Summer 2003

Let this Summer Bring Out the Barnstormer in You!

This is the year to honor the Centennial of Flight, and Pilot Getaways is dedicated to helping you celebrate. In July, the annual Northwest EAA Fly-in at Arlington, Washington, attracts hundreds of aircraft from ultralights to warbirds. Whether you fly to our featured destinations on the plains of Nebraska, in the heat of Arizona, in the New Mexico mountains, or along New York’s Hudson River, take a moment to remember the daring aviators who made it all possible!

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, New York

Every weekend brings a spectacle of aviation history at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Dutchess County, New York. This is as close to an early 1900’s airfield as you can get. Wooden hangars, vintage automobiles, antique aircraft, and cheering spectators in period costume will take your right back to the barnstorming days. Author Greg Illes will convince you that even if old airplanes aren’t your thing, this flying circus is a sight well worth experiencing.

Lake Havasu, Arizona

In Lake Havasu City, the searing heat and beauty of the Arizona desert permeate a modern lakeside lifestyle. Sand-swept dunes and massive rock formations punctuate the landscape all around, giving a desert backdrop to a sapphire-blue lake. You’ll find a fun-loving and heat-seeking community here, with most activities centering on Lake Havasu or the Colorado River. You’ll also find a relic of England, the 140-year old London Bridge, shipped here and reassembled to serve as the city’s focal point. Follow the crowd to enjoy the desert sunset here this summer.

Punta San Francisquito, Baja California, Mexico

The east coast of Baja is dotted with fishing camps where gringos from the north go for a weekend of fishing and relaxation. Punta San Francisquito is 290 miles southeast of the U.S. border on the east coast of the Baja peninsula. One of your first impressions flying over will be the stark contrast between arid landscape and the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. If you’re looking for a great place to sit back with a cerveza, take a boat trip, or sleep on the beach under the stars, Punta San Francisquito is the place.

Arlington, Washington

Hosting the third largest fly-in in America comes naturally to the Northwest city of Arlington. The city’s long-term love affair with open skies is evident in the spirit of celebration and community that accompanies the Northwest EAA fly-in. Keep in mind you don’t have to limit your wanderings to the airshows and exhibits. Our article shares the fun events of the Fly-In, but also tells you why Arlington is a welcoming place for pilots, no matter which weekend you pick to visit.

Taos, New Mexico

You can’t help but be taken in by the Southwest vistas, artistic culture, and outdoor adventures available at Taos. From sipping tea in an adobe to riding Class IV rapids in the Taos Box, this will be a trip you won’t soon forget. Explore great shopping opportunities at the Plaza on foot, or rent a car to discover the beauty of the mountains surrounding Taos. No matter what the length of your stay, our feature article supplies the details you need to enjoy this land of legends and landmarks.

Gaston’s White River Resort, Arkansas

Known as one of the leading trout fishing resorts in the Ozarks, Gaston’s offers lodging, dining, and activities right next to your tiedown on its 3,200-ft. grass strip. Rise at 7:30 for a misty morning guided float trip, or head out fly fishing on your own… a 20-foot Johnboat is included with your stay. You’ll also find tennis, swimming, and great hiking not far from your cabin. Gaston’s is a fisherman’s paradise any time of year.

Minden, Nebraska

Discover a fine little airport near a magnificent portal into American pioneer history. Minden is roughly in the geographic center of the United States. Land at Pioneer Village Field Airport and you’re only one mile from entrepreneur Harold Warp’s 20-acre collection of Americana, with a Pony Express station, town courthouse, prairie-settlers sod house, and buildings full of antiques. This is a quiet, unpretentious destination that will amaze just about anyone, but is a must-see for history enthusiasts.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a Southern city of large oak trees, expansive lawns, sweltering summer days, and gracious townsfolk. It is also particularly convenient for pilots, as most of its sights are concentrated in a few-block area along the riverfront. Author Kimberly Button’s article leads you down Savannah’s cobblestone streets to excellent dining and lodging choices, and suggests entertainment such as a riverboat ride and tour of nearby Fort Pulaski.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati’s rolling topography has kept its Lunken Field airport small and cozy, as there simply wasn’t room to expand operations. Fly here to enjoy a meal at the Sky Galley restaurant, so named because this was the birthplace of American Airlines in the 1940’s. Watch a ballgame in the lounge, take a seat at the bar, dine by the window, or sit outside on the patio, just steps from the taxiway. The flavor of a home-cooked, all-American meal will fuel you up for the trip home.

High Valley Airpark, Georgia

Hidden away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, High Valley is the highest airport in Georgia. Touring motorcyclists have known about this mountain stopover for years, but it has remained a secret among pilots, partly due to its designation as “private” on the sectional chart. You’d be hard-pressed find a more hospitable place or a more picturesque spot to land. Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest, rolling hillsides, and gently flowing streams, this airstrip is a discovery that won’t remain a secret for long.

Thunderstorms - Sharing Airspace with the Big Boomers

Like a femme fatale in an action movie, thunderstorms are lovely to look at, unpredictable, and menacing all at the same time. We’ll take you beyond the age-old conventional wisdoms of flying in storm conditions and give you tips for judging the power of these beasts and circumnavigating them safely.