World Tour 013-Tucson to San Antonio – Western USA

Printer Friendly version

Stage 13 of the tour starts with a flyover of the giant aircraft boneyard at Davis Monthan Air Base, before you head east into New Mexico and a look at the White Sands Missile Range and former nuclear testing facility. Moving southeast into Texas, you’ll journey along the mighty Rio Grande River which forms part of the the USA/Mexico border, before heading east to one of the jewels of the Lone Star state, the city of San Antonio.

See trip in Skyvector

Total Legs: 23 Total Distance: 1152 Total Time(125kts): 9 hours 12 minutes

Leg 1

Flying from KTUS

Leg Distance: 53.39 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KTUS(KTUS) to Boneyard(POI1)

Distance: 5.05NM Bearing: 48° 2 minutes

After takeoff, head northeast to Davis Monthan Air Force Base, and the gigantic aircraft graveyard to its east

Boneyard(POI1) to I-10(POI2)

Distance: 12.72NM Bearing: 128° 6 minutes

After the boneyard, head south to meet Interstate Highway 10, then follow it southeast

I-10(POI2) to Mescal(POI3)

Distance: 16.17NM Bearing: 91° 8 minutes

Follow the highway east, past the town of Mescal, then turn south

Mescal(POI3) to Whetstone Mountains(POI4)

Distance: 16.31NM Bearing: 167° 8 minutes

Head south along the eastern edge of the Whetstone Mountains. You'll also meet highway 90 heading south towards the distant Huachuca Mountains

Whetstone Mountains(POI4) to 11AZ(11AZ)

Distance: 3.14NM Bearing: 90° 2 minutes

The highway will meet a T-junction with highway 82 in the town of Whetstone. From here turn east, and the dirt airstrip is a couple of miles ahead, just south of the highway

Leg 2

Flying from 11AZ

Leg Distance: 34.64 Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

11AZ(11AZ) to South Charleston Road(POI5)

Distance: 8.76NM Bearing: 86° 4 minutes

After takeoff, head east across two (usually) dry riverbeds before meeting South Charleston Road as it heads northeast through a group of hills

South Charleston Road(POI5) to Tombstone(POI6)

Distance: 3.78NM Bearing: 36° 2 minutes

Follow the road to the town of Tombstone, one of the most famous towns in Americas "Wild West" folklore. The site of the O.K Corral shootout is in the center of town, and Boot Hill Cemetery is just to the north of town

Tombstone(POI6) to Hay Mountain(POI7)

Distance: 10.23NM Bearing: 106° 5 minutes

The main street of Tombstone will point to east to the lone peak of Hay Mountain, 10 miles away

Hay Mountain(POI7) to 2AZ9(2AZ9)

Distance: 11.87NM Bearing: 92° 6 minutes

Head east from the mountain, towards the large circular crop fields, and the small town of McNeal beyond. The airfield is at the town's eastern edge

Leg 3

Flying from 2AZ9

Leg Distance: 37.45 Approximate time at 125kts: 18 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

2AZ9(2AZ9) to Chiricahua Peak(POI8)

Distance: 24.05NM Bearing: 48° 12 minutes

Head northeast over the Swisshelm Mountain range, then to the larger Chiricahua Mountains. Aim just to the right of the tallest peak, Chiricahua.

Chiricahua Peak(POI8) to Portal(POI9)

Distance: 8.37NM Bearing: 44° 4 minutes

From the peaks, you should see a valley heading northeast out of the mountains. Descend along the valley to the small town of Portal at the eastern edge of the mountains

Portal(POI9) to NM70(NM70)

Distance: 5.03NM Bearing: 56° 2 minutes

Head northeast across the plain towards the hills in the distance. Halfway across the plain you will come the large dirt airstrip of Rodeo Airport

Leg 4

Flying from NM70

Leg Distance: 69.29 Approximate time at 125kts: 33 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

NM70(NM70) to Peloncillo Mountains(POI10)

Distance: 10.69NM Bearing: 46° 5 minutes

After takeoff, fly northeast over the nearby Peloncillo Mountains, meeting up with state road 338 heading north on the other side

Peloncillo Mountains(POI10) to I-10(POI11)

Distance: 13.75NM Bearing: 351° 7 minutes

Follow the road north until it meets Interstate 10 heading northeast

I-10(POI11) to Lordsburg(POI12)

Distance: 9.56NM Bearing: 56° 5 minutes

Follow I-10 northeast to the town of Lordsburg

Lordsburg(POI12) to Burro Peak(POI13)

Distance: 19.91NM Bearing: 37° 10 minutes

From Lordsburg, head northeast to the dark peaks of the Burro Mountains

Burro Peak(POI13) to Mine(POI14)

Distance: 5.01NM Bearing: 31° 2 minutes

Continue northeast over the mountain to the large copper and gold mine beyond

Mine(POI14) to 94E(94E)

Distance: 10.37NM Bearing: 42° 5 minutes

From the mine, continue northeast in the direction of another large mine in the distance. About half way there you should see Whiskey Creek airfield to your left

Leg 5

Flying from 94E

Leg Distance: 56.07 Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

94E(94E) to Kneeling Nun(POI15)

Distance: 8.23NM Bearing: 67° 4 minutes

After takeoff, head northeast towards the large copper mine. Below the rock bluff that juts into the south side of the mine is the rock formation called the Kneeling Nun

Kneeling Nun(POI15) to Mimbres River(POI16)

Distance: 7.51NM Bearing: 91° 4 minutes

Head east from the Kneeling Nun until you reach the Mimbres River and highway 61 heading southeast

Mimbres River(POI16) to Mimbres River(POI17)

Distance: 6.77NM Bearing: 142° 3 minutes

Follow the river and highway southeast. When the river turns away to the south, turn left and head east

Mimbres River(POI17) to Nutt Mountain(POI18)

Distance: 19.99NM Bearing: 90° 10 minutes

The land will soon flatten out. Keep heading east and fly between the two small peaks

Nutt Mountain(POI18) to NM-26(POI19)

Distance: 7.56NM Bearing: 91° 4 minutes

Continue east until you reach state highway 26 leading northeast

NM-26(POI19) to E05(E05)

Distance: 6.01NM Bearing: 53° 3 minutes

Following the highway northeast, you will find Hatch Municipal airport on the north side of the road a couple of miles before you reach the town

Leg 6

Flying from E05

Leg Distance: 52.36 Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

E05(E05) to Rio Grande(POI20)

Distance: 6.88NM Bearing: 85° 3 minutes

Head east over the town, then follow the Rio Grande River southeast

Rio Grande(POI20) to Las Cruces(POI21)

Distance: 24.39NM Bearing: 141° 12 minutes

The river will lead you to the western side of Las Cruces

Las Cruces(POI21) to Organ Mountains(POI22)

Distance: 14.83NM Bearing: 87° 7 minutes

Once you reach the center of Las Cruces, head east across town towards the Organ Mountains. Fly through the low point in the southern half of the mountains

Organ Mountains(POI22) to KWSD(KWSD)

Distance: 6.26NM Bearing: 57° 3 minutes

After passing over the mountain range, turn northeast to Condron Army Airfield, which sits within the White Sands Missile Range

Leg 7

Flying from KWSD

Leg Distance: 36.58 Approximate time at 125kts: 18 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KWSD(KWSD) to Black Mountain(POI23)

Distance: 11.35NM Bearing: 347° 5 minutes

After takeoff, head north and fly along the eastern side of the Organ Mountains

Black Mountain(POI23) to White Sands National Park(POI24)

Distance: 16.85NM Bearing: 352° 8 minutes

Continue north to the bleached landscape of White Sands National Park, which is within the White Sands Missile Range

White Sands National Park(POI24) to KHOL(KHOL)

Distance: 8.38NM Bearing: 356° 4 minutes

Continue to the northern region of the white plain, to the White Sands Space Harbour. Test your skill landing on one of the 35000ft runways, a backup landing strip for the space shuttle program

Leg 8

Flying from KHOL

Leg Distance: 58.38 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KHOL(KHOL) to Oscura Mountains(POI25)

Distance: 35.55NM Bearing: 359° 17 minutes

Head north after takeoff until you reach the ridgeline of the Oscura Mountains running northwest, with a road also heading northwest between the mountain ranges

Oscura Mountains(POI25) to Trinity Site(POI26)

Distance: 10.99NM Bearing: 315° 5 minutes

Follow the road northwest and it will lead you to the Trinity Site, the site of the world's first nuclear explosion in 1945

Trinity Site(POI26) to 95E(95E)

Distance: 11.84NM Bearing: 307° 6 minutes

12 miles northwest of the Trinity Site, just near a group of low, dark hills, is the Stallion Army Airfield

Leg 9

Flying from 95E

Leg Distance: 42.05 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

95E(95E) to Valley of Fires(POI27)

Distance: 36.14NM Bearing: 90° 17 minutes

Head east after takeoff. When you reach the black landscape of the Valley of Fires, turn south

Valley of Fires(POI27) to US-380(POI28)

Distance: 2.56NM Bearing: 180° 1 minutes

Follow the lava bed south until you reach highway 380, cutting southeast through the landscape

US-380(POI28) to F37(F37)

Distance: 3.35NM Bearing: 140° 2 minutes

The highway will lead to the town of Carrizozo, with the airport just west of the town

Leg 10

Flying from F37

Leg Distance: 44.04 Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

F37(F37) to Sacramento Mountains(POI29)

Distance: 13.83NM Bearing: 205° 7 minutes

After takeoff, head south along the western edge of the Sacramento Mountains

Sacramento Mountains(POI29) to Tularosa(POI30)

Distance: 22.94NM Bearing: 169° 11 minutes

Keep heading down the western side of the mountain range, where you will meet up with highway 54 heading south to the town of Tularosa

Tularosa(POI30) to 72NM(72NM)

Distance: 7.27NM Bearing: 153° 3 minutes

Follow the highway southeast from Tularosa towards Alamogordo. The large dirt strip of Otero Mill is just to the left of the highway on the northern edge of town

Leg 11

Flying from 72NM

Leg Distance: 24.89 Approximate time at 125kts: 12 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

72NM(72NM) to Alamogordo(POI31)

Distance: 4.77NM Bearing: 165° 2 minutes

Fly south over the town of Alamogordo, then turn southeast towards the mountains

Alamogordo(POI31) to Sacramento Peak(POI32)

Distance: 9.13NM Bearing: 121° 4 minutes

Heading southeast from the town, climb over the western foothills of the mountains until you reach a highway winding its way southeast

Sacramento Peak(POI32) to E02(E02)

Distance: 10.99NM Bearing: 139° 5 minutes

The road will lead you directly to Timberon airfield, in a lower region of the mountains

Leg 12

Flying from E02

Leg Distance: 48.7 Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

E02(E02) to Brokeoff Mountains(POI33)

Distance: 33.04NM Bearing: 136° 16 minutes

Head southeast down to flat land, and fly along the western edge of the hills as they point you in the direction of Guadalupe Peak in the distance, and the state of Texas

Brokeoff Mountains(POI33) to 2E5(2E5)

Distance: 15.66NM Bearing: 153° 8 minutes

When you see farmland to your south, turn and head to the town of Dell City and its airport, which are surrounded by a group of circular crop fields

Leg 13

Flying from 2E5

Leg Distance: 66.09 Approximate time at 125kts: 32 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

2E5(2E5) to Guadalupe Peak(POI34)

Distance: 18.19NM Bearing: 105° 9 minutes

Head east from Dell City to Guadalupe Peak at the southern tip of the Guadalupe Mountains, which also house the massive Carlsbad Caverns cave system

Guadalupe Peak(POI34) to TX-54(POI35)

Distance: 29.9NM Bearing: 170° 14 minutes

From the southern tip of the mountains, head south along with state highway 54

TX-54(POI35) to Baylor Mountains(POI36)

Distance: 7.68NM Bearing: 189° 4 minutes

Keep following the road south as it passes between Diablo Mountains and Baylor Mountains

Baylor Mountains(POI36) to KVHN(KVHN)

Distance: 10.32NM Bearing: 149° 5 minutes

The highway will make a left then right turn to pass between the Baylor and Beach Mountain ranges, before heading south to the town of Van Horn. He airport is a couple of miles east of the town

Leg 14

Flying from KVHN

Leg Distance: 63.66 Approximate time at 125kts: 31 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KVHN(KVHN) to US-90(POI37)

Distance: 9.02NM Bearing: 180° 4 minutes

After takeoff, head south and meet up with US highway 90 which will lead you southeast

US-90(POI37) to Ryan Flat(POI38)

Distance: 43.35NM Bearing: 131° 21 minutes

Follow the highway southeast along its arrow straight traverse of Ryan Flat

Ryan Flat(POI38) to KMRF(KMRF)

Distance: 11.29NM Bearing: 86° 5 minutes

As the highway turns towards the town of Marfa, head east to the airport just north of the town

Leg 15

Flying from KMRF

Leg Distance: 48.46 Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KMRF(KMRF) to US-67(POI39)

Distance: 12.1NM Bearing: 189° 6 minutes

After takeoff, head south over the town. US highway 67 will lead you south from there

US-67(POI39) to Chinati Mountains(POI40)

Distance: 28.27NM Bearing: 204° 14 minutes

Follow the highway as it heads south and through the lower foothills of the Chinati Mountains

Chinati Mountains(POI40) to KPRS(KPRS)

Distance: 8.09NM Bearing: 178° 4 minutes

The highway will lead straight past Presidio Airport, a few miles north of the town which sits on the USA/Mexico border

Leg 16

Flying from KPRS

Leg Distance: 46.11 Approximate time at 125kts: 22 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KPRS(KPRS) to Presidio(POI41)

Distance: 5.32NM Bearing: 176° 3 minutes

Head south to the town, then follow the Rio Grande River east

Presidio(POI41) to Rio Grande(POI42)

Distance: 25.33NM Bearing: 120° 12 minutes

Follow the Rio Grande River as it carves its way southeast. It forms part of the border between the USA and Mexico and is known as the Rio Bravo in Mexico

Rio Grande(POI42) to Latijas(POI43)

Distance: 10.53NM Bearing: 96° 5 minutes

Continue east along the river until it turns south at the small town of Latijas

Latijas(POI43) to T89(T89)

Distance: 4.93NM Bearing: 71° 2 minutes

Head east over the small town and you should see the airfield on the flat land a few miles ahead

Leg 17

Flying from T89

Leg Distance: 52.87 Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

T89(T89) to Rio Grande(POI44)

Distance: 5.07NM Bearing: 244° 2 minutes

After takeoff, head west back to the town of Latijas

Rio Grande(POI44) to Rio Grande(POI45)

Distance: 5.07NM Bearing: 137° 2 minutes

Follow the river southeast as the valley tightens into Santa Elena Canyon

Rio Grande(POI45) to Santa Elena Canyon(POI46)

Distance: 5.94NM Bearing: 94° 3 minutes

Follow the river east as it heads through Santa Elena Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon(POI46) to Chisos Mountains(POI47)

Distance: 15.44NM Bearing: 82° 7 minutes

After the river leaves the canyon, head east to the Chisos Mountains, which lie within Big Bend National Park. Aim to be a few miles south of the tallest point, Emory Peak

Chisos Mountains(POI47) to Rio Grande(POI48)

Distance: 16.31NM Bearing: 89° 8 minutes

From the Chisos Mountains, head east between the two smaller mountains and back to the Rio Grande River

Rio Grande(POI48) to KSAH(KSAH)

Distance: 5.04NM Bearing: 66° 2 minutes

Follow the river northeast to the small town of Boquillas del Carmen. The dirt airstrip is a couple of miles southeast of the town

Leg 18

Flying from KSAH

Leg Distance: 16.96 Approximate time at 125kts: 8 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KSAH(KSAH) to Rio Grande(POI49)

Distance: 10.35NM Bearing: 4° 5 minutes

After takeoff, follow the river north as is flows through another canyon

Rio Grande(POI49) to 1XS7(1XS7)

Distance: 6.61NM Bearing: 16° 3 minutes

Stay with the river as it turns east then north again. Just west of the Mexican border town of La Linda is the dirt airstrip at Heath Canyon

Leg 19

Flying from 1XS7

Leg Distance: 58.24 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

1XS7(1XS7) to Rio Grande(POI50)

Distance: 19.51NM Bearing: 20° 9 minutes

After takeoff, continue following the river north

Rio Grande(POI50) to Rio Grande(POI51)

Distance: 14.84NM Bearing: 79° 7 minutes

The river will cut through deeper canyons as it heads east

Rio Grande(POI51) to Rio Grande(POI52)

Distance: 7.61NM Bearing: 23° 4 minutes

Keep following the river at it turns back towards the north.

Rio Grande(POI52) to US-90(POI53)

Distance: 10.9NM Bearing: 356° 5 minutes

Where the river turns away to the east and the canyons become shallower, turn and head north across the flatter terrain where you will soon meet highway 90

US-90(POI53) to 6R6(6R6)

Distance: 5.38NM Bearing: 94° 3 minutes

Follow highway 90 east to the Terrell County airfield, which sits adjacent to the road

Leg 20

Flying from 6R6

Leg Distance: 49.55 Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

6R6(6R6) to Langtry(POI54)

Distance: 36.9NM Bearing: 107° 18 minutes

Follow the highway east across the flat Texas landscape. You will eventually reach the town of Langtry on the bank of the Rio Grande River

Langtry(POI54) to XA49(XA49)

Distance: 12.65NM Bearing: 351° 6 minutes

Head north from Langtry. A dirt road will lead the way to Oso Canyon airstrip

Leg 21

Flying from XA49

Leg Distance: 53.63 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

XA49(XA49) to Amistad Reservoir(POI55)

Distance: 32.91NM Bearing: 145° 16 minutes

After takeoff, head southeast and follow the Rio Grand once again. It will eventually lead you to the large Amistad Reservoir

Amistad Reservoir(POI55) to Governor’s Landing Bridge(POI56)

Distance: 12.28NM Bearing: 104° 6 minutes

Head east along the reservoir. Once you read the road and rail bridge crossing a narrow section of the reservoir, turn southeast towards the large town of Del Rio

Governor’s Landing Bridge(POI56) to KDRT(KDRT)

Distance: 8.44NM Bearing: 135° 4 minutes

Del Rio International Airport sits on the western edge of the town

Leg 22

Flying from KDRT

Leg Distance: 58.55 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

KDRT(KDRT) to US-90(POI57)

Distance: 19.89NM Bearing: 91° 10 minutes

Fly east over the town of Del Rio, then Laughlin Air Force Base, the largest pilot training base in the USAF. You will eventually meet up with US highway 90 heading east

US-90(POI57) to Anacacho Mountains(POI58)

Distance: 22.93NM Bearing: 101° 11 minutes

The landscape will start to turn greener as the highway runs east past the Anacacho Mountains wind farm, and onto the farmlands of Southern Texas

Anacacho Mountains(POI58) to 2XS8(2XS8)

Distance: 15.73NM Bearing: 88° 8 minutes

The highway will pass through the town of Uvalde, with the small Benson airstrip in farmland just west of the town

Leg 23

Flying from 2XS8

Leg Distance: 80.38 Approximate time at 125kts: 39 minutes.

See leg in Skyvector

2XS8(2XS8) to US-90(POI59)

Distance: 15.91NM Bearing: 66° 8 minutes

Head east after takeoff, and meet back up with US-90 on the other side of Uvalde as it heads northeast

US-90(POI59) to Castroville(POI60)

Distance: 37.45NM Bearing: 82° 18 minutes

Follow the highway east, passing the towns of Sabinal, Hondo and Castroville

Castroville(POI60) to Kelly Field(POI61)

Distance: 12.77NM Bearing: 73° 6 minutes

Keep following the highway as it enters the outskirts of San Antonio, passing Kelly Field, a former Air Force Base

Kelly Field(POI61) to I-37 Interchange(POI62)

Distance: 5.9NM Bearing: 94° 3 minutes

The highway will take you to the south side of San Antonio. Turn north at the interchange with I-37 and follow it to the east side of the city

I-37 Interchange(POI62) to KSAT(KSAT)

Distance: 8.35NM Bearing: 0° 4 minutes

Heading north past the city, the most visible landmarks will be the Alamodome sporting arena and the Tower of the Americas. The legendary Alamo fort and museum sits in the eastern part of downtown. Continue north to San Antonio International

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *