PearlPilot

My first XC trip was down to the beach in NJ. Although the first leg was a bit challenging with radio communications etc. I had a blast on the way back as my instructor let me rely on the 430. Anyway, I have much more XC trips to look forward to especially since I might be doing the 61 thing for the IR. What considerations do you make when choosing a destination? My instructor said, it's up to me to decide where I want to go, but I have really no idea how to chose a place. He said we could do repeats if I want, but I feel like I should explore more, instead of just meeting the requirements. Any XC planning trips, destination choosing tips, and ways to have fun are very much appreciated. Thanks!!

shdw

At your stage I would pick places based on the track over the ground. What I mean by this is choose places that will take you over prominent landmarks so you can get some good practice with pilotage. Once you feel comfortable with that then look for interesting airports and areas with less prominent airports (mainly to the west in the NJ area). In NJ there are many places you can go to send you through all kinds of airspace as well so I would recommend practice with that as well. One great place to go to is Danbury and it is an awesome airport especially landing runway 35.

I realize this isn't what your asking for, but to help with pilotage I tell all my students to lightly draw a line on the sectional and then photo copy that line. Then I have them use the photo copies to mark up and make comments on through the flight using a fine point red marker or pen. When they finish they put them in their notebook and can use it to study landmarks around the area. I have even had some students bring a camera to take pictures of the points to study. If you have to do a bunch of these flights it might be worth it to just have your CFI fly one day and you do all the navigation, it will give you a whole new perspective on the power of good pilotage!

USMCFLYR

Go to the Flying W airport. It has a nice restaurant/bar and if you go this summer you should take a swimsuit and enjoy the pool for awhile!

USMCFLYR

PearlPilot

Thanks, for a second there I thought you were joking USMC! Sounds like a fun place to visit... I am actually flying out of PA, so there are of course some nice scenery around here.

propjunkie

Where you flying from? I know plenty of cool places but ill need to know what area to tell you about. Plus if your doing it for your Instrument forget about pilotage and fly all IFR FP and victors. Nothing prepares you for instrument more than 50 hours of IFR X-C's

PearlPilot

i fly out of Reigle Airport in Palmyra 58N. And I am doing it for my PPL.