Southwest Region Fly-in

CalifDan

CalifDan

Orbiting Earth
I'm selecting the dates of September 23-24 for the BAC Southwest Fly-in at KAPC (Napa County Airport).

I need to figure out how to get it posted on the calendar.

I also need to know many of you would plan on attending and if so, which days. If some want to fly in Friday afternoon, I'll plan to meet, greet, help solve whatever you might need between now and then for information, rental cars, transportation, etc.

I'm going to try and arrange a get-together for Saturday afternoon and evening that includes a meal. Not sure if that will be at the airport or my house yet, but will work on that.

Let me know if anyone is coming or bringing someone to the event who would enhance the knowledge base of the attendees so that I can arrange the proper forum. Might also be good to find out if there are any suggestions for someone we might invite (who actually would come) who can provide an interesting perspective.

Also, does anyone want to do a wine tour on Saturday? Any special requests in that regard?

Thanks.

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
Dan-

Looks like things are starting to gel a bit. What is a good 'alternate' if Napa is socked in with fog as we start to arrive?

I am planning to come in Friday the 22nd to help (if all goes as planned, he said with confidence!).

Chris
 
Alternates

The normal summer weather pattern which usually lasts into early October will provide for 3-4 says of clear weather followed by 3-4 days of morning stratus that can last until mid-day. KAPC is right against the hills at the eastern extent of the normal overcast area. There are localizer, vor and gps approaches to the airport that can get you in if the layer is high enough, which it usually is except very early morning.

If you are VFR, alternates could be Concord (KCCR) or even more likely, Vacaville (KVCB). Concord can be covered, but often isn't, Vacaville is almost always good as an alternate for coastal stratus. Both are about 40 minutes drive away. Another possibility is Angwin (2O3) which sits above the Napa Valley on a hilltop at 1800' That sometimes puts it above the layer and sometimes it is just north of the stratus. Also 40 minute drive back to Napa (City of or airport).

On those days when we get central valley fog, the whole patern reverses. It can be almost, if not, undrivable in the central valley and clear as a bell in Napa and along the coast. In those instances KVCB might be toast and Napa will be clear.

We should be able to watch the weather starting a few days ahead and make some decisions regarding arrivals. Anyone arriving on Friday afternoon should have no problems assuming we don't have early rainy weather and the typical pattern holds. Those arriving on Saturday morning and wishing to stay VFR might want to plan for later morning if the outlook is marginal.

Best TAF's to use will be KSTS and KOAK. Napa has metars, but that is not going to get you a forecast. KSTS is pretty good. Don't use Travis as it is east of the hills and will often be forecast clear while KAPC sits under the layer. KOAK often clears about the same time as Napa.

When we get close to the date, I'll post here with expectations regarding weather and I'll also be available the Friday and Saturday by cell phone to let anyone know the conditions.

So far, we have three confirmed to attend.
 
I expect to attend. I haven't decided if I'll fly in on Friday, or Saturday morning. I'll probably bring my wife.
 
I am tentatively planning on flying in Friday to Lincoln so my husband can visit his parents. We would then leave Lincoln to Napa Saturday am unless there is weather. (this is all provided I can get my license by then :) )


Or if anyone else is going from SoCal-maybe we could mouse-pool???
 
Progress

We are up to six members with ten total participants in the fly-in. So far they are:

CalifDan
Dan Jonas – Napa, Ca
76 – Duchess
Arrival – Already Here!
Participants - 2

Knownbliss
Jean Gurnee - Long Beach, Ca
23 – Musketeer
Arrival – Saturday morning
Participants - 2

Firefly
Steven Frieson - Claremont, CA
B24R – Sierra
Arrival – Friday or Saturday
Participants - 2

Clinderman
Chris Linderman - Salt Lake City, UT
C24R – Sierra
Arrival – Friday PM
Participants – 1

Hifyguy
Richard Kutzner - Bakersfield, CA
A23 - Musketeer II
Arrival – Friday PM
Participants - 2

Joining Us From the Northwest Region:

Rodger79v
Ron Sellers - Vancouver, WA
A23-24 – Musketer
Arrival – Saturday 1-2 PM
Participants - 1

Looks like one wave on Friday and another on Saturday.

I could use email addresses for all of you just to keep you informed. A contact phone number (preferably a cell phone that you will have once you are here) would also be helpful so we can find you if we need to. I won't share the phone numbers or email addresses on any online postings.

Some of you are bringing spouses or significant others. Let me know if they have any specfic activities they are interested in. I'm thinking we can visit a few wineries on Saturday, Copia (for those inclined), the Wine Train is a nice lunch that also goes up the valley (will need reservations for that). I want to plan a dinner for all on Saturday evening. Size of group may cause that to be at someplace like Jonesy's or my back yard.

There is shopping at the outlet mall in Napa. There is golf if anyone is so inclined.

For those thinking in terms of hotel reservations...City of Napa would be the nearest to the action. American Canyon also has a few places now and is just down the road from the airport. Fairfield is about 8 miles and will be less expensive than Napa, but don' let the mileage fool you, the trip can take over 30 minutes if traffic is bad, sometimes longer.

Keep me posted. Thanks.

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
count me in...maybe

Hey Dan,

I live in Vacaville, and would love to attend..
However comma
I'm not sure of my work schedule for next month yet.... I'll try to get the weekend off, but not for sure until mid-month..
also, our Mouse is due an annual in Sep, and the last one took 3 months to complete, so I don't know about my airplane....

I'll get back to you when I know more...
Thanks,

Ken Vineburg
[email protected]
 
Fly-in

Ken,

You are close enough that airplane or not, you could take part in some of the activities. We are planning to have a dinner on Saturday evening with everyone if that's what the group prefers. I suspect that some of the other day time activities may be varied and somewhat independent or smaller groups of like minded people.

Keep us posted.

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
Participants

It looks like we are up to 8 left seat participants and 12 counting the right seat. This might turn into a nice fly-in. Check your calendars.

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
Count me as a maybe from the Pacific NW. I am going to try to work in a business trip to San Jose the week before, so I can fly my Sierra down for the work meetings, and then stop in Napa before heading home.

don
 
Woodland Aviation

Ken,

I seem to recall something about you being familiar with the guys up at Woodland Aviation. I'm curious if there is anyone up there who might want to participate in the Fly-in. Maybe answer maintenance or parts questions at a dinner? What do you think? If so, maybe I can pick you up and go up and talk with them. Maybe they would bring the new King Air over and let us have a look (yeah right).

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
Dan,

I know one of the parts guys up there, but not really well but it's worth a shot. I'm currently doing some family vacation on the east coast and will be home next week. It would be fun to try and see if we could get one of the Beech guys... maybe offer some dinner or something. We can talk next week if you'd like... my cell 707-685-0873.

Ken
 
For those of you who wanted/wished they could make the BAC Fest 2006, let me encourage you to come to the SW Regional fly in at Napa. While we can't recreate the magic of the national event what with a factory tour, vendor shows, etc. we can all meet each other and enjoy the fellowship.

I will do my best to answer questions about the national event when we are all together in Napa but there's no way to get the rush of seeing a flight line full of nothing but Musketeers without being there!

So, make you plans, get your reservations, and come to Napa on September 23 and 24th.

We'll see you there!
Chris
 
Presentation

Chris,

We will be looking forward to your slide-show / power point presentation of the BAC Fest event! Just from the pictures that I saw, it looks like a great time and I think the factory tours must have been very interesting. Sorry I could not make it.

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
Slide show? Power Point? Gulp....I gotta figure this out. I did take a few shots with my digital. Let me see what I can do.

Hmmmm, let's see....this end of the cable goes....... :?
 
Presentation

Chris,

Yeah, that puts the pressure on. That's what you get for being so close to the eastern edge of our region and the consequent short trip to BAC Fest.

Don't worry about the presentation, but any pictures not already on the BAC site might be interesting. I'm sure the members attending the Napa event will be very interested in your experience at KBEC as well as the flight both ways.

I'm leaning at this point to hosting a get-together / barbecue at my house for those who arrive on Friday. I've been communicating with Ken Vineburg from Vacaville about how we might get someone to provide some kind of presentation at a dinner on Saturday evening. We will see how that works out.

I would be interested in any suggestions that any other members have regarding the Saturday dinner. It makes sense to have it at the airport. Jonesy's Steak House is known far and wide as a good fly-in dinner spot.

I've received a limited amount of feedback regarding what the attendees might want to do between those events and into Sunday am. Again, let me know what you are all contemplating and perhaps we can pair up those who might have similar goals (wine tasting, shopping, etc.).

Dan Jonas
Napa Valley
 
LOL, Rich! I have a Powerpoint presentation made up of the photos I took. I'm not sure how entertaining or informative it will be but at least it will be short!

See ya in Napa then!
Chris
 
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