Valdez Fly-In

[bigrenna]

Anyone here planning on going to the Valdez Fly-In in May?

http://valdezflyin.com/

[KG]

It is very possible that I will make it. I went last year for the first time and enjoyed it. I probably won't be able to firm up my plans till late April though.

[KG]

They have a lot of snow that will need to melt if they intend to have camping under the wings....

http://www.adn.com/2012/02/29/2344727/valdez-snow-pile-estimates-at.html#storylink=misearch

[bigrenna]

I know... Insane!

But what the hell. Should be fun up there regardless!

[KG]

We stayed in a bed and breakfast last year and there was another 170 Assn. member in the same place. He flew over from Anchorage in his 170... we drove our car and took the ferry from Whittier. The weather was nice for the ferry ride and that is a nice trip in itself. Nice to have the car available in Valdez too.... we spent one afternoon driving up the highway ... there is some spectacular scenery out there.

I had a good time last year. It's pretty cool to see airplanes taking off and landing in 30 feet. Even 170s were taking off in less than 100 ft.

Last year I ran into an old friend who was there by himself so we hung out together. He's a pretty interesting character... he's flown small airplanes from Alaska to the lower 48 (or the other way) more than 70 times!! Of course, he's been doing it for 50 years.

I'm sure there were other Assn. members there but I just don't know them or didn't run into them.

Are you planning to go this year?

I'll let you know when I firm up my plans. Maybe I'll see you there.
Keith

[bigrenna]

Yes... I fly into ANC on thurs. Will be doing some training on thurs/fri, then driving down to Valdez for Fri eve and all day sat.

[BeeMan]

I flew over last year and will probably go again if the weather cooperates. You do know that it is about a 6 to 7 hour drive from Anchorage, don't you?

[bigrenna]

I do. I've done it a couple of times. Should be a fun drive.

[ak2711c]

I'm planning on going again. Last year was my first time. I flew my plane over early then flew home comercially to pick up the family and a rental motorhome and drove over. Afterward I drove them back and then a buddy flew me back to get the plane. That was a fun way of doing it ......once. It was really expensive and a lot of driving with 4 kids cooped up in a confined space. If the weather permits I may just make a couple trips with the plane to get everyone over this year, if not we may try the ferry. Its was really great to get to meet new people and check out their pride and joy. Its hard to beat the quality of people you typically find in the flying community. Hope to get to meet some of you guys there this year.
Shawn

[blueldr]

Shawn,

You could really use that 88 inch prop that I offered on the trademart forum.

[ak2711c]

Dick, that would be fun to try out. I'm all for taking a grey area if needed but I'm afraid that prop would be like putting a neon sign on my plane begging for a thorough ramp check. The onsite FAA reps are usually pretty reasonable but I don't want to push my luck. Now if you were there to defend me and tell them how it is, I might give it a try.
Shawn

[ak2711c]

Well I guess I am glutton for punishment. I decided to rent a motorhome again this year so the whole family could go. On that note though, if any of you guys are thinking of doing somthing similar ABC Motorhome rental in Anchorage has an amazing deal going right now. From April 20th thru May 20th you can rent ANY motorhome in their fleet for $99/night with unlimited mileage, generator, and all the bells and whistles. The hotel room in Valdez was more than that. I couldn't pass it up.
I just put my wheels back on the other day. Now its time to start practicing.
Shawn

[bigrenna]

Interesting... I was going to rent a car and hotel it, but the RV might be a much better idea!

Greg-

[ak2711c]

I thought so too. Especially since you don't have to eat out.
Shawn

[bigrenna]

Getting close... Im following Shawn's lead and have rented an RV. Flying into ANC on Thurs, bumming around for a day, then heading down to make Valdez by Fri eve.

Hope to meet up with some of you there!

Greg-