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This year was my 4th trip to Copperstate, the annual fly-in held at the Casa Grande Arizona airport (KCGZ). The fly-in is fine, but for me the trip is the main event.
The flight this year was a total of 1,926 miles. We spent two days flying each way. I say we. On the trip down I flew my Zodiac, keeping Doug Dugger of Quality Sport Planes company in his 750. On the trip back, Doug and I were Joined by Woody Harris in his Corvair powered Zodiac.
It was a fabulous adventure. Doug and I like to fly low through the desert. On one 527 mile leg our average AGL was 235 feet. Yes, a Zodiac can fly low and slow too with the advantage of burning 50% less fuel than a 750 does at the same speed.
A highlight of the trip was a stop at a little known dirt strip in Death Valley National Park. The strip is called the Chicken Strip. It is located in the north-end of the Saline valley. Here is a link to a Google Map. The strip is a little rough for a 601 but doable. From the strip, it is a short walk to some well maintained "natural" hot springs - (warning: clothing optional). To drive a car to this place takes many hours on a dirt road. In the plane, it was fun and much easier.
Below is a picture of my GPS track.
The best way to see much of what we saw on this trip is to take a look at the 200+ pictures I took along the way. I have posted them to my SmugMug account. You can view them by clicking this link. You can download the pictures if you like and there is a slideshow available. Hope you enjoy.
Steve
Comment
How do I get on the mailing list for next year's adventure? Or any other adventure in 2013? Doug, I will be going to Gravelly in 2013, date(s) is/are unconfirmed.
Be sure to view the photos of the trip. They are fantastic!
Awesome pics. Pretty inhospitable areas, but beautiful.
Careful of posting too much fun flying adventures. Government will notice and try to figure out how to tax the fun. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
I may have more of your pictures on my hard drive than I do of my own.
Hello Ian,
I use top-quality MoGas when operating from my home base. I have been doing this for many years. It is rare to find MoGas when traveling so I use 100LL then. Still, around 90% ends up being MoGas. It has 10% Ethanol in it, which has not been a problem.
Steve
Hi Stephen. Are you running AvGas or MoGas in your Jabiru 3300A?
great adventure, I want to fly my 750 with you guys someday. I am still working on it in Alaska, I plan to start flying it this spring.
Another enjoyable lunchtime virtual vacation! Thanks Steve!
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