Fall foliage: Get the pilot's-eye view

Fall foliage: Get the pilot's-eye view

General aviation pilots can enjoy a luxury that many only dream of - flying low and slow above brilliant gold, orange, and red hilltops during leaf-peeping season.

To help you catch the peak fall foliage colors, The Foliage Network and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Web sites provide fall foliage reports to let you know what areas of the United States are at peak color. The Forest Service also provides a list of national forest fall foliage hotspots along with regional sites.

You can use AOPA's Real-Time Flight Planner to help you plot your aerial leaf-peeping route and avoid any restricted airspace or TFRs. And you can click through from the flight planner or directly from our Web site to AOPA's Airport Directory Online to select fuel and rest stops along the way.

Don't forget your camera! Here are some tips on how to take better aerial photographs.

October 6, 2006