifr, mea is 11K

 

[DC-3TP]

VFR BIL to GEG to SEA

I fly VFR all the time in and around all those places during the fire season. 8500 and 10500 should work well for that trip. You will have to go around some of the mtn. peaks but should not take you way out of your way. I think the wind at altitude will be a problem and the general weather can be nasty sometimes in mid April. Just don't be in a hurry. I think you will have a great flight, lots to see. BIL to DRU to MSO to MLP to GEG to EPH to SEA will keep you clear of the big stuff.

 

[de727ups]

I live in Spokane. My advice would be to follow the freeway through. It's not the most direct but at least you have a populated area under you all the time.

I bought a 152 aerobat out of S Carolina last April and talked a low time kid into bringing it up for me. Had him go the southern route, like you are thinking. It worked okay but he got delayed by wx in Georgia, Texas, and then had to sneak through following the freeway through the Blues between Ontario and Walla Walla....after hearing the story I think he probably should have turned around and gone back to Boise but, can you imagine the case of get there'itis a guy would have after getting that close...

So...in the end....I'd say it's more direct to head for BIL and follow the freeway and take your chances. If you get weathered in the Rockies, turn back and just wait it out wherever you end up...don't push it.

Stop at Felts Field in Spokane and eat the airport cafe....one of the best places to eat in all of Spokane, I think.

I can give you some specific things to look for between GEG and BFI if the weather is on it's ass....

PM me if you want to go there.

 

[HAL]

I have done this a couple times, and if you're in a low powered plane (i.e. Traumahawk), my suggestion is to take the lowest altitude route, which means crossing the contental divide in Wyoming at South Pass:

Cross Wyoming just south of Casper and Lander, cross the divide at South Pass City. Then south of the Salt River range south of Afton WY. Once you get to Pocatello ID, follow I-84 all the way into Oregon and through the Columbia gorge, finally past Portland and up to SEA.

Good luck and have fun!

HAL