Sedona AZ Fly-in/RON

mvanover

Headed to Andromeda
I have just posted a fly-in to Sedona, AZ (KSEZ) on 17 November. Lunch at the new Mesa Grill right on the airport. This is a beautiful location right at the edge of the Mogollon Rim surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and rock formations. The airport is on a mesa with great approaches to the runways 3/21. I have made arrangements for a "Musketeer" discount at the Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona at the bottom of airport road for those wishing to remain over night (RON). The price will be $125 for a double room (two queens) and $135 for the single room (a king), plus tax. Sedona is a great little town with lots to see and do. Many good restaurants and shopping of all sorts. So, mark your calendar and plan to attend. Let me know if you plan to RON so I can make transportation arrangements.

Here is an example of the scenery!

CoffePot-Sedona.jpg
 
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This is a great opportunity for southwest folks to get some PT points! I look forward to a lot of work to do entering them on 11/18 :)
 
I just check the long term weather forecast for the 17th at Sedona. The high will be 45 degs F with the overnight low of 20 degs F. I do believe they will have the fire place going. For those that are considering a RON, I think each room has a fake electric fire place. At least ours did. It ain't much to look at but it keeps the room warm. Density altitude will probably not be a significant factor.
 
I am currently planning on bringing big bird to Sedona. I think I will plan on a RON so I don't have to rush back. I hope the weather is good like today. I flew that way today for lunch (KGUP).

Jim
 
The extended forecast is for Sunny for that weekend. Of course, the weather deck will be reshuffled a few more times before the fly-in. But I'll be watching it close. Jim, if it is just you and me, it will be a great time. I'm still waiting to hear from the rest of the fly-in crowd. Would really like to see some Southwest Region participation. Typically this is great flying weather in Arizona. Usually stable conditions and few bumps. Density altitude will not be an issue. I'll provide more info on flying into Sedona as we near the date. I just flew up there recently and there was nothing scary about it. Breathtaking, yes, but scary no. I think some of the better flatlanders would be able to manage to land there safely :).
 
Marty-
We are planning to make it but we will not be able to get there until Saturday and have to leave Sunday morning. Right now the long range weather for SLC is not looking too promising but I'll be watching it.
 
I am looking forward to it. Sedona will be the second lowest airport that I have landed at after Santa Rosa. Also landing on a Mesa shouldn't be much different than landing at my home airport of KLAM (7171 ft). KLAM is one way in and one way out and it is on a Mesa finger.
 
Jim,

Usually KSEZ is also one way in and the other way out, although the gradient is only 1.9%. If the wind is significant out of the Southwest, then runway 21 is usable. Otherwise 3 is mostly used. If there is significant wind, it's not a good idea to drag in the approach. I like to land 1000 ft down the runway here. There have been some landings there that ended up short. Not a good idea at an airport on a mesa. With the forecasted temps, the density altitude should be below 5,000 ft for most of the morning. So, no real performance issues. I see nearly that D.A. at KCHD in the summer time.

BTW, right now the fuel price from Red Rock Aviation is $5.59/gal. Not much more than the $5.44 I pay at KCHD.
 
KLAM is always take off on runway 9 and land runway 27. This is the rule regardless of the wind conditions. The wind can get pretty squirrelly near the end of the runway, because of the end of the Mesa and the county buildings creating weird thermals. Being a little high is much better than being low. I have encountered left crosswinds on final that turn into right crosswinds across the end of the runway and the back from the left later down the runway. Good thing musketeers are pretty good in crosswinds.

Should be interesting to see how Sedona compares to KLAM. I have a healthy respect for Sedona. I knew the pilot from Albuquerque who crashed his Duke there on take off earlier this year.
 
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The weather deck has just been re-shuffled and we have bright and sunny in the forecast for most of the Southwest area on the 17th and 18th. It should be a great flight and fly-in at KSEZ. I have not heard from many that they plan to attend, if you are just flying in or will stay over night, let me know. So far there are only three committed attendee's. I'll have a vehicle there so getting into town will be easy. So, make your plans and let me know if you can make it. Yeah, I know, the deck will be shuffled a couple more times before then.

Sunontherocks001.jpg


OK the Forecast is holding. Looks to be mid 60s for Saturday and Sunday. If you can't make it Saturday lunch, try to show up for a late breakfast on Sunday.

Ok smarty pants, how'd you do it?
 

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Forecast for flying from Salt Lake is taking an unwelcome turn! I'll keep watching. It will probably be a last minute decision.
 
Don't worry Chris, there will be a couple more reshuffles of the weather deck before Saturday. The weather will be fine, Mr. Cote can't make this one.
 
Looks good, except for SLC. Chris may have to get some approaches in to get his IFR ticket current. But, we are only talking about cloud cover. No storms or the like. I think a good mountain flyer could get in and out like a cucaracha under the door.
 
With the Sedona fly-in only 4 days away, the forecast is: Sat; plenty of sunshine 67/33. Sun; partly sunny 66/37. I doubt it will change much by then. It looks like VFR all the way. There are only 3 of us committed and another for Sunday breakfast. Would love to have more join. If you can make it and would like to do the overnight stay, call me, PM me or post here so I can get you the best room rate. If you can just make it for lunch that would be great.

Cell: 480-882-8750
 
Marty,

I am going to try to make it as long as the weather remains VFR between KFLY and KSEZ. Still trying to talk my wife into going with me (She is a reluctant flyer). Can you still get me the Musketeer rate on the room. It is about a 4 hour flight from Colorado Springs so I should get in right before noon on Saturday.
 
My wife says maybe next year, if we have a bigger, faster plane. I'm just going to pretend like that means she's giving me the go ahead for an A36.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
 
Well shucks, the weather is predicted to be not so good tomorrow. I have made the command decision to not go tomorrow. Winds are suppose to be gusting to 18 and likely to be cloud cover. Being a brand new pilot (April 2012) I don't think this prudent for me to push it. I was really looking forward to meeting the people planning to go and getting some flying in. Weather here is suppose to good so I will have to see about going somewhere around here.
 
That just leaves me and Dave for Sedona. So, no use in wasting the fuel. Sedona is canceled until further notice.
 
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