Sling2 Experimental to the Grand Canyon?
Posted by Sling666wz@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Curious if anyone has taken a Sling2 (or similar plane with a Rotax 912iS) through the GC SFRA and Sedona areas.
I’m thinking land Flagstaff (FLG) the morning before when winds are calm, then take off the next morning and fly the corridors for a few hours.
One issue is taking off from FLG with a 7000’ elevation. But it has a 8000’ runway. So even if I can only climb at 250-450fpm there shouldn’t be a problem. Another issue would be high winds at 11,500.
Please share your experience
NecessaryOk979@reddit
Yep. Been all through the southwest and the northern Rockies in a RV12. Other than getting bumped around in the afternoon thermals, no other issues with density altitude or winds.
cowlove72@reddit
If you do decide to go for it:
I took off from FLG with a 10,000' density altitude in a Sportstar LSA with a 912UL loaded to about 1319.9 pounds and flew through the SFRA at whatever the higher prescribed altitudes are. Doable. Do the math for your plane, of course.
Plan your climbs across the mountains surrounding FLG wisely and be comfortable with mountain flying. There's youtube videos about a few crashes trying to fly up those steep valleys, and all of them were experienced pilots.
Definitely do it in the morning. It gets bumpy enough in the afternoon to ruin the experience of seeing the Grand Canyon.
cowlove72@reddit
PS: I'll DM you a picture of my passenger laying motionless on the concrete next to the plane afterwards, exhausted to the point of not being able to move from being airsick. Not fun. Definitely depart at dawn.
Sinorm@reddit
The Sling 2 has plenty of performance so you won't have any issues there. If you don't have experience in those conditions then a flight with a CFI might be a good idea, especially if the winds are high. If you can do the flight in calm winds it should be really easy.
ComprehensiveEar7218@reddit
If you have to ask reddit, then you're not prepared and need a CFI.
mage_tyball@reddit
I've flown Rotax 912-powered (the 80 hp variant) Zlin Savage Cub out of Lee Vining (~6800 MSL, ~3900 feet runway) and Mammoth (~7000 MSL, 7000 feet runway).
Can it be done? Sure. However, in my very humble opinion unless you're a somewhat experienced mountain pilot it cannot be done every day or under all conditions. I am not such a pilot, and I was with an experienced CFI who'd done it before and on a relatively good day.
phliar@reddit
Do you have mountain flying experience? If this will be your first time flying out of high-altitude airports and flying over high inhospitable terrain, you should take along an experienced pilot or instructor.
DatSexyDude@reddit
You’ll be fine. I’ve taken a C162 with 100hp and a rotax powered LSA, both have done fine.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Curious if anyone has taken a Sling2 (or similar plane with a Rotax 912iS) through the GC SFRA and Sedona areas.
I’m thinking land Flagstaff (FLG) the morning before when winds are calm, then take off the next morning and fly the corridors for a few hours.
One issue is taking off from FLG with a 7000’ elevation. But it has a 8000’ runway. So even if I can only climb at 250-450fpm there shouldn’t be a problem. Another issue would be high winds at 11,500.
Please share your experience
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