Multi-Engine Grand Canyon Loop: Crosswind Diversions & Windshear Approaching U42

With the primary goal of building multi-engine time for fellow instructor Johnny, we took the school’s Piper Seminole out for an extensive cross-country circuit.

I flew the entire first leg under the hood as a simulated IFR flight with Johnny acting as my CFII. We initially routed west toward Ely, Nevada (KELY), carefully navigating around the complex web of MOAs and restricted airspace. Upon arriving in Ely, spicy crosswinds proved stronger than either of us cared to tackle, prompting a diversion south to Cedar City (KCDC). With time building as our sole objective, we happily banked the 3-hour and 8-minute leg into the logbook.

Zig-zagging through the established VFR transition corridors over the Grand Canyon.

Corridors & Canyon Views

After refueling at Cedar City, Johnny took the controls under the foggles while I acted as safety pilot for the 2-hour and 8-minute leg into Page, Arizona (KPGA).

Johnny popped off the foggles to take in the breathtaking shadows across the canyon floor.

Tracing south over St. George, we maneuvered through the Grand Canyon’s designated VFR flight corridors. Johnny temporarily stowed the view-limiting device so we could both enjoy the sweeping vistas—flying over the Grand Canyon never gets old.

Cruising over Lake Powell after departing Page at 5:10 PM.

Canyonlands & The Windshear Approach

Departing Page at 5:10 PM for the final leg northbound, Johnny returned under the hood as we tracked over Lake Powell, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park before turning northwest toward home.

Late afternoon sun highlighting the deep red rock cuts of Canyonlands.

Crossing into the Utah Valley, Salt Lake Approach began broadcasting windshear alerts for airliners landing at KSLC, with aircraft reporting airspeed fluctuations up to 20 knots.

Passing Point of the Mountain at 6,000 feet, the turbulence hit hard. I immediately took the controls and had Johnny remove the foggles so we had four eyes outside for the arrival into South Valley (U42). Expecting gusty conditions on final, we set up for a no-flap approach with extra speed. Johnny executed a smooth touchdown, and we taxied back to the shade hangar just as thunderstorm lightning, thunder, and heavy rain rolled across the airfield.