In the summer of 2023, CXO Flying Club member Jason Wollard and his son Max embarked on a three-week bucket list flight across the Western U.S., aptly named The West Coast Flying Adventure. The trip was completed in the club’s C182 shortly after the new Texas Skyways engine was installed. Their meticulous planning began months before their July departure, with Max and Jason researching their destinations based on recommendations from other pilots and online sources.
With just the two of them on board, there was ample space and empty weight available for extra gear. Alongside their personal belongings, they carried camping gear, folding bikes, spare parts, and tools. This resulted in the aircraft being just under max gross weight with full fuel. They prioritized flying in the mornings to avoid turbulence and strong winds, allowing them to explore iconic airports and experience breathtaking scenery along the way.
One particularly memorable stop was Catalina Island's "Airport in the Sky," where they camped for two nights, soaking in the stunning sunsets and sunrises. Continuing north after navigating the LAX VFR corridor, they made unforgettable stops at Halter Ranch and Half Moon Bay for refueling, all while enjoying a scenic Bay Tour around San Francisco.
Catalina Island
Flying between the Class B airspace of SFO and OAK, they beheld the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The morning became unforgettable as Max passed his 500-hour mark while flying over the Golden Gate Bridge.
Max Wollard
Venturing into the rugged North Coast, Shelter Cove Airport offered a remote and picturesque retreat, which they embraced after careful weather evaluation. Continuing into Oregon, they marveled at the Spruce Goose in McMinnville before indulging in Tillamook's cheese and ice cream.
Their journey pressed on along the Washington coast, reaching its pinnacle with the breathtaking beauty of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, where they camped for three days. Crossing the Northern U.S. Border, they chose a southern route over national parks, soaking in sights such as Puget Sound, the Columbia River Gorge, and South Lake Tahoe.
Exploring Sisters, Oregon, with airport camping, we enjoyed a scenic waterfall hike before continuing to Las Vegas via Death Valley. Passing iconic landmarks like Hoover Dam, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon, involved special flight rules, so we did our homework to ensure that we didn’t break any rules.
Marble Canyon's beauty and Monument Valley's iconic landscape, our trusty C182 performed flawlessly during the epic West Coast Flying Adventure. Clocking around 53 hours of flight time, the cost was significant, but the memories and bonding with Max were priceless.
For those planning a similar journey, YouTube videos and Foreflight's notes/comments section for individual airports proved invaluable. Surprisingly, fuel prices and overnight fees were reasonable, with most airports offering transient parking for $10 to $20 per night.
Stay tuned for their next adventure on the East Coast.
