Jason Schappert continues his Flying to Oshkosh: Cross-Country Flight Planning, documenting the planning process for legs two and three of the journey. With Nashville as the initial stop, Jason details the next stages of the route, flight prep considerations, and the importance of maintaining flexibility based on weather and performance factors.
Detailed Route Planning and Adjustments
Jason shares the route from Nashville to a private 1,500-foot grass strip, emphasizing preflight checks, fuel management, and aircraft weight considerations before landing. The plan continues from RGA to Stanton (I50) for fuel, then toward Chicago Midway, with strategic stopovers based on distance and the “three-hour rule”, a personal minimum that limits any leg to under three hours of flight time.
Managing Risk and Performance
Jason highlights how exceeding time or fuel limits can compromise safety. By using navigation tools like ForeFlight to calculate distances and times, pilots can prevent stretching fuel reserves too thin. He also explains how personal minimums help reduce fatigue, stress, and unnecessary risk, encouraging pilots to land early rather than push limits.
Strategic Stops and Airport Selection
The video discusses the selection of alternate airports like Kokomo, chosen for accessibility and convenience. Jason explains why MzeroA is flying into Chicago Midway this year—to demonstrate operations in busy Class C airspace for future training content. Normally, he would prefer simpler airports such as Gary, Indiana, for easier logistics.
Preparing for Arrival and Community Connection
After Midway, the plan continues to Appleton (KATW), where the team will stage before flying into Oshkosh. Jason encourages followers to track the journey via Instagram and FlightAware, showcasing live updates and preflight briefings. He also promotes his new book, Paper to Pixel, a resource on digital flight planning and flight deck technology.
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