May/June 2005

Get Ready for Summer!

Summer is just around the corner, and that means warmer weather and longer days filled with more opportunities for flying. Water and the beach are often associated with summer, and this issue has some different beaches from white sand ocean beaches in the Florida Keys to secluded lakeside beaches in Idaho. Of course, if the beach is not your thing, we also have thoroughbred racing in New York, an outdoorsman’s paradise in Wisconsin, and a golf course in California that you can taxi right up to. Enjoy!

Priest Lake, Idaho

Just south of the Canadian border, set in an evergreen forest, there is a crystal blue lake known as Idaho’s Crown Jewel. Luckily for us pilots, Priest Lake is serviced by two airstrips, one seaplane base, and ample seaplane landing spots. Another lucky feature is that three featured resorts at different corners of the lake cater to pilots. Accommodations range from lakefront cabins to camping under your wing at the Cavanaugh Bay airstrip. The activities are just as varied: from watersports to fishing and mountain biking to even mushroom picking. When flying to Priest Lake, the view alone is more than reason enough to visit this top-of-the-world paradise. Add first-class lodgings, gourmet meals, and more activities than you can sample in the course of three entire vacations, and you won’t be able to stop talking about it.

Ashland, Wisconsin

Historic charm and the clean, clear waters of Lake Superior attract travelers to Ashland, in Wisconsin’s North Country. One of the first things you’ll see when flying over town is an enormous, 2,500-ft. pier sticking into the lake, followed by the FBO building at the airport that is a rustic log cabin, and the streets in town that are lined with brownstone buildings. All of these point to an interesting history of a bustling, rough-and-tumble mining and lumbering town that has transformed itself into a tourist destination, filled with outdoor activities, historical walking tours, and even theatre.

Marathon, Florida

Approximately 800 islands and reefs make up the Florida Keys. Marathon is at the midpoint, and its white sand beaches welcome sunbathers, swimmers, and snorkelers, while shipwrecks and a living coral reef attract scuba divers. Anglers enjoy world-class fishing in the deep ocean and shallow backcountry flats, and kayakers explore the mangrove forests along the shore. So slow down a bit and enjoy the heart of the Keys.

Oroville, California

The gold that was mined here around the time of the California Gold Rush gave rise to Oroville’s name, which means “City of Gold.” Today, you can prospect for different “gold.” The town of Oroville has historic sites, museums, and shopping to fill your day, or if you prefer more activity, you can head to Lake Oroville. There you can swim, fish, and rent boats, and even spend your night in an original way: on a floating campsite. Another item that’s unique here is the golf course that’s just a chipshot from the airport fence; it even has a taxiway leading directly to it.

Saratoga Springs, New York

For more than two centuries, the name “Sarataoga” has attached itself to a wide range of Americana: watershed battle of the American Revolution, grand old thoroughbred racetrack, artists' haven, and Gilded Age playground for the wealthy and powerful. The town embraces the memory of its 19th-century glory years and has successfully transported a bit of that age into the 21st century. That successful connection with the past is what makes the present so intriguing.

Palacios, Texas

Palacios is known as the Shrimp Capital of Texas, and owners Cheryl and Wayne Dodd have based their Outrigger Restaurant there. The restaurant serves up to 150 lbs. of shrimp weekly, and these are not your average, run-of-the-mill shrimp. Simply put, the Outrigger is one of the best places to dine on succulent shrimp.

Choosing a Propeller

Many pilots are unaware of the dramatic improvement a new propeller can provide. Recent developments in propeller design have resulted in increased speed and efficiency, less weight, and more thrust for take-off and climb. New materials also reduce vibration and provide longer life. Choosing a new propeller can be somewhat confusing and difficult, but author Larry Schlasinger shows us what to look for in a new propeller. After reading this article, you may soon have a more efficient propeller on your airplane.

Iridium Spark Plugs – Foul Thoughts on Fine Topics

Even if you are not a dirty-fingernails type, there is a simple but significant change you can make to your airplane that will bring multiple benefits to your flying: purchase and install a set of fine wire iridium spark plugs. Standard spark plugs can degrade and become unusable after 200-400 hours, whereas a fine-wire plug uses more durable exotic metals and can last for more than 2,000 hours. You might agree with author Greg Illes that they're one of the best investments you've made on your airplane.