Thinking about topping off at Oceana County C04 enroute Airventure.
Any Pireps, thoughts , recommendations?
Thinking about topping off at Oceana County C04 enroute Airventure.
Any Pireps, thoughts , recommendations?
Seems primitive. I lived in West Michigan many years, but never landed at that one. Consider Ludington, just north of there. Or Muskegon, or Holland. All are attended airports. Just my preference... I certainly have landed at many remote places as well.
What kind of plane & do you plan to go across Lake MI? There are a few airports in SW MI that may have good fuel prices, research on Airnav or 100LL.com. If going around the lake, Northern IN would work. If you can make it fuel wise, KBUU in SE WI is usually pretty good.
I've stopped at Muskegon several times. It's been awhile, so I can't comment on fuel prices. I was treated well. It was just a quick fuel stop, then over the lake to OSH.
I'll be flying my Socata Rallye and looking to gas before crossing the lake.Originally Posted by Joe Delene
i came up the lakeshore in front of Chicago last OSH , this time I plan to cross the Lake.
Before the airplanes fall out of the sky when over water crowd starts up, I'm a retired naval flight officer and quite comfortable, and most importantly prepared, to fly over open water.
I have landed at Kalamazoo a couple of time to stretch my legs, grab a bite, and make the hop across the Michigan Sea. The Zoo is a reasonable place. Michigan has some pretty high taxes for avfuel, so my recommendation is to get what you need, rather than fill the tanks for the hour or so flight to OSH. The FBO there (Duncan) caters to the turbine crowd, but they were nice and helpful to me both times. Once letting me use the airport car to get breakfast at an on-aiport place (which I can't remember, other than it was very nice. I know…not exactly helpful.) This year, though I am going to try nearby Kellogg/Battle Creek. Purely sentimental reasons. When my plane was in the National Guard it was, for a time, based at Kellogg.
There's also Grand Haven 3GM...good location
I usually just start with a straight GPS course & then see what's closest along the route. The final decision is fine tuned with Air-Nav or 100LL price reports. I may adjust some if the winds on the given day strongly favor a particular runway layout. I know planning is 1/3 the fun.
At least that special use airspace over Lake MI is cold during Airventure, which helps. I'd like to snug it up some to arrive at RIPON with plenty of fuel. I may want to stop a bit prior to the lake to have some altitude before crossing the shoreline. Just like with a car, shorter distance out of the way can make up for fuel cost & time differences. One can 'run the numbers' if you want to measure with the micrometer.
I've gone over the Lake a few times, with favorable conditions. The Chicago lakefront isn't teeming with choice landing spots. There is also less time/distance when scooting by at 2800'.
MKG - Muskegon County Airport is a great place to stop. Restaurant is on the field and there is a courtesy car also. Weather computer and large lobby with comfortable seating if you have to wait for IFR slots to OSH. State Park nearby if you are making this an overnight camping stop. ATC has been very accommodating and the FBO staff has been OUTSTANDING when we have have stopped there. Julie helped us out with hotel room when stuck there. The EAA site shows there are no landing fees for Oshkosh travelers. https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/ea...special-offers We make this our stop every year. We arrive the night before we plan on flying in to OSH, so we have a fresh start in A.M. with only a short distance to go.
I cross the lake as I live in MI. One of the shortest places to,cross,the lake is at Ludington and fuel is avl there
States visited with my Piper Challenger
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