March/April 2009

Spring is here and if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to bring the plane out of hibernation. To really knock the rust off, don’t just fly the pattern, take a fun trip! We’ve got lots of adventures for you in this issue. We visit three famous amusement parks at both ends of the country. In between, we’ve got the first in a series covering airparks all over the country that introduces you to the idea of living with your plane (if you don’t already) and what type of airpark best fits your lifestyle.

Hayward, Wisconsin

Surrounded by multiple lakes and thick forests, Hayward, Wisconsin, is a giant playground for grown-ups, and a wonderful place to visit in spring. The surrounding lakes, rivers, and flowages are a fisherman’s paradise and loaded with feisty bass. The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum is here, too. Walk into the four-and-a-half-story-tall, half-city-block-long structure that looks like a muskellunge for a unique experience. The Hayward area is also known as the “Golf Capital of Wisconsin”, with more than 11 different courses within a 45-minute drive of town to suit every skill level and preference. Author Patricia Strutz takes you along for a stroll through Hayward’s recently revitalized downtown, with quirky shops, unique art galleries, and an array of dining choices. Active types will enjoy miles of hiking and biking trails that are lined with wildflowers and home to numerous bird species. You can make your home here in anything from a rustic cabin to a luxurious five-star resort to a cozy B & B tucked into the forest. As for dining, you’ve got the famous Midwestern beef, Norwegian specialties, barbeque, and much more to choose from. So point your plane toward Hayward!

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Who doesn’t love chocolate and amusement parks? The town of Hershey brings them both together, with the world’s largest chocolate manufacturing plant, and Hersheypark, a world-class amusement park with over 60 rides ranging from the tamest kiddie rides to the wildest coasters. Your Hersheypark ticket also includes admission to ZooAmerica, an 11-acre American wildlife park with over 200 North American animals. Author Heather Sable helps you navigate to nearby Reigle Field, just 15 minutes from all the fun. You’ll visit Chocolate World, where you tour an imaginary chocolate factory, beginning with a cocoa bean’s rainforest home, and ending with a sample of sweet chocolate. Hershey Gardens, with its Butterfly House, is a must for garden lovers. How about a chocolate spa? Yes, you can relax with a Chocolate Fondue Wrap, or many other exotic treatments. Not everything is chocolate—the Circular Dining Room in the Hotel Hershey is a fine-dining, AAA Four-Diamond restaurant with extensive wine list and wide array of seasonal delights on the dinner menu. You can also try Forebay, a sophisticated smokehouse. Stay at the Hotel Hershey and you’ll be dreaming “sweet” dreams!

Fullerton, California

Orange County is at the center of Southern California, and Fullerton Airport is your gateway to experience all it has to offer. Technical Editor Crista Worthy takes you on a tour through Disneyland, “the happiest place on Earth,” where anyone can get in free on their birthday in 2009. It really is a magic kingdom, which you can experience by night as well by staying in a luxurious and fun Disney hotel. And if the most famous amusement park in the world isn’t thrill enough, nearby Knott’s Berry Farm provides many more thrilling roller coasters, kiddie rides, Camp Snoopy, and a Wild West theme park. Curious adults will love the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, while the kids can play at the Discovery Science Center, a few blocks away. Old Towne Orange is filled with antique shops and restaurants, all in a setting that takes you back 50 years. You can golf, shop, and even worship at or just visit the world-famous Crystal Cathedral, home of television’s “Hour of Power.” The Napa Rose restaurant is a wine-lover’s dream, with a 17,000-bottle wine cellar and seasonal menu prepared in a huge open kitchen. There’s so much to do and see; you’ll be back again.

Portland, Oregon

Portland may very well be the ideal city. You have the skyscrapers, the business people, sophisticated shopping and dining, but nature hasn’t been pushed out. Green is everywhere; space has been left for parks, and trees and flowers seem ubiquitous. Two rivers flow through the city, mountains rise up in the distance, and the public transportation system is actually used. Editor-at-Large Erin Bosnjak takes you on a river cruise, with live entertainment and dining. Experience Portland’s Rose Festival this spring with rides, games, music, Navy and Coast Guard ship tours, and a parade. Such a cosmopolitan city has an excellent hotel selection, including Hotel Monaco, named one of Travel & Leisure’s “Top 500 Hotels in the World”. Dine beside a thundering waterfall at the Multnomah Falls Lodge, or survey the city from the 30th floor of the U.S. Bancorp Tower as you feast on Portland City Grill’s fresh crab or other delicacies. You’ll soon agree Portland knows how to do city life right!

Plane Sites – See which Airpark is Right for You

If you’ve ever given thought to living in an airpark, you’ll want to read this article, the first in a series by Senior Editor Stephanie Smith. You’ll learn the history of airparks and then be introduced to the wide array of various airparks in different settings, as diverse as the pilots who live in them. You’ll get tips on what to consider before purchasing and what to watch out for, as well as contact information for parks across the country. It’s a buyer’s market, so this just might be the time for you to take that next step.

Flying with an Infant or Small Child – A Little Planning for Your Little One

When author Michael Coyle and his wife Katie had their first child, they wondered how the baby might impact their flying. After doing mountains of research, the baby accompanied them in their plane when she was just six weeks of age. All went well due to excellent preparation, and now you can benefit as well when you read this article. You’ll learn how to protect a small child properly in the seat, what type of ear protection to use, and tips on altitude, food, and comfort, so you’ll be able to introduce little ones to the joy of flying.