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COG Fly-In II

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bradmc

bradmc

New member
Seattle, WA, USA
Aircraft Year
1975
Aircraft Type
112/A
Reg Number
N1325J
Serial Number
325
Well, since Miesch and Breimeister let the last thread swirl into the toilet, and caused it to get locked...

I was thinking something like Bryce Canyon (BCE), or there-abouts, for a West coast annual fly-in. The elevation is pretty high, though, so it may not work, although it is pretty long. Or, maybe a little further South towards Vegas, like St. George (SGU).
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Page Arizona is spectacular, they have a golf course, and great sightseeing (slot caynons)
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Juergen;

You need to invite your friend to our fly-in. You know who I'm talking about, the guy you're chatting with in the pic that shows up at the top of the web page every once in a while. I think he goes by "Bob"! Git-r done!
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

I like the Page, AZ idea. Also, there is a Radisson Hotel at Santa Maria CA that is perfect for fly-ins, has everything required.
--carol
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Page, AZ is good. San Luis Obisbo is a little north of Santa Maria and close to Pismo Beach. That might be another option.
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Like the Raddison at Santa Maria but not much to do in the area.
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Page is a great place, long as your not there June-Sept
 
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Not too many hotels in Page. Reservations would have to be done early.
I was there last yr, (drove from Vegas), hoping to do a walk-in. The 4-5 hotels/motels were fully booked. Closest hotel was in Flagstaff. I slept in the jeep :).
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Page is a little north of Sedona? That trip was fun for us normally aspirated 112s :)

The accommodations and host airport are a couple of important criteria. We've got to have tie-downs for about 50 aircraft (and airport has to be OK with our milling around on the ramp. Some security conscious fields don't like that) and hotel needs about 40-50 rooms and banquet facilities. Also, members don't like long commutes back and forth to the field. Ask Gary about Gatlinburg TN :eek:

Carol - is Santa Maria all the way to the coast?

Northward is OK too as long as we're early enough in the year to avoid the worst of the icing. Also, we have to make sure that a Commander can actually reach wherever we go without an overly roundabout routing. Figure 10,000 elevation max for the route.
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Brad,I met Bob H. for the first time when he was promoting the Commander for Rockwell,flying around the country with two Playboy Models in Gold Flightsuits,what a hoot,that was the topic of our conversation in the pic. at OSH.

Juergen Koehn
N5893N,114A/GT
 
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Re: COG Fly-In II

Permit a new owner to chime in-I like Page. Wondering, as a new owner and never having been to a fly-in, if there's anything geared to new owners??? In my many years of collecting classic cars, I found much of what was/is known about a vehicle, is lost as it passes from one owner to the next. Would be nice to tap the knowledge of long time Commander owners...
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

As a new owner last year, and still new (!), the Fly-in had LOTS of content relevant to new owners, and owners in general need the same info. Great discussion last year on Parts availability, good talks about the development of new upgrades (including the process entailed) for Commanders.

Most important of all... meeting all the other Commanders and building those relationships with those that continue to support us in the forum and other ways, day to day.

... and there's time to enjoy some beverages as well. :D
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

New owners get to buy beer and wash planes.

:)
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Santa Maria is pretty much "all the way to the coast", just south of San Luis Obispo, so it's as difficult for people back East to get there as for us on the left coast to get to Florida. Its draw is that the airport has a commercial terminal and 2 restaurants, yet a huge area for small airplanes to park and people can mingle freely on the ramp. We used to have a gig there every year and have landing contests, sitting out in chairs by the taxiway. Nothing much to do in SMX itself, but numerous fine wineries are nearby, buses can be rented for trips, beautiful scenery, and the hotel has several banquet rooms for meetings etc. OTOH I also would enjoy going to Page AZ.
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Just so that everyone know our site selection criteria, here's a quick summary of what a location will have to have 'going for it' to work for a COG Annual Fly-in. Not exhaustive but you'll get the idea:
  • Ramp space for 50 planes
  • Available instrument approaches
  • FBO/fuel
  • Pilot friendly atmosphere where it’s OK for us to be casually out on the ramp
  • Rental car availability
  • Nearby hotel with:
    • Adequate # rooms
    • Banquet facilities & catering services to accommodate 100
    • Amenities for non-pilots
    • Smaller rooms for seminars, etc.
    • Attached (or very close) restaurant bar/lounge
  • Some area attractions / activities for non-pilots
Taking care of the non-pilots is a very important element that we can't overlook. While many owners would be happy to spend a few days out on the ramp poking at landing gear and attending seminars, many of our guests aren't thrilled with that and we need everyone to be enjoying themselves.
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Page meets all the criteria.
 
Re: COG Fly-In II

Page is a beautiful place!! I would like to welcome all members to come to Arizona!!

Terry Hemmen
Chino Valley Az
N1476J
 
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