by Tommy Thomason
In November, a group of pilots and then a subsequent trip on UTV’s, made it into Red Creek to perform some much needed maintenance. The rains of the last couple years left trenches in the east end of the runway and wash outs on some of the west end. On the first trip we had 8 planes, 10 workers, 2 kids and 2 dogs. Using buckets, a
By Mark Spencer
We’re off to a cool fall, and the backcountry season is off to a great start! We’ve managed to crack seal and surface seal the Grapevine Airstrip (88AZ) on the Tonto National Forest for the second time since bringing this incredible airstrip back into service after a 26 year closure!
In central eastern Arizona, we’ve added a new volunteer
By Leanne Tawoda
The Arizona Pilots Association has done an incredible job saving and rehabilitating Grapevine Airstrip (88AZ). Located on the south shore of Roosevelt Lake, the approach to runway 17 is beautiful. It gives the boaters on the lake a close-up view of many different aircraft as they land on the fantastic asphalt runway. At 3,800
By Mike Andresen
Today there are a couple of electronic ignition alternatives for certified airplanes and several other choices for experimental airplanes. Electronic ignitions can have higher energy output than a magneto and can also implement variable ignition timing. The magneto has fixed ignition timing, typically 20 to 25 degrees before Top Dead Center (TDC) of
By Mark Spencer
You may have noticed our temporary closure of the Grapevine 88AZ airstrip last month. One of the benefits of the Grapevine is its asphalt surface that allows pretty much any kind of aircraft to visit its quintessential Sonoran Desert environment and backcountry charm, but with that has come a lot of upkeep.
Grapevine’s asphalt was laid down
By Mark Spencer
September’s Grapevine monthly fly in event also turned into an ad hoc volunteer maintenance weekend. Over 20 aircraft and multiple ground vehicles showed up for much needed maintenance at Arizona’s most utilized backcountry airstrip, located off the shores of Roosevelt Lake on the Tonto National Forest. This was the first of the monthly fly in events
By Mark Spencer
Thanks to the Recreational Aviation Foundation’s efforts in working with Congress and the US Forest Service in Washington, $750,000 was directed by congress to be invested in backcountry airstrips around the country. Each region receives its portion of this money based on total number of feet of existing airstrips. Region 4, that’s AZ and NM, received
By Mark Spencer
Who would believe it’s been nearly 6 years since we embarked on the original GAPP to save the incredible Grapevine Airstrip? It’s true though, and what a great 6 years it’s been, but it’s time to put our shoulders to the wheel again, only this time you won’t have to pick up a shovel or wipe the sweat off your brow; what is needed is your
By Mark Spencer
Our first monthly fly in for Grapevine went off without a hitch in November, and with additional guests from the USAF!
With severe fire conditions across the Tonto National Forest the APA decided to hold off on our usual monthly fly in the third weekend at Grapevine until last month. We launched our new potluck dinner plan at this event, and