I am planning a VFR flight from KILG New Castle County, DE. to KORF, Norfolk, VA. I have chosen an eastern shore route through Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. This will enable me to avoid the DC SFRA and various "R" restricted areas in between and is the most sensible in terms of VFR landmarks and Nav aids. My concern is the 15nm over the bay between Fisherman's Island and the Norfolk Airport. Based on the magnetic course altitude requirements for VFR flight I will be at even thousands +500 i.e. 4500, 6500, or 8500. My airplane is a C-172S. I was not planning to fly that high but at an altitude of 6,500 feet using a ( best case ) glide ratio of 9:1 I get a glide distance of 9.6 miles which appears to be within legal limits without the required safety equipment. The plane is a rental,(flight school aircraft), so I believe 91.205 applies if we were to fly at lower altitude. It is my opinion that it might be a good idea to include the approved flotation gear for each occupant and the pyrotechnic signaling device as required by 91.205 regardless of altitude because it provides an extra margin of safety.
My questions are as follows:
1. Do you agree with my calculations and assumptions?
2. What would you do?
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