Nathan Young wrote in
news
On 10 Jun 2004 16:27:12 -0700, (Dave
Jacobowitz) wrote:

I'm thinking of taking myself and three others (littlish people) to
Bishop next weekend in a Cherokee 180.

I've limited mountain flying experience, but have had an intructor
checkout for it and have read a few books on the subject.

My assessment is that the aircraft's service ceiling (13,700, I
believe) and loading (about 200 lb under gross by my first-swag
calculations) will get us over the highest terrain (looks to be less
than 11,500 if I carefuly fly the pass near KMMH) with my personal
minimum of 2000 AGL over mtns.

I won't do the trip if there appears to be significant wind blowing
across the range.

To me, this says this flight is possible. It's not all the margin in
the world, but it's adequate. I'd prefer to be higher, and maybe the
aircraft will get us there, but it seems like it'd be high enough.

I'd like to hear someone else's ideas, though. I'm in the "Killing
Zone," you know. (260 hrs, PP-ASEL, IR)

PS -- plan is to do this flight early am, arrive BIH 9-10.

I cannot speak for the mountain crossing, as I haven't mountain flown
in my 180. But I do fly at and above 10kft regularly, often with
800lbs of useful (approx 200 short of gross).

In the summer if the air is smooth, you can get to 14k, but it will
take a long time. Near 14k, climb rate will be down in the range of
1-200fpm. Any turbulence can bring the climb rate down lower (or
negative) making it take forever to get to 14k.

-Nathan


Carefully work out the density altitude for the expected enroute
temperatures.

I few years ago, I departed San Bernandino around 4 PM. The OAT on the
ground was 125! I went via the Cajon Pass to V137 towards Palmdale. I
could NOT climb over 8,500'. I was solo in an Archer with full tanks.

--
Marty Shapiro
Silicon Rallye Inc.

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