First Long Cross-Country as a Pilot -- Any tips?

JDK wrote:
Alright, first long cross-country coming up for me as a pilot.
Traveling up to see family for Memorial Day weekend (and hoping the
weather holds out on Friday).

Of note, I did my training in a (slow) C152, but moved up to a fuel-
injected C172 after getting my license.

Any tips to ease the flight? Good tips for fuel consumption savings?
Tips for taming my 2-year old for the flight?

Just plan the flight as normal. A long cross-county is no harder than a
short one. Just keep an eye on the weather.

As for the 2 year-old, mine were always asleep before I reached pattern
altitude. :-)

Matt

"JDK" wrote in message

Alright, first long cross-country coming up for me as a pilot.
Traveling up to see family for Memorial Day weekend (and hoping the
weather holds out on Friday).

Of note, I did my training in a (slow) C152, but moved up to a fuel-
injected C172 after getting my license.

Any tips to ease the flight? Good tips for fuel consumption savings?
Tips for taming my 2-year old for the flight?

If you can not deal with the problems with distractions, like games,
entertainment (DVDs and music) and such, then Dramamine in the correct dose
for the body weight of your child is a perfectly safe and moral way to go.
Not only will the possibility of motion sickness be reduced, but the
tendency of getting sleepy while on the medication will most likely mean the
child will sleep most of the trip away.

Another medication that will cause drowsiness and sleep is benadryl. (the
anti itch and allergy medicine)

My brother always planned travel in the wee hours of the late night and
early morning when his kids were small, so they would naturally sleep the
time away. The funny part is, now that they are grown, he finds he still
prefers that time to travel. g

That is with ground transportation, so you would need to consider your
equipment, experience level and terrain you would be overflying, to decide
if that is an option even worth considering.
--
Jim in NC

In article . com,
JDK wrote:

Of note, I did my training in a (slow) C152, but moved up to a fuel-
injected C172 after getting my license.
Any tips to ease the flight? Good tips for fuel consumption savings?

How many hours do you have in the injected 172?
Go to AvWeb and read John Deakin's Pelican's Perch columns on leaning
for the best information on proper engine operation.

"JDK" wrote in message
ups.com...

Of note, I did my training in a (slow) C152, but moved up to a fuel-
injected C172 after getting my license.

Any tips to ease the flight? Good tips for fuel consumption savings?

Fly high and read up on the best mixture-leaning practice for that
powerplant. As for easing the flight, a handheld GPS is a great secondary
tool for double-checking your progress and calculations. Plus, it gives
your passenger something to play with.

Tips for taming my 2-year old for the flight?

Oh, man. Can't help you there! Too young for "Do you want to get out
and walk?!" to be effective.

-c