This eFLYER was developed in HTML for viewing with Microsoft Internet Explorer while connected to the Internet: View Online.
To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add eFLYER@barnstormers.com to your address book or list of approved senders.
Barnstormers Logo

ISSUE 292 - October 2013
Over 9,000 Total Ads Listed
1,000+ NEW Ads Per Week

  Home     Browse All Classifieds     eFLYERs     Events     Testimonials     Post Ad     Search Ads  
BARNSTORMERS eFLYER... a collective effort of the aviation community.
YOUR photos, videos, comments, reports, stories, and more...
Click to Subscribe
SEND BARNSTORMERS eFLYER TO A FRIEND
California Flying - Part II

By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Watford, Ontario, Canada

When flying over California, in most areas, you'll see many things, including dozens of airports, large and small. This one, commonly referred to as Victorville, is Southern California Logistics (KVCV), and has a massive maintenance & repair facility for all types of aircraft.

Last week we started our California Flying trip at South County Airport (E16) and headed to Palm Springs Airport (KPSP) and then north to Nevada County Air Park (KGOO). We'll continue with the trip and check out what other sights and views you can find on your own trip!

Enjoying the flight between Alta Sierra and Truckee (KTRK) while getting some shots of the most beautiful Rutan Long EZ around with the beautiful Sierra Mountains for a backdrop, left, and a slightly smoky blue sky, right.

From there we headed, in very loose and probably odd looking formation, to Truckee for lunch. Odd? Yes, a Cessna 182 and a Rutan Long EZ. It was a gorgeous, if not very bumpy, flight over the mountains and into Truckee Airport (KTRK). At an altitude of just under 6000', on a warm day, altitude density comes into play so be aware and take care!

Truckee can accommodate a variety of sizes of aircraft such as this gorgeous
Gulfstream, left. On the way to Visalia another change in landscape, right.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch in the airport restaurant, the Runway Cafe, and then we parted ways and headed for Visalia Airport (KVIS), another wonderful airport near the base of the Sierras. The airplane was parked, tied down, checked over and then we grabbed a rental car and headed for the hotel.

A visit to Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park is a must, with a stop at the General Grant sequoia, left. The view of the granite monolith, Moro Rock, is a sight to see, right.

After a restful night sleep, we gave up the wings for wheels and made our way into the mountains to Sequoia National Park. If you've not had the opportunity to see this fabulous area of California and the spectacular sequoia trees, it's a recommended sight to see. These towering trees, some looking much like the trees you see in the movie Avatar, are massive to the point where photos just don't do them justice. Make the trip yourself and you'll understand just how magnificent they really are!

One of the first aircraft you'll see upon arrival at the museum grounds is the SR-71 Blackbird, left. Probably one of the most beautiful bombers ever built, the RAF Avro Vulcan, right.

The following day we gave back the wheels and switched to wings, packed up the 182, and headed for Castle Airport (KMER) in Merced County, Atwater, California. This former USAF Strategic Air Command Base, with a runway almost 12,000' in length, is almost wide enough to land some light airplanes on and can be a little intimidating for both the novice AND experienced pilot. There is plenty of parking and leaving the airplane there for the day in order to take a tour of Castle Air Museum, which is a must, is not a problem.

At its time, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker, right, was the largest bomber ever built. The Canadian designed and built CF-100 Avro Canuck, the first straight winged fighter to break the sound barrier, left.

The Castle Air Museum is definitely worth the visit and includes aircraft from the fastest in the world with the SR-71 to some of the largest from varying periods in aviation such as the B-29 and B-36. There are also unusual aircraft such as the WB-50D and the Boeing Stratofreighter. Though mostly a museum housing US aircraft, you'll even find the odd non-US built aircraft such as the Canadian designed and built CF-100 Avro Canuck and the de Havilland of Canada DHC-2 (UA-2) Beaver.

In the historic gold town at Columbia, the old fire hall, or "Engine Company," left,
and the Wells Fargo office, right.

With only a few days left with the airplane we left Castle the same day and made for San Martin and South County Airport, our 'home' base. That was not the end of flying as, the next morning, we headed back to "4-6 Alpha" bound for Columbia Airport (O22) for a day trip and a visit to the old historic gold mining town located within the village of Columbia. Walk the town, take in the history, even pan for gold. The historic gold town is a 10-15 minute walk from the airport and a bottle of water is required.

There are hundreds of reservoirs throughout California such as this one, left. Water flows from reservoirs through miles of viaducts taking water to millions of Californians, right.

That evening it was back to South County to park the airplane for the night and a feast at Famous Dave's BBQ in Gilroy, CA. After a big meal and a beverage or two, we headed for the hotel for some much needed shut-eye before our final flight the next day.

A stop at Livermore Airport (KLVK), left, to pick up a friend and then
on to Harris Ranch (308) for lunch, right.

Up early and at the airport we packed a few things in the airplane for the day and headed for Livermore (KLVK), east of San Fran, to pick up a friend from our first trip in 2010, and then headed south to enjoy lunch at Harris Ranch (308). There's fuel and tie downs available and the walk to the restaurant will have you frothing at the mouth in anticipation! If you've never dropped in to Harris Ranch you're missing out on a fabulous meal.

Though seemingly dry and desolate, the landscape still holds much beauty, left.
Near Harris Ranch was this massive beef farm, right.

All-in-all, about 17.5 hours were put on the airplane over roughly 8 days of flying. We saw more of California than most would see over years of road travel and from a view that most never have the opportunity to see. There's something to be said for a flying holiday and it's not as expensive as one might think. It's also an opportunity to do something many never think about doing.

After the flying is done, maybe you'll have saved a couple of days for
some road trips, such as a drive along the California coast.

If the idea of doing a flying holiday interests or excites you, spend some time doing some research and asking questions. Check out flying clubs in the region you're considering doing your trip, research attractions, hotels, car rentals and, if you're up to it, camp sites. You'll have your own great "California Flying" holiday you'll not soon forget!

Find a suitable club, such as Magnum Aviation, to rent from
and you'll have a great experience!

Magnum Aviation: magnumaviation.com

If you are in Southern California, specifically Palm Springs,
make sure you visit the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Palm Springs Air Museum: palmspringsairmuseum.org

Make a point of seeing the huge outdoor display at the
Castle Air Force Museum and you'll see aircraft like the F-104B Starfighter.

Castle Air Museum: castleairmuseum.org

Enjoy a walk around the historic gold town in the heart of Columbia, California.

Columbia Historic Gold Town: visitcolumbiacalifornia.com

The breathtaking view from a lookout over part of the Sequoia National Forest.

Sequoia National Forest: fs.usda.gov/sequoia/

By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
thestickandrudder@execulink.com

Return to eFLYER

 
Visit www.barnstormers.com - post an ad to be viewed by nearly 1,000,000 visitors per month.
Over 16 years bringing more online buyers and sellers together than any other aviation marketplace.
Don't just advertise. Get RESULTS with Barnstormers.com. Check out the Testimonials
Copyright © 2007-2013 All rights reserved.
UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS: If you no longer wish to receive this eFLYER, unsubscribe here or mail a written request to the attention of: eFLYER Editor BARNSTORMERS, INC. 312 West Fourth Street, Carson City, NV 89703. NOTE: If you registered for one or more hangar accounts on barnstormers.com, you must opt out of all of them so the eFLYER mailings will be fully discontinued.