Flying for Football

NealRomeoGolf

NealRomeoGolf

Final Approach
PoA Supporter
Joined
Apr 12, 2016
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5,123
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Illinois
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NRG
I have an unhealthy loyalty to sports teams. My college football team is consistently one of the worst teams in FBS and yet I still watch. Anyway, with moving back to the States next year, I started looking to see what it would take to fly to all 12 games next season. I live in Illinois. My university was in Texas so every game would be travel for me. Here is what it would break down to:

6 flights to Denton, TX. 583 nm each (one way)
6 flights (1 each) to: San Antonio, El Paso, College Station, Houston, Birmingham and Murfreesboro. 4001 nm in total one way

So if I were to go to every game, I would end up with round trip travel of 15,000 nm and about 150 hours in my log book (Archers aren't fast). The biggest trip would be the one to El Paso, requiring 3 fuel stops unless I really want to push 4 hour legs. The trips to Murfressboro and Birmingham could both be done without a stop. Weather would obviously get in the way for some without my instrument rating. Fun to map out and think about.
 
That would definitely put you in the elite group of "most loyal fans!"
 
Wow. I used to think I was a big, supportive fan of my teams anemic football program.
 
Hey, I'd support NFL football in Cincinnati, but we don't have a pro team here.
The farthest I've traveled (and it was by car) to see sports was going to Pittsburgh to watch the Reds vs. Pirates.
Other than that, 25 miles is my limit.
 
Kenny Phillips said:
Hey, I'd support NFL football in Cincinnati, but we don't have a pro team here.
The farthest I've traveled (and it was by car) to see sports was going to Pittsburgh to watch the Reds vs. Pirates.
Other than that, 25 miles is my limit.
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That’s too bad. I’ve been to almost all National League baseball stadiums, but some were when I was living in California and they were closer. I enjoy sports more than I should.
 
I go to a patriots away game every year. Usually go in a group,so I’m not flying my plane.
 
NealRomeoGolf said:
Anyway, with moving back to the States next year, I started looking to see what it would take to fly to all 12 games next season. I live in Illinois.
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That could be some fun. I've flown to a few, more for the fun of it than saving time as I'm only a 1.5 - 2 hrs drive from Auburn. We did fly to Tampa for the Outback Bowl several years ago. It was the noon game, so down for the game and back again that day.

NealRomeoGolf said:
Weather would obviously get in the way for some without my instrument rating. Fun to map out and think about.
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True, but much of the weather that would stop you in mid-August to late September in Texas and the mid-west could also stop an IR pilot; thunderstorms.

Have fun!


Wayne
 
Ground transportation was the big question for me, when I’ve planned trips to college games.

Very few stadia are within walking distance from the local airport. Those are my favorite destinations, in case nothing else works out.

Some FBOs provide a van ride to the stadium. The Purdue Univ airport KLAF offered rides to the stadium, but not back, so we walked back, and looked eagerly for a port-a-potty on that hour-long trek.

A rental car works if I stay overnight, as at a bowlgame.
 
I started noticing that some of the smaller schools' stadiums have lots of open seats. Hmmm says I. So one morning a couple years ago a friend & I flew to Lafayette for a Buckeyes/Boilermakers game. We got a ride from the FBO and dropped off in front of the stadium (which earned the student a tip), then walked thru campus back to the airport. What a great reason to fly!
 
NoHeat said:
Ground transportation was the big question for me, when I’ve planned trips to college games. Very few stadia are within walking distance from the local airport. Those are my favorite destinations, in case nothing else works out. Some FBOs provide a van ride to the stadium. The Purdue Univ airport KLAF offered rides to the stadium, but not back, so we walked back, and looked eagerly for a port-a-potty on that hour-long trek. A rental car works if I stay overnight, as at a bowlgame.
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Fortunately I made a pit stop before leaving the stadium as you're right, it's a 1.8 mile walk thru campus. It was also pretty chilly that day so I welcomed the physical activity. I enjoy seeing other college campuses, especially ones as nice as Purdue. I'd like to do an Indiana game next season but they are playing in Columbus.
 
I don't even think Mean Joe Greene is THAT dedicated. (But do call us when in Denton)
 
That sounds like a great excuse to burn some AvGas! My wife and I are talking about starting a MLB stadium tour.
 
I am humbled. Live where my team plays and can get discounted tickets, yet I still watch the bulk of the games on TV. Then again, I do have an airplane to feed.
 
I'm a season ticket holder, but we've been too bad recently to make going to away games worth it....hopefully Lane Kiffin can change that. I've been to our last 5 bowl games though, and even flew to Wyoming to see us get beat back in 04 :rolleyes:
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ktup-flyer said:
I'm a season ticket holder, but we've been too bad recently to make going to away games worth it....hopefully Lane Kiffin can change that. I've been to our last 5 bowl games though, and even flew to Wyoming to see us get beat back in 04 :rolleyes:
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Hotty Toddy fellow Rebel fan. The Lane Train is gathering momentum, I am finally excited about Ole Miss football again.
 
A few mods and you will be able to land in the field.

 
College Station has a shuttle that uses an otherwise closed road on game day to get you back to the airport in no time after the game is over. They used to even have free booze when you got there. If you’ve come all that way, you might as well stick around for a night. UNT was one of the ones I was thinking about, so let me know if you do make it for that one.
 
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