by Mike McCann
March Day Trip:
Grapevine Airstrip – 88AZ
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Trip Detail Recap:
- ·This is a combined Day Trip / APA monthly Grapevine backcountry campout.
- ·88AZ Arrival time: 8:15 – 9:00am (please stagger arrival times).
- ·A campout breakfast will be hosted by our fellow APA backcountry members.
- ·This event is limited to APA members only.
IMPORTANT – space is limited:
Due to limited aircraft parking, this event is limited to 10 aircraft…RSVP is required for this event. When the 10 aircraft slots are filled, you’ll automatically be added to the wait list.
No limits on the number of people…so bring a friend(s), spouse or someone new!
Greetings fellow APA members. The October combined “Day Trip & Weekend Getaway” trip to Monument Valley was a huge success and the first time we combined two groups of APA members for a great destination and unique experience to share.
For our Day trip in March, we are once again picking a new and unique destination and will join fellow APA backcountry camping members. The Grapevine backcountry airstrip (88AZ) is a prized location with a 3,800’ x 40’ paved runway on the edge of Roosevelt Lake. “Grapevine” exists today solely due to the huge volunteer effort of many APA members over several years. APA’s Backcountry pilots spent countless work weekends repairing the runway and adjoining campground facilities to make it accessible to most aircraft (and not only backcountry airplanes).
March’s Day trip will be an opportunity to introduce pilots to Grapevine and experience the amazing Arizona scenery. Our combined event also provides a great opportunity to meet some of our APA backcountry members who regularly camp at 88AZ’s campground. The backcountry folks will be cooking a camp-style breakfast for everyone after the Day Trip group arrives. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage links, O.J., Coffee, Banana Bread with/without nuts and Sourdough Pumpkin Bread. Butter, and syrup ( reg and no sugar). There’s no cost for the breakfast, but donations will be accepted. Since there is NO vehicle access to Grapevine, all the supplies must be flown in for our breakfast. I want to give a huge thanks to Leanne Tawoda who is APA’s Grapevine campout coordinator. Leanne is coordinating all the logistics for our visit and making our Saturday morning visit possible! THANK YOU LEANNE!!
After breakfast hike to edge of Roosevelt Lake
Given the amazing scenery surrounding 88AZ, we’ll plan to take a short hike to the edge of Roosevelt Lake after breakfast. It’s a great place for pictures, capturing both the lake and the surrounding mountains. Everyone is encouraged to spend some time exploring this unique location after breakfast…you won’t regret it!
Very Important – 88AZ Backcountry airport etiquette:
Backcountry airports are by definition located in quiet and remote locations. Imagine you’re landing your airplane inside a national park with people quietly sleeping on both sides of the runway. Minimizing unnecessary aircraft noise and dust is very important in backcountry operations.
88AZ arrival & parking instructions:
- Monitor 122.90 when nearing 88AZ. Someone on the ground will communicate approximate winds and active runway.
- All arriving aircraft will shut down while on the asphalt. No engine operations on the gravel or dirt.
- Parking instructions will be communicated on 122.90 via a parking marshall.
- If you’re able to park on the dirt, you’ll be directed to the mid-field parking area.
- If unable to park on the dirt, aircraft will be directed to the north or south ends of the runway (be prepared to walk back to the mid-field camp area).
- When it’s time to depart, aircraft parked on the dirt will be moved by hand back to the airstrip asphalt prior to engine start.
Wrap-Up:
As always, be sure to thoroughly preflight both yourself and your aircraft. And do a thorough flight planning as would be required for any cross-country flight.
Before your flight, review the two YouTube video on aircraft operations at Grapevine. The first is very informative and will help in your pre-flight planning for Grapevine. However, the first video is 6 years old and states that the runway surface is deteriorated (which is no longer accurate).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuBWHmfpdc8
The second YouTube video was shot 3 years ago and offers more current views of the runway conditions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lc2eLqapwo
Also, be sure to review the Grapevine safety brochure found at the attached website. Some of the brochure info has been noted in this announcement, but not everything.
https://azpilots.org/images/attachments/GrapevineInfoPamphlet.pdf
Lastly, 88AZ is a non-tower-controlled airport, so pilots are encouraged to review Advisory Circular 90-66C for proper operation in non-towered airports: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1041885
Feel free to contact me with any questions (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and we'll look forward to seeing you.
Safe flying,
Mike
