Austin, TX from above - what to see?

masloki

masloki

Pattern Altitude
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Nunya
Looking for tips of places to see by air while in Austin, plus any tips on airspace. I assume AUS has a morning and evening push and is relatively sleepy otherwise. And with the floor of the Charley, 1900’ looks good enough to clear the radio towers and stay out of their hair. For the aerial tour, I’ve got Lake Travis and hill country to the south. Anything else I should be taking a peek at while swooping around?
 
Well, that’s a tad awkward. 1900’ to clear most of the stuff*. Once I plot the waypoints, then the final altitudes will be dialed in. I have no desire to get up close and personal with antennas.
 
There's one large group of towers, but it's a lot of them on one hill and they're very visible. Pennybacker bridge is cool, the tower is good about letting you circle downtown and UT. You just missed the Trail of Lights, I think they shut it down. Go to Smithville, 84R and just north of the airport you'll see the name Luecke carved out of the trees (each letter is a mile long!)

5663268938_ecf6093c37_c.jpg
 
Couple things
1. Its a 60 mile flight west to T82 to the Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner. You won't be disappointed.
2. and more important when you are headed this way from AUS, stop at KJSO for cheap fuel.

Currently $3.84Screenshot 2023-12-27 092909.png
 
I was thrilled at 4.50 fuel. Under $4 is super nice! At that price, I might even fly ROP.
Checking out T82. Thanks!

SixPapaCharlie said:
Couple things
1. Its a 60 mile flight west to T82 to the Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner. You won't be disappointed.
2. and more important when you are headed this way from AUS, stop at KJSO for cheap fuel.

Currently $3.84
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masloki said:
Checking out T82. Thanks!
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Checked out T82 - way cool and busy at the time we arrived. Looked like a 20 seater jet - that departed after we arrived on a pretty short runway. Definitely lost a few cool points for misreading ForeFlight and thinking the restaurant was open on Wednesday. Oops. Otherwise got a nice (bumpy) tour of Texas hills and flying by the capital.
 
masloki said:
I assume AUS has a morning and evening push and is relatively sleepy otherwise.
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A little late for your flight, but FWIW for anyone reading this thread in the future, in my experience the Austin Approach freqs are usually busy. I often fly between Houston and Austin, and I guess the Houston Approach airspace is carved into enough sectors that none are super-crowded. Houston Center is also not so busy. But when I get switched to Austin App, it's a struggle to find a break to even check in on frequency. The comm is just non-stop. Doesn't seem to matter what time of day.

Nice pics! Looks like you had a beautiful day for your tour.
 
Jim_R said:
A little late for your flight, but FWIW for anyone reading this thread in the future, in my experience the Austin Approach freqs are usually busy.
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Can agree with this. Very few breaks and usually a series of instructions to a sequence of SWA aircraft. They fit me in with flight following without missing a beat - and they gave me a local instruction, “stay west of the highway,” which was quickly amended when I said I was unfamiliar. Austin loves their highways so wasn’t sure which one.

Pics-wise, if you look closely in the first one, you can see the dome for the capital of Texas. Tiny in comparison to everything else around it.
 
any chance you had time to fly over AT&T stadium and drop a bag full of burning dog poop into it?
 
We overflew the Q2 arena but not AT&T. Looks like that is Dallas though so might get a chance on my way back. But if I’m dropping flaming dog turds (and how do you do that logistically in a plane with a) the flame and b) the dog?) it will be on Soldiers Field. But that team drops enough turds, not sure they need my help.
 
It's interesting to compare the size of the Gigafactory, just northeast of KAUS, to the size of normal buildings.
 
The antenna farm noted in Eman’s post is about 180 degrees from photo 1. The photo was about 1 minute before overflying the noted stadium.
 
I used to go to Austin a lot on free weekends when I was at Ft. Hood. I think it was Sixth Street that had a lot of bars and the music scene.
 
Sac Arrow said:
I used to go to Austin a lot on free weekends when I was at Ft. Hood. I think it was Sixth Street that had a lot of bars and the music scene.
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Yup.

It's been a while but the last time I went to 6th Street it got into the point to where they block it off and it was like an entry level Bourbon Street.
 
I too am looking for some local Austin knowledge. I have to fly commercial into AUS in the evening, stay overnight and then go to KEDC to fly a plane there. Any area between those airports with good hotel and good restaurant(s) walking distance from the hotel? I’ll Uber to and from the airports.
 
Lance F said:
I too am looking for some local Austin knowledge. I have to fly commercial into AUS in the evening, stay overnight and then go to KEDC to fly a plane there. Any area between those airports with good hotel and good restaurant(s) walking distance from the hotel? I’ll Uber to and from the airports.
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Lance:

"Betweeen" KAUS and KEDC there is nothing to speak of to do or see; driving 'twixt the two, you would use SH130 (toll road, noted for its 85MPH speed limit). No meaningful hotel options near KEDC, nothing interesting around KAUS; it's almost as if it usedto be an Air Force base and was subsequently converted into very busy Class C airport. Because, y'know, that's what happened.

If you want someplace where you can stay and walk to food, etc., that pretty much means downtown, which can be OK (I favor the Stephen F. Austin hotel, but there are lots of choices) - but watch where you step, as you might slip on some people-poo, or trip on a stoned street-sleeper.

How long will you be there?
 
If you have the time and opportunity, Esther’s Follies on 6th St is always a hoot but only has shows Thurs-Sat. Although it tends to “hit” a pretty broad political spectrum, some may have their tender fee-fees hurt but most have a good time. The magician is great.
 
I arrive on Delta at AUS 9/12 6:37pm. Have to be at KEDC the next morning at 10:30am. Don't want to rent a car. Guess I should Uber to downtown and stay there. Thanks Spike.
 
Lance F said:
I arrive on Delta at AUS 9/12 6:37pm. Have to be at KEDC the next morning at 10:30am. Don't want to rent a car. Guess I should Uber to downtown and stay there. Thanks Spike.
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LBJ library on the east side of the campus.
 
murphey said:
LBJ library on the east side of the campus.
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Actually, I have done the LBJ Library a few years ago when I went to a football game (my alma mater USC got beat pretty badly). Found it very interesting.
 
Lance F said:
I arrive on Delta at AUS 9/12 6:37pm. Have to be at KEDC the next morning at 10:30am. Don't want to rent a car. Guess I should Uber to downtown and stay there. Thanks Spike.
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You might consider somewhere near the Domain unless you really want to be downtown. There’s a lot of options there and the ride to EDC should be easier.

If downtown-ish is the case, I prefer Dai Due or Hoover’s for dinner but may require a short Uber, they’re both east of 35. Domain, North Italia is good.
 
Check out Lone Star Court. I haven't stayed there, but have been very happy with sister properties. It's in a mixed-use area, where you should be able to find refreshment nearby. Not on the direct route between them, but about 20 minutes from each airport.
 
Lindberg said:
Check out Lone Star Court. I haven't stayed there, but have been very happy with sister properties. It's in a mixed-use area, where you should be able to find refreshment nearby. Not on the direct route between them, but about 20 minutes from each airport.
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Right in the Domain. I’ve heard good things, but never stayed there.
 
North of EDC at the SW corner of 45 and 130 there are several hotels and restaurants. When I fly into EDC I usually get a crew car and drive up there to have lunch.
 
I flew there for years as my kiddo went to under-grad and law school there .... it changed dramatically during that time (finished law school last year and did an additional one at NYU). I was using KEDC every month, they started charging fees during the last year. Had one event where they weren't allowing transient parking, so wen to Georgetown instead (those guys were awesome). Stayed with my son whenever I went. The hotels go CRAZY if there is any event or game in town ... even the dive Motel 6 on I-35 near the stadium jumps to $159-189 a night from $59 ....
 
Lowflynjack said:
There's one large group of towers, but it's a lot of them on one hill and they're very visible. Pennybacker bridge is cool, the tower is good about letting you circle downtown and UT. You just missed the Trail of Lights, I think they shut it down. Go to Smithville, 84R and just north of the airport you'll see the name Luecke carved out of the trees (each letter is a mile long!)

5663268938_ecf6093c37_c.jpg
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ive seen that for years, do you have any info on who and why? on a side note, you don't want to give away one of your favorite air to air spots, over the nude beach?
 
unsafervguy said:
ive seen that for years, do you have any info on who and why? on a side note, you don't want to give away one of your favorite air to air spots, over the nude beach?
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Y'all mean Hippie Hollow, Paleface Park, or Barton Springs? (allegedly)
 
Piperonca said:
Y'all mean Hippie Hollow, Paleface Park, or Barton Springs? (allegedly)
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hippie hollow. i assume because of the dam, the island, and the bluffs it makes a great background and its one of jacks goto areas for air to air. he has a lot of fantastic shots over that area. especially around sunset.
 
Jack has taken some fantastic TXARNG helicopter shots, but they weren't near the lake as I recall. Obviously the Guard would not be training there. Occasional sightseeing, maybe.
 
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