Across the Pond

On occasion I have a flight across the pond. No, its not an ocean crossing, although it sometimes feels like it. These flights cross Lake Michigan, and require a bit more planning than flights over land. When you fly around the Great Lakes, its taken for granted that if youre in a single-engine piston aircraft, you have to carefully examine the risks and mitigations. Dont want to cross the lake at all? Fly around it and spend that extra time to stay over land. Not good weather for a crossing? Same deal.

Key Takeaways:

• Crossing Lake Michigan in a single-engine piston aircraft requires rigorous planning and risk assessment due to the significant portion of flight time beyond gliding range to shore.
• Key safety considerations include flying at high altitudes (11,000-15,000 ft) to maximize glide, carrying flotation gear and portable oxygen, and adhering to strict weather minimums.
• Pilots must carefully evaluate weather conditions, avoiding risks like icing, strong winds, and cold water temperatures, which often lead many to avoid winter crossings entirely.
• Thorough pre-flight checks, including reviewing navigation charts for unusable airway segments, are essential, as is establishing higher personal minimums for this challenging type of flight.

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