Arizona Backcountry Events MarkSpencer

Winter and Spring 2016 

By Mark Spencer 

The temps will be warming up soon and we have a full lineup planned for the 2016 spring backcountry season! Of course, with spring starting in January, in the desert anyway, we’ll kick off with a couple of training events hosted by some of the best in the country. Dave Dunteman will be presenting his Back-to-Basics class at the Ak-Chin Airport (AZ39) on Saturday, January 23rd. This is a great way to start out the spring season by polishing up on the basics of safe off-airport operations. Given Dave’s thousands of hours in command of fighter jets, his humble approach to basics is not only refreshing, but interesting and memorable. We are currently working on securing Wings Credit for this training.

dragoon mountains

 

As we head into the warmer months, many of you will consider some trips into the high country, and with it, exploring various mountain and canyon areas. Thanks to APA President Tommy Thomason’s efforts, Lori MacNichol will come down to Arizona and give a fascinating classroom Mountain/Canyon flying seminar (more info is available on www.mountaincanyonflying.com). See the flyer later in this newsletter.

We are also working on Wings Credit for this training. You can count on our regular, every third Saturday fly-in and camp at the Grapevine airstrip at Roosevelt Lake. Of course, you can arrive on Friday and stay until Sunday. Check out these events on our calendar for specifics, and for details regarding the lunch served on Saturdays. The APA provides a port-a-john at mid-field for your convenience. These weekends are a great place to meet new friends and learn about what’s going on from aviators around the southwest.

We’re not fooling with you when we say that the USFS Pleasant Valley Airstrip (24AZ), just outside of historic Young, is an Arizona favorite, not only for aviators, but for the local folks who enjoy our events there. Join us there on April 1st for backcountry at its best. There will be transportation to and from Young for folks who prefer the softer side, with a motel bed. It’s best to call ahead to reserve a room. You’ll notice that we’ve scheduled a backup date for this in case of bad weather, so keep a watch on the calendar, and at our Facebook page for up to the minute news on events in the backcountry.

double circle ranch

 

We’ll round out the spring lineup with my personal favorite, the old Double Circle Ranch, just north of Safford. The Airstrip here is not much more than a dirt road, but we’ve seen all sorts of aircraft visit. The history here is incredible. From its origin as a homestead in 1878 to the beginning of its demise in 1929, the Double Circle retains its southwestern ranch charm. The lodge structure is open for all, and we usually have a fire in the old fireplace in the evenings. Join us here on May 13th -16th, with a backup also set for the following weekend. Again, watch for news on our Facebook page to stay up to date as these events approach!

All calendar events require a signed liability waiver, please Download it here!

Winter/Spring 2016 Backcountry Events

Save these dates! 

January, 2016 

Friday, January 15, 2016 - Sunday, January 17, 2016 
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend

Saturday, January 23, 2016 
Back to Basics at Ak-Chin (A39) with Dave Dunteman

Saturday, January 30, 2016 
Mountain Canyon Flying with Lori MacNichol (P48)

February, 2016 

Friday, February 19, 2016 - Sunday, February 21, 2016 
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend

March, 2016 

Friday, March 04, 2016 – Saturday March 5, 2016
Cactus Fly In Casa Grande (CGZ)

Friday, March 18, 2016 - Sunday, March 20, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend

April, 2016 

Friday, April 1, 2016 - Sunday, April 3, 2016 
Pleasant Valley, Young AZ (24AZ)

Bad Weather BACKUP DATE: 
Friday, April 8, 2016 - Sunday, April 10, 2016

Friday, April 15, 2016 - Sunday, April 17, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016 - Sunday, May 1, 2016
Double Circle Ranch (Z66)

Bad Weather BACKUP DATE:
Friday, May 6, 2016 - Sunday, May 8, 2016

May, 2016

Saturday May 7, 2016
ASAG Meeting

 

Friday, May 20, 2016 - Sunday, May 22, 2016

Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend

January, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016 - Sunday, January 17, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Back to Basics at Ak-Chin (A39) with Dave Dunteman 
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Mountain Canyon Flying with Lori MacNichol (P48)
February, 2016
Friday, February 19, 2016 - Sunday, February 21, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend
March, 2016
Friday, March 04, 2016 – Saturday March 5, 2016
Cactus Fly In Casa Grande (CGZ) 
Friday, March 18, 2016 - Sunday, March 20, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend 
April, 2016
Friday, April 1, 2016 - Sunday, April 3, 2016
Pleasant Valley, Young AZ (24AZ) 
Bad Weather BACKUP DATE:
Friday, April 8, 2016 - Sunday, April 10, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016 - Sunday, April 17, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend 
Friday, April 29, 2016 - Sunday, May 1, 2016
Double Circle Ranch (Z66) 
Bad Weather BACKUP DATE: 
Friday, May 6, 2016 - Sunday, May 8, 2016
May, 2016
Saturday May 7, 2016 
ASAG Meeting
Friday, May 20, 2016 - Sunday, May 22, 2016
Grapevine Monthly Fly-In Weekend 

 

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