Chandler to Salome and Sedona
Spent a few days out at my brother’s airpark in Salome, AZ this week. Had one day and night of high winds and rain but rest of time was of Kitfox perfect weather.
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Got some airtime with DesertFox1 on Sunday. Stopped out to one of our old stomping grounds southwest of Chandler.
Hadn’t put wheels down here for several years. Did a flyby and got invited to stop in by the new owner. Originally called Big Tanks when our friends built it and lived here, however it now is called MoTown. Still feels wonderful to walk this ground again. We miss our friends Dale and Angie. This is sometimes where locals and the Flying Cowboys come for winter antics in February. Thanks Mo for the open invite to return anytime. I’ll abide by the rules for use of course. The mandatory low pass before landing.
(Below)MoTown official greeter. Thanks to thousands of L.E.D. lights, this fellow must look bright after sundown.
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Had a couple very nice aviating days out near Salome. My brother and myself put in some great hours picking out new landing spots in the desert. Land, shutdown and take in the remoteness and solitude for a bit, at least until two low level F-16s go ripping by at 450 knots, on the deck. No time to even pull the phone of my pocket to get a pic before they crest the ridge top to the south and disappear into military restricted airspace. Quite the fly by.
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One such spot.
Did a couple breakfast flights too. First one netted 15 aircraft from the airpark to Wayside Campground and Airport out by Alamo Lake. Last night was “movie night” hosted by one of the airpark residents in his hangar. I estimated 30 plus folks attended with fresh popcorn popped on site, various snacks were brought and shared and whatever favorite beverage each guest brought with.
Earlier in the day the ladies from the airpark put on a cookie exchange in the pilot/community building. Each baker brought 4 dozen of their favorite Christmas cookie and all involved would end up with a very large plate of assorted festive confections. Calories removed to retain useful load for all the pilots benefit of course. NOT! I helped my sister-in-law produce her ( really my brother’s favorite) cookies. Ritz crackers with peanut butter between the crackers dipped in melted sweet chocolate. I really wasn’t too much help with the exception of consuming the few that didn’t quite meet cookie exchange quality standards.
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Overflying Cottonwood at 10,250’ on way to Sedona after leaving Salome this morning. I can see my house, kinda. Smooth as glass flight from Salome to Sedona with tailwinds pushing me to 151 mph ground speeds past Prescott. No hangars available at Cottonwood so bought a hangar and fixed it up in Sedona and will soon be the new permanent home for my Kitfox. Saves an hour and 15 minute drive, one way, to get to my Kitfox. Now only 17 miles away instead of 84 miles driving to Deer valley Airport in Phoenix. Almost 23 years and all three of my Kitfox’ have been based out of Deer Valley. Will miss my friends there but should get more hours flying in now. Friends are cordially invited to visit me in Sedona. The scenery up here is second to none.
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Overtop of Sedona Airport approaching downwind for uphill runway 030. Looking North.
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Approach end of runway 030.
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Kitfox getting acquainted with it’s new home.
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