BACFest 2014 - Planning

jkrane

jkrane

Level Cruise
Please click the following link for up-to-date information on BACFest 2014:
https://vbl.beechaeroclub.org/showthread.php/9661-BACFest-2014-Planning?p=67109&viewfull=1#post67109

Hope everyone is having a great winter and managing to get up in the blue stuff (or grey stuff) safely and have some fun. Today is a great planning day weather-wise, so I am going to make this post so we all can start thinking about the activities we are interested in while here. Some particulars that I have nailed down so far:


  • BACFest 2014 is in Portland, Oregon from September 17th - 21st.

While this doesn't sound like a lot and may provide a chuckle for a few, I am very diligent in this matter and Monday this coming week (Jan. 13th) I will have met with a hotel manager and also stopped in at the FBO I am considering. One thing I do know is that the hotel will be in proximity to the airport and transportation will not be a challenge. It would be nice to get a preliminary headcount of people attending on which days and who will be making the flight in their own planes out here. I can guarantee it will be a flight of a lifetime with just the scenery alone.

Here is what I would like from the membership: an idea of what activity genre we want to focus on, obviously aviation, but there is so much out here that we can explore other fun things. Tom Corcoran had a great idea to go on a cruise, that time of year is a great time to do this, maybe we could plan a BAC cruise?

Here is a list of ideas:


  • BACruise2014
  • Hiking
  • Food Tours
  • Wine Tours
  • Beer Tours
  • Aviation Museum Tours (Yes there are 4 in the area)
  • Cycling
  • Mounting Biking
  • Camping
  • Sightseeing (Coast, Whale watching, Seals, "Beach")
  • Shopping
  • Arts and the Museums
  • Farmer's Markets

I think that these should be a good start. I am going to work diligently to have FBO, Airport and Hotel secured by the end-of-month.

I am very excited about this and everyone should look forward to having a great time out here!

Best Regards,

Jon
 
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Jon:
As Prez, I plan to be there all days. Flying in commercial
For me: Beer tour, Aviation Museum(s), Sightsee, and I always attend a safety-related or maintenance event if offered
If Charlotte can make it: Wine tour, Sightsee, Shopping, Art, Farmer's Mkt. (probably not in order of pref)

Rap
 
Jon
I am planning to attend (as long as there are no objections!) - flying 88Q - and likely will have my own accomodations.
But you have picked the best of the NorthWest, and I am sure it will be a great success.
Beer tours of course. Some of the best in the world right there in our airspace! Awesome.
HIO? TTD? VUO? Which way are you leaning?
 
Thom,

After considering ground transportation and logistics, and the fact that most will be flying commercially into PDX, I decided to use the FBO at PDX. It will be easier for everyone to get around and I found out there are no landing fees for planes under 10k pounds. More particulars on the FBO later, but PDX is the airport.
 
After considering ground transportation and logistics, and the fact that most will be flying commercially into PDX, I decided to use the FBO at PDX.
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Awesome. Great crew on the tower and approach/dep freqs, a very friendly airport for a class charlie. Easy in if the winds aren't howling. Should be OK in Sept.
Looking forward to a great time!

If you are using Atlantic (FBO) I seem to remember a $10 landing fee, maybe it's no more. Then there is Flightcraft. Great guys there.
 
Thom,

This maybe something new, but Flightcraft is Atlantic Aviation. Only one FBO at PDX. Imagine, all the East coast members gotta come all the way to the West coast to goto Atlantic Aviation.

Jon
 
Imagine, all the East coast members gotta come all the way to the West coast
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I can see a logistical problem for those flying commercial from the right coast if it were located elswhere..... but until you have a ballpark number of those doing so - I tend to agree with Chris that the security issues (even the much loved hanging out at the ramp and checking out the other planes) are worth consideration. I'd bet that number will be small. But who knows?!!?

I see the possibility that the east coasters being few could easily be handled by either air shuttle (us) or ground transport (us) rather easily from either HIO or TTD. And the ease of approach and such for those flying private will be MUCH less intimidating and complex.

I like HIO due to the friendliness (last visit) of the staff as well as a more laid back less security focused field. Maybe that has changed. But this is completely your call. I can't even remember the hotel/lodging possibilities at HIO. At PDX we stay at the Shilo at the airport.

The Portland area is a great choice for BACFest, and no matter what you arrange - it WILL be a success!

Traffic, Security concerns and other issues should be considered for the MAJORITY of attendeess ..... and without a roll call of sorts- planning this far out is - indeed - difficult. And really, your choice of attractions (restaurants, BREWPUBS, etc) will likely carry more weight than anything else.

Planning any fly-in for the NW region has always been a challenge (BTW: did you show up at BeechDay in Kennewick in 2007?)- but BACFest! - whew! I give you kudos! Hope I can help.

You might try to stir some interest and response by creating an article on the homepage (lots of pictures etc) with your ideas and request for numbers. Hype it up! It is the biggest BAC event of the year! (no pressure)

Heck - I just noticed you were at Twin Oaks- THAT could even be a nice location! Camping on the field is always a plus.
Just a thought
 
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ThomSmith said:
I can see a logistical problem for those flying commercial from the right coast if it were located elswhere..... but until you have a ballpark number of those doing so - I tend to agree with Chris that the security issues (even the much loved hanging out at the ramp and checking out the other planes) are worth consideration. I'd bet that number will be small. But who knows?!!?
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I spoke with Atlantic FBO, they are EXTREMELY friendly just as you said, and also accommodating. Hanging out with our planes will not be a problem, if Marty is able to make it up with his planes, I will be taking pictures :-).




ThomSmith said:
I see the possibility that the east coasters being few could easily be handled by either air shuttle (us) or ground transport (us) rather easily from either HIO or TTD. And the ease of approach and such for those flying private will be MUCH less intimidating and complex.
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It's true that PDX is an international airport in Class C, but I do not think the complexty would be any greater than approaching Arlington Fly-in.


ThomSmith said:
I like HIO due to the friendliness (last visit) of the staff as well as a more laid back less security focused field. Maybe that has changed. But this is completely your call. I can't even remember the hotel/lodging possibilities at HIO. At PDX we stay at the Shilo at the airport.
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There is lodging, but it is a few miles away from the field, and reaching the light rail will be a little more challenging, staying closer to PDX airport, the shuttle services will drop us at the light rail.


ThomSmith said:
The Portland area is a great choice for BACFest, and no matter what you arrange - it WILL be a success!
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Thank you, I'm excited about putting this on, it will be great!


ThomSmith said:
Traffic, Security concerns and other issues should be considered for the MAJORITY of attendeess ..... and without a roll call of sorts- planning this far out is - indeed - difficult. And really, your choice of attractions (restaurants, BREWPUBS, etc) will likely carry more weight than anything else.
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I am going to post a tentative itinerary soon, any members that want to chime in on the items I listed, please do so, as it will have weight in my planning. So far I see a lot of brewpub, Portland has some of the best!


ThomSmith said:
Planning any fly-in for the NW region has always been a challenge (BTW: did you show up at BeechDay in Kennewick in 2007?)- but BACFest! - whew! I give you kudos! Hope I can help.
Click to expand...


Weather and our geography can be a challenge, this week in September can be some of the best weather in the country!


ThomSmith said:
You might try to stir some interest and response by creating an article on the homepage (lots of pictures etc) with your ideas and request for numbers. Hype it up! It is the biggest BAC event of the year! (no pressure)
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Yes, I will post a tentative itinerary soon :-)


ThomSmith said:
Heck - I just noticed you were at Twin Oaks- THAT could even be a nice location! Camping on the field is always a plus.
Just a thought
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It's been a while since I have seen campers at the airport. I would call ahead and find out about it, it would make getting to downtown activities a bit of a hassle.
 
Nice Jon, I am excited to see BAC FEST 2014 coming along. We were able to get everyone into Norfolk ,Va (class C) with no problem .That should make it easier for our Canadian members to get in also with customs It was fun listening to SKY Slicer (aka Tom C) circling the tunnel last year .Hotel for under $100 a night :). We have quite a few of our West coasters that haven't chimed in yet. I am looking forward to Portland and meeting some new faces and old friends . It looks like I will need to do an oil change before I go .Sorry, I mean an A&P will need to . Hopefully some of the North West region can reach out and be of assistance to our new Region Director. I think this is the Northwest regions time to shine.

JP
 
JOHNNYXRAY said:
Nice Jon, I am excited to see BAC FEST 2014 coming along. We were able to get everyone into Norfolk ,Va (class C) with no problem .That should make it easier for our Canadian members to get in also with customs It was fun listening to SKY Slicer (aka Tom C) circling the tunnel last year .Hotel for under $100 a night :). We have quite a few of our West coasters that haven't chimed in yet. I am looking forward to Portland and meeting some new faces and old friends . It looks like I will need to do an oil change before I go .Sorry, I mean an A&P will need to . Hopefully some of the North West region can reach out and be of assistance to our new Region Director. I think this is the Northwest regions time to shine.

JP
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There's only one BAC member who believes you need an A&P to do your oil change. All the rest of the world KNOWS it's owner preventive maintenance.
 
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Fellow Members and Guests,

See the following post for the latest 2014 BACFest information:

https://vbl.beechaeroclub.org/showthread.php/9661-BACFest-2014-Planning?p=67109&viewfull=1#post67109

PDX-Hood.jpg


I am compiling a tentative itinerary and posting below what I have come up with so far. Do note it is difficult because there is so much to see in here; especially aviation related. I want to make the schedule do-able for both people who are flying in with their plane and would like to fly to other destination once they are here and also for those who are coming in commercially. For those arriving early to take in more, http://traveloregon.com/ and http://www.travelportland.com/things-to-do/ are great places to start your search.

I have chosen to use the Holiday Inn at PDX (http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/portland/pdxap/hoteldetail), I got a group rate for rooms at $99 per night per room! The hotel has just finished $7 million dollars in renovations, has proper meeting and banquet rooms, a full bar, heated swimming pool and the food is good. The location is central to the Portland area and the hotel will provide shuttle services to/from the FBO -- Atlantic Aviation (https://www.atlanticaviation.com/location/PDX), PDX airport, Cascade Station Shopping and the light rail system. I checked with Atlantic Aviation and they are happy to let us hang-out on the ramp, so no need to worry about being rushed off. PDX Airport is in Class C airspace and is not difficult to get in and out of for GA, if anyone needs assistance with this, we can get the particulars down in later discussions.

Wednesday

Afternoon
- Brewery Tour (http://www.travelportland.com/article/portland-breweries/)
- Pearl District Shopping (0% Tax ;))

Evening
- Dinner Out

Thursday

11AM
- Flight or Tour Bus to McMinnville
- McMinnville Evergreen Museum - Group Tour (http://evergreenmuseum.org/)
- Winery tours / Wine tasting for those interested (leave from hotel on tour bus -> McMinnville -> Tillamook -> hotel)

photo_4.JPG

(Here's my grandfather today at the helm of the Spruce Goose, Evergreen Aviation Museum - Yes you will be able to get up in the cockpit of this monstrosity!)

Afternoon
- Flight to Tillamook - this is on the coast
- Tillamook Museum (http://www.tillamookair.com/)
- Tillamook Dairy - Ice Cream (http://www.tillamook.com/)


Evening
- Group Reception (Hotel Bar)
- Dinner


Friday

9AM - 12PM
- Maintenance Program at FBO


1PM - 5PM
- Trip to Gorge - Hood River City (http://ci.hood-river.or.us/)
- Museum (http://www.waaamuseum.org/) - Can choose to fly here
- Gorge Hike / Walk - Waterfalls?
- Bonneville Dam


Evening 7PM - 10PM
- Group Reception (Hotel Bar)
- Dinner - Offsite Dinner?


Saturday

10AM
- Pearson Tour - http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cmo/page/pearson-field-airport



Noon - 3pm
- Annual BACFest Board meeting


6pm - 10pm
- BACFest Dinner & Awards
- Special Guest


Sunday
- Goodbye Brunch
- Depart



A the list Grows!! Folks chime in to RSVP!

Let's get excited, this will be a ton of fun!

Please see the following post for the latest:

https://vbl.beechaeroclub.org/showthread.php/9661-BACFest-2014-Planning?p=67109&viewfull=1#post67109
 

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I am planning to attend, hopefully with my wife. We area planning on being in Alaska a couple of wks before the BACFEST and are planning on just detouring to PDX for event then will head back home to Atlanta......Looking forward to coming.
fred
N222WG
 
You should add Tom and Margie Corcoran to the BACFest guest list.

We would be flying commercial from Boston.

We have never been to the Pacific Northwest so adding a few days or a week after BACFest for exploring would be right with us. Maybe we can organize a side trip for those that want to join us... rented van etc.

Fast Fred: What are the details on your Alaska trip?
 
I go once or twice a year---probably fly into Fairbanks-head to Chena Hot Springs for couple of days of floating in hot water , then take train down to talkeetna for breakfast , then onto Anchorage area for couple of days or so, then either the Ferry or Fly to Seattle and few days in the area and maybe side trip to Banff then down to Portland for BACFEST and fly out of eith SEA or PDX to ATL.
 
Tom--if you haven't been out to that area, Seattle is only 2 to 2 1/2 hr drive, Mt Rainer,seaside,etc........lots to see and do and lots of GREAT Seafood, as good as NorthEast-just different.
 
Tom, If you do get in the area of Seattle-Tacoma, take in the Boeing Museum of Flight in Everett, WA. It is another awesome aviation museum.
 
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