I'm planning my first cross country.

We are flying to all mountain airports and I'm not really sure how to do this.  For instance, one airport we are flying to has a field elevation of 5045'.  I want to depart and climb to 8500'.  

How do I use the Time, Fuel, and Distance to climb chart in that scenario?  It all starts at MSL.  Obviously it's not going to take me 18 minutes and 25NM to climb 3500', right?  So where do I start?

Another airport we're flying to has a field elevation of 7014'.  Again, I want to climb to 8500'.  I'm just sort of lost as to how to figure out the time and distance required using the POH chart.

First cut is to subtract your starting altitude from your destination altitude.

There are additional modifiers for performance at particular altitudes (vs departure from sea level), but that will give you a first cut - your performance will certainly be no better departing from 5000+ than departing from sea level, but it should give you a feel for the order of magnitude.

Start at airport elevation altitude and that's your new "zero".  

If it's 15 minutes from SL to 5000' and 25 minutes from SL to 9000, take 25-15.  10 minutes.

Thanks!  That's makes sense

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This is TFD chart for a Cessna 172R.



For instance, your first flight from 5045' to 8500, you would subtract the amount of SL to 5000 from SL to 8500' (obviously interpolating between 8k and 9k). Remember that these are based on standard temps and distance is based on zero wind. You can still find distance using TAS and figuring GS with the E6B with using the time it takes for the climb.

That's what I've been doing.  Working out OK so far.  I always end up getting to TOC a little faster than the book, since I'm alone in the plane and no baggage.  Climbs a little better.  I usually end up pitching for a little more airspeed vs. Vy.  I'm able to maintain a better scan over the cowl and I still get to my altitudes fast enough.

Good idea! Sounds like you have a handle on it.