One After Another

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 01:22 PM ET

Verified

Relevant Discussion: AIM 4-3-26, 7-1-1, 7-1-11, 7-1-17, 7-1-29, 7-1-30, FAA-H-8083-16, 8083-25, AC 150/5220-16, order 8260.19F 8-6-6 Nathan Rambo

Key Takeaways:

The flight from Elkhart to Buffalo requires extensive pre-flight planning to navigate complex airspaces, including U.S. Class B (Detroit, Cleveland) and Canadian Flight Information Regions (FIRs) and Special Use Airspace (CYA).
Pilots must utilize various charts (VFR Flyway, TACs, digital sectionals) and resources (EFBs, FAA/NAV CANADA guides) to optimize routes, understand potential ATC reroutes, and consider factors like overwater segments and weather deviations.
Additional planning includes understanding ADS-B compliance for both U.S. and Canadian airspaces (including procedures for inop/unequipped ADS-B) and international requirements like radio licenses and carrying passports for potential Canadian diversions.

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A long-awaited family reunion is finally happening in Buffalo, New York, just over two-hours’ flight time from your home in Elkhart, Indiana. Two hours, that is, going direct, 331 miles, KEKM-KBUF. You’ve never flown to Buffalo, but you already know direct won’t be possible thanks to some busy airspace up ahead. So you’ve set aside a good hour the day before the trip to figure out the best route to file, unaware that the flight planning will require all of that hour, and more.

Navigating Bravos

Any route flying is still faster than the seven-hour drive, and your Cessna 210 can easily accommodate three passengers and a lot of small bags. First airspace obstacle is Detroit Metro Wayne County. You’re ADS-B Out compliant, so it’s okay to enter (provided you comply with the other requirements in
§91.131, Operations in Class B airspace).