SF Bay Area ---> Death Valley

"Jonathan Sorger" wrote in message
...
I plan on taking my first trip from the Bay Area to Death Valley (
Furnace Creek) next week. I was wondering if I could pick the brains of
those familiar with the area.

It looks like Porterville - Kern Valley - China Lake is the safest route
to take. I have had a mountain checkout and am not thrilled about
staying below 1500' AGL to keep out of the MOAs in the Sierra Nevada
range.

I realize that you contact Joshua Approach for the MOA status - can
anyone clue me in to whether or not they typically allow civilian
aircraft through at other altitudes during their operational hours?

Hi Jonathan,

For starters, take a look at the north side of the Los Angeles
sectional. Just to the left of R-2505 and well inside the military complex
R-2508 and deeply imbedded in the MOA's is Inyokern airport, IYK. That's my
home patch. I just thought I'd start out with that so you'd get an idea I
"might" know what I'm talking about.
People make TOO BIG a fuss over the MOAs, and restricted areas. I've
learned to live in them.
I started flying from IYK in 1973. During the intervening 32 years we
have not had a single fatal encounter, in fact I don't even remember any
close calls between military aircraft and general aviation. That in spite of
the periodic cruise missile flights that boogey through the valley int the
vicinity of Rosamond, Mojave, and IYK at 500 ft AGL to drop their payloads
at China Lake. Only twice in that time have I had an advisory from Joshua
Approach of military aircraft in the vicinity and they were 20+ miles away,
albeit below my cruising altitude. The huge majority of military flights are
above 30,000 feet in the military complex
My route from IYK to the San Joaquin Valley is either over Tehachapi in
the 150 or Lake Isabella in the 172. If you plan on flying over on a
weekend, flex-Friday, or holiday, Joshua will clear you "at or above 5,000
feet MSL" unless there is the rare weekend exercise happening. Those occur
about twice a year.
During the week, you may have to weave through the "Trona Corridor"
after crossing R-2506 at or above 6,000 feet. On the other hand, your
chances of getting Joshua to clear you direct through R-2504 are not all
that bad. But you gotta ask!! Don't be shy.
I'm not complacent about flying through the MOAs. I know what they are
for. I used to work at China Lake. But I'm also familiar enough with the
process that I'd rather fly through an MOA any day over flying across the LA
Basin.
Gas at IYK is cheaper than Stovepipe or Furnace Creek by the way. If you
decide to drop in there, let me know. I'll meet you at the airport.