Finally Made it to Arizona

[Ryan Keough]

Hi WIX folks...

I am officially a full time resident of Chandler, AZ as of this past weekend. I am in the process of getting my home and office set up, but wanted to at least let everyone know where I am now.

I'd like to find out who the local WIX folks are in the area and get to know ya'll... I have met a few folks from CAF AZ so far, and been to Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Williams-Gateway but haven't ventured to Glendale (Matt, I'll be looking for ya) or the Western airports as of yet.

So drop me a line... you can PM me or Email me... or just post here. Time to formalize the Desert Wing of WIX to compete with the Maine Snowball Militia!

[bdk]

6 hours from Chino. The Airshow is in May. Don't miss it!

[Chad Veich]

Welcome Ryan! I live in the far west valley but I work in Tempe so I'm not too far from you most days of the week.

[Bill Greenwood]

Ryan, your timing may be pretty good. Only Apaches and rattlesnakes can live in that desert in the summer; any chance you could winter there and summer in Gen ? If you are into gliding there is a very good school at Estrella 10 miles south. There is another north, Turf, but Estrella is better.

[Ryan Keough]

Ryan, your timing may be pretty good. Only Apaches and rattlesnakes can live in that desert in the summer; any chance you could winter there and summer in Gen ? If you are into gliding there is a very good school at Estrella 10 miles south. There is another north, Turf, but Estrella is better.

Hey Bill... yeah, it is certainly cooler now than it was a few weeks ago, but the bi-coastal life is still a little far off for us as of yet... though my wife is a teacher and I telecommute, so it certainly may be possible in the future... but even then perhaps only to Flagstaff... we like AZ too much.

Geneseo is nice too... and I'll be coming up for the airshow regardless... but the summers with humidity and thunderstorms make it pretty uncomfortable too... and flying on those thick humid days really can stink.

Lil and I are going to Tucson this weekend and I was planning to stop at Estrella for that very reason... I love soaring and that sounds like my kind of place.

[Ryan Keough]

Welcome Ryan! I live in the far west valley but I work in Tempe so I'm not too far from you most days of the week.

Hey Chad,

Look forward to meeting you in the area! You must have a "fun" commute... When I get a C-140, crossing the valley will be a bit easier!

[Ryan Keough]

6 hours from Chino. The Airshow is in May. Don't miss it!

Wouldn't miss it for the world! I'll have to bunk in either your hangar or Mike and Mac's place... or buy me one of them newfangled old hangars they are building out there!

Scott wants to come too... so make room for two!

[bilwor]

Arizona Skyfest 2007 Airshow is at Prescott October 6 and Kingman Air & Auto Show at Kingman October 6 & 7 are two upcoming shows with warbirds attending. Copperstate EAA Fly-In in Casa Grande is October 25-28. All these events are a short drive from Chandler. Kingman is probably 250 or so and the furtherest away.
bill word

[jschillereff]

Hey Ryan, welcome to Chandler. At least you picked a not so hot time to move here . You definitely have to roll on down to the Pima air museum if you haven’t been there before.

[Bill Greenwood]

As for the Copperstate fly in, years age when Carl Schmeider was involved it had a lot of warbirds, but I don't think so any more. They are mostly enamored with modern acro guys, they pay them and would not offer me even a hot dog to bring the Spitfire. This is not hearsay or rumor, the guys running the show told me by phone one year they did not have parking room for the Spit, and in person at Lakeland that they would pay nothing fo the Spitfire and made it clear they weren''t interested in warbirds. Each show has the right to limit or focus it as they want, but I don't think they should refer to it as "EAA" when the most popular segment of EAA is unwelcome.

[Chad Veich]

As for the Copperstate fly in, years age when Carl Schmeider was involved it had a lot of warbirds, but I don't think so any more. They are mostly enamored with modern acro guys, they pay them and would not offer me even a hot dog to bring the Spitfire. This is not hearsay or rumor, the guys running the show told me by phone one year they did not have parking room for the Spit, and in person at Lakeland that they would pay nothing fo the Spitfire and made it clear they weren''t interested in warbirds. Each show has the right to limit or focus it as they want, but I don't think they should refer to it as "EAA" when the most popular segment of EAA is unwelcome.

I remember when Copperstate used to have a decent warbird turn out as well. That was the first place I saw any of Evergreen's warbirds and found out that they were building up a collection. I saw their B-17 along with "Sentimental Journey" (and Bill's Spit!) at a Copperstate one year, first time I'd seen two B-17s in the air together. Good memories and it is too bad that they have lost interest in the warbird aspect of EAA.

[Scott Rose]

6 hours from Chino. The Airshow is in May. Don't miss it!

Heh, already making plans to attend next year, now that I have a forward operating base

[Chris]

Welcome Ryan, Timing is everything as they say. Nice weather all winter. I take care of a couple planes down at Stellar. T-6, Staggerwing and P-51. The Stagger and T-6 will be at the Prescott show in a couple of weeks. The P-51 is currently at Palomar in California. Long-wide runway for the owner to gain some confidence. Stellar is a little short and narrow but therwise a great little place. I'll be at Midland but you're certainly welcome to drop in anytime. Check your PM.

[wendovertom]

Well, Arizona is closer. . . . now you can come hit Wendover in Sept right after Reno! Our show is going to be Sept. 20 2008 - nothing like long range planning

Tom P.

[doctor]

Ryan;

I'm a member of the AZ Wing of the CAF and live out in the West Valley. I'm out in the Reserves at Luke AFB, as well. Hope to see you around, good to have another WIX'er around the Valley.

Dr