The Great Western Fly-In

SkyHog

SkyHog

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Everything Offends Me
Ok - so - Don Jones and I were talking in the chatroom tonight about possibly setting up a western fly-in. That doesn't mean y'all easterners can't come. If you're up to it - come on out to the rugged country of the west!

We were thinking of a place like Sedona, Arizona. The HMS Sedona, as it's called by the locals, is one of the most beautiful airports in the United States, according to those I've spoken to that have been there. It has a restaurant on field, and accommodations on field as well. There is hiking to be done, the grand canyon isn't too far away, and one of the best breakfasts I've heard exists in the United States.

The Sky Ranch Lodge is the place to stay it would seem. The rooms are listed as being $75 a night for a room with a king size bed and a garden view, to $189 a night for a red rock view and King or Double Queen size bed with fireplace, private deck, kitchenette and vaulted ceiling. They even allow pets for those of you with dogs or cats that you can't leave at home!

The flight into Sedona is supposedly one of the prettiest views in the entire United States. The airport website has a landing fee of $7.50 for singles, $10 for twins, but I'll bet (not guarantee) that we can work something out if there is enough interest.

Anyone like this idea? I'll see if I can set up a website soon with a bunch of information about Sedona and what not (I'll see if I can make it as complete as Chip's Gastons website). Let us know if y'all wanna come. I think it'd be a blast!

OH - we're looking for some time in October. If people wanna come - let us know what dates would be best.
 
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Nick,

Don't make it October 6th thru the 9th. We will have the airport maxed out with Commanders. Commanders Owners Group(COG) expects 80-100 Commanders, as well as the AOPA Commander 112, AOPA President Phil Boyer and Pilot/Writer Steve Ells.
Gary
:blueplane:
 
August 13 works for me (;-) as part of my western swing to see the folks, sister, and a family reunion on the 6th! ( I know, it's not October....) sigh.
 
Are you talking about SEZ?
 
HMS Sedona. Housing will be pricey- but it can be done. Everyone has to experience L'Auberge d'Sedona, which is the $100 supper....but it's really worth the $100. ONCE.

Pink Jeep Tours. etc.
You know, Flagstaff just up Oak Creek Canyon 38 nm might be a much better value....we could LUNCH at SEZ! Nice restaurant on the field....
 
I will try and make it Nick. No gurantee's at this point though.
Will not try for the most indirect route award this time though. I should be able to get a warrior for the weekend. Any date is fine with me.

Mark B.
 
SEZ in October. Beautiful! Doubt I could make it all the way down from Idaho, but I'll track this thread just in case.

Judy
 
I'll be a maybe, depending on where I am in October...
 
Oh My God! That is really tempting. I've been there and it is beautiful. I also understand why some would call it the HMS Sedona being that it's up there on that plateau. It would be just terrific in October too, that's when I was there before. It would be an awfully long ride for me though. The last time I went out there I flew to Prescott AZ which is just over Mingus Mountain in the next valley to the west. It took me 16 hours of flying time to get to Prescott. That would mean about 15 1/2 to Sedona with the same wind conditions.

Like I said, it sure is tempting.

Jeannie
 
jkaduk said:
Been many times. Would love to go again. Isn't October near monsoon season though?
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No, Monsoon season just opened here recently. Should be duck season by october.
 
Michael said:
No, Monsoon season just opened here recently. Should be duck season by october.
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Actually, we haven't "officially" hit it until three consecutive days of 55 degree dewpoint. We haven't done that yet. They're expecting it at the end of this week.

They usually end mid-late September. Mother Nature often has her own agenda, however, so it's impossible to predict.
 
Brian Austin said:
Actually, we haven't "officially" hit it until three consecutive days of 55 degree dewpoint. We haven't done that yet. They're expecting it at the end of this week.

They usually end mid-late September. Mother Nature often has her own agenda, however, so it's impossible to predict.
Click to expand...

Are you going to be able to make this one Brian? Hope so.

Michael
 
Michael said:
Are you going to be able to make this one Brian? Hope so.

Michael
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I think so. Heck, it's only a 90 minute drive if I can't get a plane. Might just grab the flyrod and head up to Oak Creek Canyon afterward.

Here, fishy, fishy....
 
Well it is a little harder to sit and grade landings, but should be a good time.
It can't be the weekend of Oct 8-9 since the Countdown to the Xprize Expo is being held here a LRU. Supposed to be all kinds of displays, aircraft, astronauts,
etc. here. Sounds cool. Other than that October is open for us.
Don
 
why not go for the weekend of Aug 13th so the Doc can make it?
 
Michael said:
why not go for the weekend of Aug 13th so the Doc can make it?
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Yeah. The monsoons would make for some interesting landings!

1, 3, 2, .4 ;)

(just kidding, they usually start later in the day and are VERY easy to see coming)
 
Michael said:
why not go for the weekend of Aug 13th so the Doc can make it?
Click to expand...

I thought about that as well, gonna be kinda warm still, but its a dry heat ;)
What ever the group decides, would love to meet the doc.
Don
 
Hell - I'll go for Aug 13th. That's just before I go back to school, so it should work. That's not very far away tho.
 
Are we talking Sat and Sun? I have an angel flight on Aug 13, but might be able to make it on Sunday.
 
jkaduk said:
Are we talking Sat and Sun? I have an angel flight on Aug 13, but might be able to make it on Sunday.
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Sedona is not a particularly inexpensive place to stay. I had the impression this was a day trip type thing.
 
Damn. I have the Colorado Pilot's Assoc. mountain flying course on August 13.
 
And I'll be here. http://www.familyflyin.net/

And it's a little far for a day trip. If we are trying for a Gaston's type experience I'm not sure Sedona is the place. They don't exactly cater to fly bys, aerobatics, flight seeing. Gaston's appeal to me was the perceived casual, flying atmosphere. Most of my fly ins, the destinatio is the objective. Gaston's seemed like flying and airplanes was the objective. My .02, not that I wouldn't join in at Sedona
 
Well, aside from Dr. B's presence in the area, AZ has little going for it in mid-August. If a Gaston's-like experience is desired, Sedona is interesting but a little busy for that kind of relaxed flying.
 
Don Jones said:
How about other ideas, what ever the group decides will be fun.
If not Sedona where? When? Name the place.
Don
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Not as scenic, but if lot of room to do "whatever" CHEMEHUEVI VALLEY, CA is a nice spot. Located on the california side of Lake Havasu. It is a strip that is pretty much abandoned. Used by locals to practice touch n goes, etc. There is a casino not too far away which has transportation.

I think Sedona is a great destination, this is in no way going to be another gastons. But a great flyin destination with awsome food and views.

Michael
 
If you're looking for a more central place to do an overnighter, perhaps somewhere up in Utah or Colorado might be more appropriate? It would be more central to folks in the Northwest.

Edit: or northern Nevada? Reno area? RACE TIME??
 
Brian Austin said:
If you're looking for a more central place to do an overnighter, perhaps somewhere up in Utah or Colorado might be more appropriate? It would be more central to folks in the Northwest.

Edit: or northern Nevada? Reno area? RACE TIME??
Click to expand...


Ding, ding, ding. Aaoooogaa. Folks, we have a winner. I've been biting my lip for these last several days waiting for one of ya to suggest Reno. There is a strong effort to make this year's Air Race to be the biggest Mustang Roundup. It's being billed as the most mustangs in one place since the war.

However, at this late date rooms will NOT be available.
 
Richard said:
Aaoooogaa.
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That's the first time I've actually seen that word in print. Interesting.

Richard said:
However, at this late date rooms will NOT be available.
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Camp. Heck, I'd tow the fifth wheel up there instead of flying. Sleeps six (they better like each other), shower, etc..
 
Brian Austin said:
That's the first time I've actually seen that word in print. Interesting.


Camp. Heck, I'd tow the fifth wheel up there instead of flying. Sleeps six (they better like each other), shower, etc..
Click to expand...

I could bring my Motorhome too, if you want to caravan. again, sleeps 6...but I would require my own bed :)

Michael
 
Brian Austin said:
That's the first time I've actually seen that word in print. Interesting.


Camp. Heck, I'd tow the fifth wheel up there instead of flying. Sleeps six (they better like each other), shower, etc..
Click to expand...
Agree SEZ is not an overnighter. It's more of a lunch gathering. But 5000 MSL in the summer is nice and dry, if not relatively cool. That Saturday works for me on a LONG trip back east. But if you're looking for an overnighter with a strip maybe we're thinking more like Johnson Creek ID...just I can't imagine taking a PA34 into there.
 
The Aug 13/14 weekend is looking good for me. I'm game for CA/AZ/NV/UT maybe NM.

It'd be great to meet ya'all!

Jeff
 
Ok - here's my thought process. We're not gonna duplicate the Gastons experience, because we're not going back to Gastons. (are we??)

Sedona is supposed to be a cool airport in a cool place with stuff to do. I'm thinking we make the decision now, so we have time to prepare. I say Sedona, August 13th and 14th. Be there, or be square!
 
Works for me. Will probably just get to do the Saturday and Sat. evening thing, depart early Sunday to pick up the wife in Southern California. At least that is my plan for now.
Don
 
Shucks. Can't do it that weekend. I'll just be getting back from a trip and getting ready to go on another. Plus it's just a tad far.

Judy
 
Barring some un forseen problem I will be there Nick

Mark
 
How about a show of hands, who is going? Time is getting short and I
am planning this into my trip back to So. California to get the wife.
Don
 
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