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2010 cog fly-in location

Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

I'll put my last 2 cents in. Sleeping next to the planes isn't high on my list. Having something interesting in the area to do for guests is. I don't care if it's a fun city (ATL), a fun college town (AHN, CEU, AUO, have to make sure it's an AWAY weekend), a fun smaller town (AVL), or on a lake with fishing and water toys. As long as there is something to do other than hang around the hotel bar and drink (my LAST choice).
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

janderson said:
Callaway Gardens, Brad. Scott mentioned this option earlier/Pine Mountain, it was Springtime, tho.. big draw for the flower conservatory, etc. CAC hosted a dinner buffet out there and it was quite spectacular...

Judi
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Hey Judy,

I attended the Fly-In at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA on May 1-2, 1998. I have the 10 page spiral-bound booklet sent to attendees after the Fly-In by the Commander Aircraft Company (CAC). The booklet is chock full of pictures, both of the planes on the ramp and the attendees at the Banquet and Awards Ceremony held on Saturday night. The award winners were:

John Parsio, N879MP, Best Aircraft In Show
John Kritko, N427G, Best Aircraft Exterior
Sven Faret, N1182J, Best Aircraft Panel
Chris Mortensen, N192RG, Best Aircraft Interior.

The last page lists the names and addresses of 29 attendees plus seven spouses. The cover shows 27 different Commanders just before touchdown as they arrived at KPIM.

My wife Nancy and I had a great time at Callaway Gardens, and I would love to return some day. :)

Andy
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

... kind of too bad that none of the 4 participates in COG.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

I searched a guide book for airports in the Southeast that have resort/hotel and a conference center on the field. Saw two state parks 0M2 and 2I3 along with Gastons's 3M0 (but in Arkansas). I agree with Scott, nice to have planes within walking distance and use $$ for avgas instead of rental cars.

I also liked Judi's suggestion of Huntsville because bunch of great day trips. (Space & Rocket Museum in Huntsville, Army Air Museum in Dothan, Navy Museum in Pensacola, and Guntersville Lake "Splash-In", and just 40 nm north is THA Tullahoma has Beechcraft & Stagger Wing Museum and Arnold Engineering Development Center if we have any aeronautical engineers?)
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Is anyone familiar with Windwood (WV) Fly-In Resort? WV is stretching the definition of SE ... but nice writeup on AirNav:

From Adam Zucker on 04-Oct-2009
Flew into Windwood for the weekend with a group of about 18-20 pilots and 9 planes. First off the owner Joe Beam and his staff could not have been more hospitable and accommodating. This is a down home place that makes you feel like your an old friend come to visit. Runway was adequate, road crosses about 1/4 of the way down so need to watch for crossing vehicle traffic. Road is in clear view and you will see the few vehicles that may cross from a safe distance. Approach to 24 is over 60-70' trees but aiming for the displaced threshold got us in with no problems and plenty of runway to spare. 24 slopes uphill but we had no problem at all getting out in a PA 28-140. Chocks for parking are in a gray milk carton at parking area. No tie downs but there is a cable so bring ropes and tie down to cable. Can't say enough good things about this place. We will be back.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

C'mon Scott, West VA? I think this guy must have been hanging with Joe Beam's brother Jim a little too long. Actually it's very pretty. We've skied Canaan Valley and this is a nice family getaway, but I wouldn't think this is the place you'd want to hold a large group fly-in . Not a lot to do there either. Although I have never been to Gaston's from what I surmise it appears to be much the same.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Then there's Charleston ... plantations and all. A lot of history. Much bigger ramp than Hilton head.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Just looking around, Jim! Both Wildwood and the one below were suggested by pilots on Linked-In AOPA group. Okracoke sounds fantastic but looking at the Satellite view, parking 40 plans looks impossible, let alone 50 or 60. And the forest service owns the airport and the manager is listed as being in Raleigh! Great day trip, though. I think this general area would be great. Always wanted to go to Kitty Hawk and a great opportunity for ocean flying at 20 AGL ... or is that ASL? I recall seeing an ad a couple of years ago for an airport that was opening somewhere along the outerbanks ... opening or a major refurbishment with a new FBO ... it looked fantastic and I recall making a post about it. But I cannot find it now. Any ideas?

LinkedIn Groups


  • Group: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
  • Subject: New comment (4) on "Best location for Overnight Group Fly-Ins"
Yes it is a small airport. I would call the Ocracoke Harbor Inn and inquire with them on the capacity of the airport. They are very familiar with it. If it is too small, Dare County/Manteo Airport (MQI) is much larger on Roanoke Island. We stop there for fuel on our way back to northern VA. They are very accommodating. Within reach of MQI are First Flight Airport (no services or overnight parking), Wright Museum & Memorial, Jockey's Ridge, lots of good restaurants, taxi & rental car services, a small Aquarium on the field, canoe excursions through Kitty Hawk Kites (and others) and a bunch of other stuff (mostly great beach--ocean & sound). Ocracoke is a great day trip from there by plane. Easily reachable by car are Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Hatteras. You can also take a ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. I love it there!
Posted by Rose Brown
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

JBunn said:
C'mon Scott, West VA? I think this guy must have been hanging with Joe Beam's brother Jim a little too long. Actually it's very pretty. We've skied Canaan Valley and this is a nice family getaway, but I wouldn't think this is the place you'd want to hold a large group fly-in . Not a lot to do there either. Although I have never been to Gaston's from what I surmise it appears to be much the same.
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Jim,
I have always wanted to go to Gastons and was thinking of a weekend trip this year.

Not Regina's cup of tea though. For her, "roughing it" is no room service because you are at a Holiday Inn.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Manteo is nice decent sized field w/ rental cars and there is some area exploring to do but cars are a requirement. Can be windy. While the OBK area is easily accessible by car, we need to go later in the season because the traffic can be LA-jammed getting on and off the outer island(s) during tourist time. After school starts should be OK.

Ocracoke is a truly charming place but much too small for a fly-in. As you said, a good day trip. In fact an afternoon tour of "Lighthouse Row" is a nice trip for some low coastline flying. I took th fam once; and while I was fascinated w/ the habitat and lighthouses, my girls ended up sleeping through about 2/3 of the flight.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Concur w/Bll. If you want to stay anywhere around the OBX, Mateo is the place. There are plenty of hotels, golf and a short (1/2 hr or less) hop to Kill Devil Hills, Billy Mitchell field (Hatteras) or Ockracoke.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Well, Mateo sounds cool ... as much as I like to 'sleep with the planes," we won't get that every year.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Looks like we might traumatize the place. How soon after we get there will Lonnie be swinging off the clock on the left? :rolleyes:
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Wow ... looked around the town on Google map, satellite, etc. Great place if we can work out accommdations and meeting space. Lot's of great opportunities for day trips.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

janderson said:
...Manteo, NC. looks like a quaint sleepy little town that can be taken over by COGgers. http://24.177.24.98/view/view.shtml

Judi
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I have landed in Manteo many times over the years and it is a great airport and FBO. First Flight airport is only a short hop away and is a great attraction for any pilot, since you can land only a short walking distance from the Wright Brothers monument and the museum.
 
Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

Uh, Manteo? (as opposed to me dear brudder, Mateo...)
 
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Re: 2010 cog fly-in location

We don't seem to be very well represented on the West.. What are the objectives of the COG fly-ins? Is it just a vacation, or a chance to meet as many of the members as possible at one meeting? I like that we have chosen centrally located sites in the past. I think this should be given the most weight. I would like to meet you guys, but NC or FL seem a stretch for me.. Thanks. Andy
 
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