Can a VFR PPL use a plane as transportation in Alberta?

[shitdisturber]

So, what... stay in the circuit? That route is still within civilization and with even the slightest amount of preplanning shouldn't be described as difficult. There has to be at least 10 airports almost directly enroute and at that, for the most part is farmland. And yes there is the weather and there are swamps, rivers, bush and engine failure possibilities but for the most part, that is describing aviation in Canada. It's only 400 miles or so. He could select a different airport near the midway point every time and doing so making sure that he does not run into fuel problems his last 50 or 100 miles or options.

What he said! I don't even want to guess how many times I've flown that route over the years and I see nothing wrong with the idea. As long as you check weather and don't push limits it's perfectly reasonable. The vast majority of time the decision is going to be quite easy; Alberta's weather is generally either really good, or really bad. Go flying during the former, go by West Jet during the latter.

[Beefitarian]

I did not say you can't fly 160 miles in a 172 with nothing but trees and a highway that's basically dangerous to drive on let alone land if you have an engine failure. But feel free to continue to respond as if I did.

[shitdisturber]

I did not say you can't fly 160 miles in a 172 with nothing but trees and a highway that's basically dangerous to drive on let alone land if you have an engine failure. But feel free to continue to respond as if I did.

You can spend your whole life playing the "what if" game ; in which case you'll never leave the circuit. While it is prudent to be on the lookout for a field to land in on any cross country in a single you shouldn't shy away from a route based on a "highway of death" either. As for engine failures, I've spent better than 5000 hours flying piston pounders and have had exactly one engine quit on me. That was in a 172 during my flight instructor days in the middle of a stall; the idle on the carb was set too low, we lowered the nose and restarted the engine no fuss no muss. The risks of that route in a properly maintained aircraft are considerably lower than they would be to drive it.

[northern33]

Another thing to consider is where you plan to hangar or tie down your plane. YMM isn't really GA friendly; it's pretty tough to find a spot to leave your plane.

If that doesn't concern you, I have a great 206 outfitted really nicely!

[Lost Lake]

Sometimes I don't understand all the sage advise of people like 200 hr wonder. Oh you lowly private pilot. Just because you've been trained to fly, land, navigate, and manage your cockpit doesn't mean you can fly non stop for 4 hours. Start slow, keep flying circuits, don't lose the smoke staff, maybe fly 50 miles out and then come back. When you've reached a couple thousand hours, maybe you'll be ready to land at a new airport.

As soon as I got my license, the last thing I wanted to do was another circuit over my home field. I took off and flew, saw other parts of the country and learned. I tried a really unique approach to flying. If the weather was crappy or projected to be, I didn't fly. I new where I was at all times. I continuously used the "what if" and "where's my exit" approach to flying. I monitored my instruments. I new my plane. I know this may be radical thinking to some people, but it still works for me today.

Get an airplane and fly. You will soon learn your limits, but don't let experts" tell you you can't. Just because they were poor pilots when they started doesn't mean you are.

[kevinsky18]

As a CPL and aircraft owner for close to 20 years I often think about flying my plane back and forth to work. And each time I give my head a shake, park the plane and either fly commercially or make the drive. I've learned over the years that it's a complete illusion to think owning a plane means you're going to get somewhere fast and in a reliable manner.

When I was a private pilot I used to live in Edmonton and had friends in Calgary. I flew back and forth on a somewhat regular basis in C150, Cherokee 140 and C172. Trying to make that short trip was sometimes challenging as fresh PPL. Including one time having an engine failure in freak localized snow storm.

You can't beat West Jet / Jazz for cost, reliability, comfort, speed and guarantee of arriving at your destination on time.

Get your PPL it's fun and you'll be happy you took the challenge. Then do your night rating and IFR rating. Then rent a plane and try and do this trip once or twice. See how it works out, I think after the second attempt you'll be booking with West Jet.

Being based out of Springbank you will have lots of rental options. I would strongly suggest renting over owning. I've owned a couple planes over the years and believe it or not it's cheaper to rent than to own, and it's a lot less headache when it comes to maintenance etc.

[Shiny Side Up]

I've learned over the years that it's a complete illusion to think owning a plane means you're going to get somewhere fast and in a reliable manner.

Hence the expression: "Time to spare, go by air." The trip itself is trivial after maybe the first time which may be a bit daunting to the new pilot. Intending to do the trip on a schedule is a different matter.

[niwre]

I'd say fill your boots but YMM is a pain in the arse. Ramp fees can cripple a tight budget and so can their fuel prices. Sure you can park for free but only for four hours. After that you have to pay. Nothing is cheap about that airport but if you have the cash to spare sure. Also if you have to divert there is not many operators that have 100LL on tap in the surrounding area if you have 0 time to prep and divert on the fly (pun intended).

Now not trying to discourage you in any fashion, it's a pretty straight forward trip NAV wise but YMM can get pricey if you want to continually to do the trip.