BACFest 2022 - Palm Springs California

I am starting the flight planning for attending BACFest and had originally thought I would include a stop at Furnace Creek in Death Valley just to say that I had landed at the lowest elevation airport in North American.  Then after reading the the AFD I discovered this “extremely rough sfc. Potential for dmg to acft using this rwy. Rwy 15–33 up to 4 inch salt heave arnd rwy cracks. Could damage acft with wheel farings or cause a potential to blow out a tire”.  Reading more on the internet, the estimate to repair the runway is $3 million, and it isn’t in the national parks budget or will it be any time soon.  I am crossing that idea off the bucket list unless I talk to someone that has been there recently that will vouch for the condition.  Further reading and the future for Stove Pipe Wells airport is also in question.  With both gone landing in Death Valley National Park will no longer be a option.

It looks like I will be using the southern route.
 
For all you East of the Rockies, we are in monsoon season and it has been WET in the Southwest areas.  There have been floods in the Eastern California deserts too.  And a lot of airports have been affected. "When it rains, it pours", to repeat a phrase.  The easiest transition over the Rockies (when it's VFR) is to shoot though the pass East of ABQ.  Stay high as the terrain gets up there shortly after passing ABQ.  Continue to St. Johns as it's usually the cheapest gas in AZ.  Currently $5.95/gal for pumped gas.  Nice folks there too.  Continue to PHX but stay high there and over fly the Class B (9,000 ft.).  Approach won't talk to you if you're squawking 1200.  Pick up I-10 after you pass the Class B and drop down to a cool 6500 ft and follow it to KPSP.  I think you can  make it there lower, but the temps might not be the most comfortable. 
 
FREE LODGING AFTER BACFEST 2022 - - Colorado - - lots of room !!

For those heading back to the east (and everyone else), you are welcome to stay.  It will put a full day (or more) behind you, and the fall colors in the mountains will be spectacular.  We have three homes to share as needed:

Amen River House (coloradocabinrentals.com)

Fly into KANK.  My route will cross over the Divide down south, and then I head north.  Just 'cause I am wimpy.

You will be greeted at the airport by trumpet and welcome to stay one, or two, or more nights as you rest up for your eventual flight home.  Our homes are a 20 minute drive from the airport.  Just send an email to reserve a bedroom (we have 13) and we'll look forward to your arrival.

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Update for August 22, 2022:  We are 37 days to BAC Fest 2022!  Our thanks to those who have registered and answered the questions on attending the events. This is vital information that really helps with planning on meal count, transportation, etc. 

Our hotel block of rooms has five rooms unclaimed.  If you are still thinking about joining in the fun please know that the remaining rooms will be held through August 29th.  And, don't forget to register!

Here is the list of 33 attendees as of August 22, 2022:

Nelson Amen
Jack & Robin Becker
Charles & Jean Booton
Michael & Anne Dunlevie
John Foster
Peter & Leili Foster
Mark Gooderum
Gary & Beth Harper
Greg & Jane Johnson
Dan Jonas
Chris Kilgus
Jeff Knight
Jerry & Ruth Neild
Karen O’Loughlin
John Persinger
Robert Prange
John Redmon
Bill Siscoe
Robert & Kathleen Staab
David & Kelsie Stollery
Denis & Katheryn Weiser
Roy & Lourdes Whisenant
 
I registered for BAC Fest 2022 and booked at the Double Tree.  Looks like it will be a great event.  Many thanks Michael!

 

Doug Faucette

N60003 - C23
 

Announcements!


 

Doc, one of only two flying B-29 Superfortress's will be at BAC Fest 2022!  Okay, really, it will be on display next door to our FBO at the Palm Springs Air Museum on September 27 and 28.  If you haven't seen Doc up close and personal, here is your chance to actually see inside and even get a ride: B-29 Doc at BAC Fest

 

Golfers, while we are in the U.S. capital of "all things golf" are you interested in having a Beech Aero Golf event with other BAC golfers?  The onsite course will have a special rate of $45/round for us during our stay and they have rental clubs so you don't have to bring yours or worry about airline handling of your precious driver. 

Rental Clubs: $25 Standard Clubs or $75 Premium Clubs (Titleist)

 

Interested in a Scramble?  Respond here and if enough are ready to get your game on we'll make a plan!
 
 
 
Last-Chance.jpg
 

Our BAC Fest Palm Springs hotel room special rate expires Monday, August 29th. Register your room here: Reserve My Room! or call 1-844-543-9184 and mention you are with group code BC5”. (Bravo Charlie Five).
 
Looking forward to seeing old friends and new friends!
 
mdunlevie said

Announcements!



 


Doc, one of only two flying B-29 Superfortress's will be at BAC Fest 2022!  Okay, really, it will be on display next door to our FBO at the Palm Springs Air Museum on September 27 and 28.  If you haven't seen Doc up close and personal, here is your chance to actually see inside and even get a ride: B-29 Doc at BAC Fest


 


Golfers, while we are in the U.S. capital of "all things golf" are you interested in having a Beech Aero Golf event with other BAC golfers?  The onsite course will have a special rate of $45/round for us during our stay and they have rental clubs so you don't have to bring yours or worry about airline handling of your precious driver. 


Rental Clubs: $25 Standard Clubs or $75 Premium Clubs (Titleist)


 


Interested in a Scramble?  Respond here and if enough are ready to get your game on we'll make a plan!


  
The Palm Springs Air Museum also offers rides in several other aircraft (C-47, P-51, T-28, P-80). Details are on their web site. The C-47 is $125/person, with minimum of 5 (max 10), if anyone else would be interested?
 
September 7, 2022, we are 21 days to BAC Fest 2022.  Several international members are coming from across the pond and from the great north.  Some are flying BAC Style across the U.S..  Here are today's 41 attendees:


 
Nelson Amen – Texas (Bonanza)
Jack & Robin Becker – Washington
Charles & Jean Booton – Florida
Michael & Anne Dunlevie – Colorado
Kevin Eaton – Arizona (Other)
Doug & Marlene Faucette – Nevada (Sundowner)
John Foster – Oregon (Sierra)
Peter & Leili Foster – Ontario, Canada
Mark Gooderum – Minnesota
Stephen Gromack – New Mexico (Sundowner)
Gary & Beth Harper – Tennessee
Greg & Jane Johnson – Georgia
Dan Jonas – California
Chris Kilgus – California (Musketeer)
Jeff Knight – Alberta, Canada (Sierra)
Jerry & Ruth Neild – United Kingdom
Karen O’Loughlin – Oregon (Sierra)
John Persinger – Virginia
Robert Prange – Virginia (Musketeer)
John Redmon – Indianna (Sierra)
Rickmer Rover – Germany (Other)
Phil Sallee - California
Peter Schirrmeister – Germany (Other)
Bill Siscoe – Texas
Robert & Kathleen Staab – New Jersey
David & Kelsie Stollery – Oregon (Musketeer)
Martin Vanover – Arizona (Other)
Denis & Katheryn Weiser – Iowa (Sierra)
Roy & Lourdes Whisenant – California (Sundowner)
 
For those who want to put in a little more air time instead of golf or tennis, Phil has suggested these "Back by Noon" runs for your consideration:  Apple Valley (APV) as an additional desert run; Chiriaco Summit (L77) is another good one for a short trip and it is the home to the General Patton Museum.  It's a short walk from the field and the runway is in great condition.  There is also Spruce Aircraft just 30 minutes over in Corona (AJO) and their shuttle will come and fetch you with a call.  You can get that extra ballast in Spruce products to take home. [img title="Wink" alt="Wink" /]https://www.beechaeroclub.org/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif[/img]
 
 
 
I will be attending BAC Fest.  Will be flying there in my Sundowner.  Will there be a common spot for attendees to tie down? Does anyone know what the cost will be?  Atlantic at my home has many fees such as security fee, ramp fee will we be having these fees? Thanks for any info.
 
Stephen, yes because PSP has commercial flights (is this the first time BAC Fest has been held at a commercial service airport?) they do have fees, here's the skinny.

When you land tell ground (121.9) you are going to Atlantic.  You will likely land on 31R and the FBO will be a right turn off runway 31R.  Both our FBO and the Palm Springs Air Museum are on the east side of the airport so you'll see many of the museum airplanes on their ramp as you taxi in.  The unicom is 122.950.

We have an area where all our planes will be parked, the FBO will marshal you there.  Atlantic has a $20 overnight parking fee, the facility fee of $40 will be waived with fuel purchase, we have a $0.75 per gallon fuel discount.  The $20 security fee is being covered by BAC as your host.

We will be at the FBO on Wednesday for 9/28 arrivals.  From the ramp you'll go through the FBO out to their pool area for the BBQ.  For those landing commercial we'll run the shuttle van over to collect them at the terminal.
 
If you're not coming to BAC Fest 2022 you're missing out.

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Doc is here

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The Living Desert Reserve is happening

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Hope to see you soon!
 
Redcoats already ensconced at the hotel and looking out for fellow BAC members at breakfast at 0920 hrs.  Looking forward to the FBO pool party and BBQ this avo.  Do we need to bring our own cue or is it budgie smugglers and costumes?
 
I am down and in town, commercial.  Ran a couple of errands and will see if I can unload into my room and then pop over to the FBO either way.
-=-
Mark
 
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