Catalina Island,CA July 31st

Ahh, well I should be back from Oshkosh, but not for sure, but you just missed one of the BBQ buffets that is offered only in the summer, if you are in the area before the 23rd we could meet up, I asked Marty to chime in as well on his way back from Arlington. I was at Catalina a few weeks ago at the last BBQ, great place for a getaway.

http://www.catalinadc3.com/barbecues.html
 
Ed,

Check with Dan Jonas, it's his region. There should be a good turnout. We have plenty of members close by. I'll do my best to be there.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
Make sure you bring your $20^D^D^D $25 landing fee. You'd think they could fix the potholes with all those fees...
 
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Is the Catalina Island fly-in still on? If so, what is the plan of activities?

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
Yes it is still on. I would like to get an head count if you think you could make it( I am working on something).
 
Actually, that is about how it looks. The runway slopes uphill and with it starting at the edge of the mountain you feel low all the way down final. If you don't fly the approach using the numbers (altitude/position) you will cross the threshold high. The runway has potholes, so do not have your tongue between your teeth when you touch down. Also, the first half from the ocean side is uphill and many people have locked up the brakes thinking they were running out of runway once they touch down and take a look.

There was another Catalina clip in there where the approach looks less flat, but note how far he goes down the runway before touching down. He crossed the threshold high.

And yeah, nice centerline effort.

Dan Jonas
 
Be careful with Catalina. I have been there many times. The runway does crest in the middle, and the pot holes will jar your teeth, new discs or not. It is an unusual runway in that the eastern edge (most commonly flown approach side) and the western side for that matter, are both at the top of a cliff, so the approach has nothing for you to focus on prior to the end of the runway, probably why so many go so long. In a Sierra, as high as we sit an with great visibility, the center part of the runway rises enough that the only thing that makes you think that the runway in not ending is the parking and hangars that are still visible. A flyover would be a great idea for those who have never been there before. Get a good look of the buildings an airport lay out. Be careful of the hours of operation, the bus schedule, and with the current weather, fog closing the airport while the rest of the island is fog free. It is a bus ride to town, and a bus ride back. Wrigley built the airport for himself, and the private road is travelled by buses only. Mrs. Wrigley had the guard rails installed to keep Mr. Wrigley on the road. Not much to do intown except eat, drink, and possibly spend the night, which you will have to do if you do not watch the bus schedule and the airport closing time.

Rick Spann
 
If weather is good, I am looking forward to Catalina. Is the plan to stay at the airport or venture into town?
 
I plan to make this one. I haven't been to Catalina for a long time (like, in the 70s), glad to hear they got the runway fixed up a bit, used to be pretty bad. BTW what are we going to be doing there? Lunch and run? Might be all I can do. We are having T-storms cooking off every day around 3pm. Could make for an interesting return. I'll bring my toothbrush just in case.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
Ed,

It looks like you the makings of a good fly-in. You all have a great time and let me know what the distance traveled was for everyone. Fly safe.

Dan Jonas
 
Ok here it is free lunch @ Catalina Island this Saturday @ noon. We can decided to stay at the airport or go to town. Marty ,I plan to leave and start back as well. Looking forward to it.
 
The forecast for Avalon is low clouds until 2 pm. Looks like a late lunch. I'll stage at Burbank to wait for the break up. Temps will be in the low 60s, so bring a sweater. I'll be in foul weather gear. I'm going to RON at Cable Airport and stay with a friend. Ed, if you want to blast out early Sunday morning, I'll fly wingman as far as Arizona.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
I may be able to make this one...it depends on the forecast. I can't afford $$ or time to get stuck overnight. Probably should dig out my life vest too. The forecast is spotty...and scattered at 1200-1500 on often translates at Catalina to broken to overcast due to induced condensation.

Long Beach shows clear all day - Santa Ana and Oceanside only have forecasts until Noon tomorrow so far. We'll see...
-=-
Mark
 
That seems to be a daily forecast in my limited time here(clearing around noon). Marty, I will be at Million Air @ Burbank around 10 am and waiting to go to Catalina. We should probably stay at the airport and eat with everyones schedule.
 
So far, looks like 3 Sierra's and a Super. One desert rat, a ridge runner, a transplant from 10,000 lakes and a central valley guy. Surely there are more than 2 from the left coast that are brave enough to go '26 miles across the sea....'? Come on fellas and gals, lets get together, fill our bellies and swap lies about airplanes.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
Everyone coming tomorrow(Saturday Catalina). Most have said the will stage at Burbank. I will be there at Million Air around 10am. My number is 615-504-2368. Feel free to call me so that no one gets left out. It has been suggested to fly to Chino Air museum if we can't get into Catalina. We will see. Our first goal is Catalina.Thanks
 
I got RAIN this morning. No T-storms, which is good. We are forecasted to be dry by 10:00 am. So, I'm going to make it. I might be a little late, but I'll get there. Catalina is forecasted for sun by 2 pm. So, it could be a late lunch anyway.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
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