P2010 Tx to Cali Central Valley

[wwest]

Good evening Tecnam Talk,
First of all its great to find a tecnam community. I bought my 2021 P2010 in April from Mark at Delta aviation. Love the plane so far, flies great and I get complements at every ramp I park at. I am looking for some advise. I have a trip planned for early august to Fresno California and am trying to decide if I want to fly myself or just go commercial. The route would be KAMA-KAEG-KIFP-KBFL-KFAT. I picked my plane up in Vegas and brought it back to KAMA in late April so I am (somewhat) familiar with the route, but that was in April not August. I have about 150 hours total time and about 40 in my 2010. I also have an instructor that is willing to go along with me on this trip. So my question is given the probability of high density altitudes across NM and AZ is the trip a risk? Right now I am leaning toward taking the commercial route but thought I would seek the advice of the Tecnam community. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance. 

[cole505]

Hi Wwest,

Welcome to our forum! Sounds like you have a beautiful new Bird! ( Pictures Please 😊 ) I have lived in the desert SW since las Vegas1986. Your right on! being concerned about the High DA. Its a major gamer changer especially this time of year July & August. There have been many good pilots not do well flying in the South Western States.

These are my thoughts on what you have just stated, First I want to say your a wise man for examining your limitations as well as your Airplanes limitations, Second since you are somewhat experienced in this area NM, AZ, NV, ( Remember this is just another Pilots opinion) If you got up O dark thirty and “Old Air Force “ term we used” really early! 😊and took your time, it’s possible to make this flight safely especially with your instructor, fly two O dark thirty days take off at 0530 fly your max fuel load land. And do the same thing on day two, that should get you past the really hot states you mentioned. If needed do day three the same way. I hope this helps you decide which one to do? Commercial or Private. I think it would be an amazing accomplishment if you do go the private way, but always listen to that little voice we all have “If in doubt Don’t”

I have been flying the Desert South West a long time, And never take any high Temps or DA LIGHTLY…….. I don’t like the heat and my airplane really does not like it……. This is how I have flown here for a-lot of good years I hope to have many more✅😊⭐️

Let me know your thoughts and look forward to hearing how your trip go’s on which ever way you decide to make this trip. If your trip brings you to the Las Vegas area it would be nice to meet with you😊

Ray & Lucy 😎🇺🇸😊😊⭐️🇺🇸🇺🇸

[fpkone]

#1 leave early and be done for the day noon to early afternoon! Fly high too, 8500-10,500.

In February I flew from Sebring Florida to Southern California in my brand new P2010 that I picked up from the factory in Sebring.

Just two weeks ago I flew from Southern California along the southern border and then up to Kansas City Missouri. Because of a late start I spent the first night in Tucson and a second night in Tulsa. A few days later I flew back on the return flight and did it in one night, spent in El Paso. Both on my way there and on my way back I had to avoid weather. I flew VFR only. The G1000 weather overlay worked well.

So I would recommend that you head south to El Paso and follow the 10 to Tucson, and then up to Phoenix area, and then over to Palm Springs, and then to Burbank, and then to Gorman VOR, and then into the Central Valley direct to Fresno.

I would think you could do it in two nights, comfortably, first night in El Paso and second night in Palm Springs.

A midday to late afternoon approach into Fresno will come with a little bit of turbulence though...

[wwest]

Jul 15, 2022 4:33:11 GMT fpkone said:

#1 leave early and be done for the day noon to early afternoon! Fly high too, 8500-10,500.

In February I flew from Sebring Florida to Southern California in my brand new P2010 that I picked up from the factory in Sebring.

Just two weeks ago I flew from Southern California along the southern border and then up to Kansas City Missouri. Because of a late start I spent the first night in Tucson and a second night in Tulsa. A few days later I flew back on the return flight and did it in one night, spent in El Paso. Both on my way there and on my way back I had to avoid weather. I flew VFR only. The G1000 weather overlay worked well.

So I would recommend that you head south to El Paso and follow the 10 to Tucson, and then up to Phoenix area, and then over to Palm Springs, and then to Burbank, and then to Gorman VOR, and then into the Central Valley direct to Fresno.

I would think you could do it in two nights, comfortably, first night in El Paso and second night in Palm Springs.

A midday to late afternoon approach into Fresno will come with a little bit of turbulence though...

Thank you for the reply. It’s great to be able to talk with someone who has flown that route in a P2010. My plan right now would be to take that exact route. Fly to El Paso day one then try to be wheels up at 6am, fuel stop in Tucson, over Phoenix then on to Palm Springs. Would decide at Palm Springs if I want to go on that day or stay overnight. May end up meeting my people in Bakersfield so that will shorten it up a little bit. Then same route coming home. Pic attached of how I planned it out yesterday. 


Thanks again for the reply and advice. 

Attachments:

[fpkone]

Looks good pay close attention to density altitude and proper mixture at ELP. During runup leaning to 1200-1250 EGT should leave you in good shape for take off. Monitor EGT at climb out and adjust to keep it below 1375.

[fpkone]

By the way, what is your tail number? I set up flightradar alerts on Tecnam P2010s...

[Flocker]

Jul 15, 2022 0:54:10 GMT wwest said:

Good evening Tecnam Talk,
First of all its great to find a tecnam community. I bought my 2021 P2010 in April from Mark at Delta aviation. Love the plane so far, flies great and I get complements at every ramp I park at. I am looking for some advise. I have a trip planned for early august to Fresno California and am trying to decide if I want to fly myself or just go commercial. The route would be KAMA-KAEG-KIFP-KBFL-KFAT. I picked my plane up in Vegas and brought it back to KAMA in late April so I am (somewhat) familiar with the route, but that was in April not August. I have about 150 hours total time and about 40 in my 2010. I also have an instructor that is willing to go along with me on this trip. So my question is given the probability of high density altitudes across NM and AZ is the trip a risk? Right now I am leaning toward taking the commercial route but thought I would seek the advice of the Tecnam community. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance. 

If your CFI is willing to tag along - why not?  Other than weather, I don't see any reason why you could not make this trip.