Even though biking has, traditionally, been one of the most unsafe activities I’ve engaged in, I still love it and practice it often. I do enjoy a good route on a bike, especially to spend a day out and about. However, I try to look for bike lanes or trails (and avoid public roads) as much as possible. San Antonio, Texas is a great city for just that: a day trip to get some exercise, soak in a little history, and/or have some good food. You can three-wheel (fly your airplane) your two-wheel (with your bicycle) into town via the cute and historic Stinson Municipal Airport (KSSF). The Airport is proud to be the second oldest General Aviation airport (after College Park) in continuous operation in the country. In 2015, Stinson celebrated its 100-year anniversary. While Google Maps’ biking option is certainly a good tool to use to get around, the City of San Antonio has developed some helpful biking trail maps. From Stinson, one should start with the Mission Trail Out & Back one. The 20-mile trail (from end to end) encompasses four Spanish Colonial missions built along the San Antonio River to house Spanish missionaries and local Coahuiltecan Indians beginning in the 1720s. This trail is almost entirely on bicycle paths. Since the City opted (for some reason I don’t understand) not to show their wonderful airport on the map, I have modified it here to show it to you in relation to the established biking trails. Two of the four missions are south of Stinson and the other two are north of the Airport. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next and, along with the Alamo, these missions have collectively been designated the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Depending on how much time you have, how many miles you want to ride, and/or what other activities you want to indulge in (such as walking the riverwalk, golfing, picnic, kayaking, or eating at a restaurant), one can design different routes. The Mission Trail, to the north, joins in with downtown San Antonio and four other established bike routes (though not entirely on bike lanes or paths):
The 4-page map in this link may provide the most amount of detailed information about the San Antonio River Walk Hike/Bike/Paddle paths. This map also provides other trail variations, from Stinson. For more information about downtown bike lanes and parking racks, refer to the map below. If you cannot bring your bicycle in your airplane (due to lack of space or weight and balance, for example), there’s nothing to worry about. KSSF has a convenient BCycle rental station at 8535 Mission Road, immediately in front of the FBO. If, for whatever reason that station is out of bicycles, there are two others (Acequia Park and Mission San Juan) within a mile. All three stations have both classic bikes and electric bikes for those longer rides. There are many great restaurants along all of the trails mentioned but especially in downtown, along the riverwalk, and in the Pearl Brewery complex. However, keep in mind Stinson has a restaurant at the old terminal, too. It’s called Gate One. Fly and bike, safe and often! (Fellow pilot Bruce Bream has a wonderful listing of many airports, by state, with bike lanes nearby on his website: www.rovingbits.com/FlyBike/FlyBike.html)
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Galveston is a coastal resort city, island, and port (cargo and pleasure) less than 50 miles southeast of Houston. The mid-1870s to the mid-1890s was the apex of Galveston’s prosperity and importance as a city. The downtown area became the Wall Street of the Southwest. But everything was devastated by a 15-foot storm surge during the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 that flooded the City. It was rebuilt and, thankfully, some of the historic homes still stand to tell the story of what once was. Galveston is a great place to fly down for the day or the weekend, all year round. My mom Maria-Angel, my sister Yanira, my niece Luna and I recently took a “girls' trip” down to Galveston for the day. We flew to Scholes International Airport at Galveston (KGLS) by way of NASA Johnson Space Center and Kemah for some aerial sightseeing. The water was particularly blue and beautiful that day, which was nice to see. The air was crisp and smooth. My little copilot was happier at the controls but understood when it was time for me to take over. Luna is 4 years old and, therefore, still required to sit in a car seat when in a car. We did not bring one with us; therefore, taking the FBO’s courtesy car or calling an Uber was not an option but walking or catching a ride in the FBO’s golf cart was. The FBO was gracious enough to take us to Moody Gardens in their golf cart (which added to my niece’s adventure) and then we simply walked back. It’s only a half a mile away. I guess Moody Gardens can be considered a theme park; it has an aquarium, a rainforest, a museum, 3D and 4D theaters, a paddlewheel boat, a spa, a golf course, and a waterpark. It also has restaurants (we ate outside by the water), a hotel, and a convention center. During the Christmas holidays, it also offers a festival of lights. It’s just a great spot to spend the day with kids. (Yes, Luna is wearing airplane leggings and has clothing with helicopters, rockets, and other aeronautics/space related items as well. <3) In addition to Moody Gardens’ waterpark, the famous (at least “Texas famous”) Schlitterbahn franchise has a bigger waterpark between the Airport and the Gardens as well. Another obvious activity one can do while in Galveston is go to the beach. There is beach access down 83rd St, about a mile away. Easy! Several restaurants and hotels can also be found up and down the seawall. If you take the courtesy car, rent a car, or hitch a ride, many more possibilities open up. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is an amusement park on a boardwalk, over the ocean. The Strand, as Galveston’s downtown area is called, has several restaurants and shops, some art galleries, the Texas Seaport Museum (where the Elissa sailboat resides), and the Grand 1894 Opera House, among other things. One can also watch cruise ships, ferries, and big ships come and go through the Galveston Channel near The Strand. The nearby Naval Museum is also interesting. Additionally, there are companies that offer walking tours of historic mansions, ghost/haunted tours, Segway or ebike tours, duck boat tours, fishing charters, and dolphin watching tours. Everybody enjoyed the day trip but it's possible I enjoyed it the most. Sharing my passion for flying/aviation with "my girls" is special. This was also Luna’s first cross country (we’ve been building up to it during a few previous flights) but she’s ready for another one. So, it’s in the works. Who do you enjoy sharing flying with?
Fly safe, fly often! (Updated on October 21, 2020) Do you recall “… I remember that old Frio River where I learned to swim…” from the song “All my ex’s live in Texas” by George Strait? Well, that is precisely what this blog is about. My husband and I enjoy visiting the Texas Hill Country. I particularly like the area comprised of the Frio, Sabinal, and Nueces rivers and its associated little towns and activities. It’s my favorite part of Texas so let this serve as my tribute to it 😉 To place the area on the map, think of it as being about 65 miles west of San Antonio. However, it is easier to access it via aircraft than via car since there isn’t a straight road to it. It’s a 0.7 hour flight (at 110 kts) or a 1.7 hour drive from San Antonio. It also features beautiful country to fly over. Source: Google Maps and Microsoft PowerPoint As the Texas Hill Country River Region (THCRR) website (https://www.visituvaldecounty.com/p/rivers/308) states, “the Frio River winds through the heart of the Texas Hill Country, running shallow and crystal clear with spring-fed waters. When you go for a dip in the Frio, you’ll love the pretty views overhead, including the tall limestone bluffs, big cypress trees, and stunning birds. If you’re looking for a great place to fish, canoe, kayak or tube, this river’s for you.” The word "frío” is Spanish for cold, a clear reference to the coolness of the river – perfect for those hot summer months. The river can be accessed in multiple ways: 1) via Garner State Park, 2) via any of the river outfitters in the area, 3) by staying at a cabin or RV park along the river, 4) by visiting a day use area, or 5) by parking near any of the river crossings (but keep an eye on the street signs to make sure it’s legal). Besides the Frio River, several Texas State Parks (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/) are very close by. Garner State Park (GSP) is often voted “Texas’ most popular state park” and it’s not by mistake. In addition to the pretty river, the camping and hiking opportunities (especially hiking up Old Baldy which offers panoramic views of the area) are quite awesome. And let’s not forget the “jukebox dances” that have been happening since the early 1940s. Lost Maples State Natural Area (SNA) is the only maple forest in Texas and it is very popular in the fall when leaves change color. View from Old Baldy at Garner State Park View from the East Trail at Lost Maples SNA The area is also known for caves and Mexican free-tailed bats like to visit them during the summer months. The Kickapoo Caverns State Natural Area and the Frio Cave (www.friobatflight.com) are two of the most famous places to visit to see them come out just after sunset. Bats are quite the aviators! They’re impressive to see. Pictures above from the Frio Cave I know there are several pilots who are also motorcycle aficionados. This area is well known by bike riders as well. Ready to visit? Your best two options, flying wise, are Real County Airport (49R) (https://www.airnav.com/airport/49R) in Leakey or Garner Field Airport (KUVA) in Uvalde (https://www.airnav.com/airport/KUVA). 49R is my preferred option because it brings you to the middle of the action; however, keep in mind they don’t have fuel, the Airport does not have a courtesy car, and there is no rental car or taxi service in town. Source: SkyVector If you’re planning a long stay or want ground transportation, KUVA may be your best bet as you can rent a car and explore. While there, you may be able to check out Lancair’s manufacturer (https://lancair.com/about/) and grab a bite to eat at the Hangar 5 Air Cafe (https://hangar6aircafe.com/) as well. However, if you’re only planning on visiting for a weekend and just want to relax and play in the river, definitely consider 49R. The pavement was recently redone and it looks fantastic, too. I can suggest the Frio Pecan Farm (https://friopecanfarm.com/) or the Frio River Landing (https://frioriverlanding.com/) for both lodging and fun! The Frio River Landing only offers a cottage for 10 people but it’s within walking distance from the ramp. The pecan farm has cabins and houses of all sizes and types and, while it’s a couple of miles away, they can arrange for transportation to/from the Airport. Once there, and especially if you bring a cooler with some food and drinks with you, there won’t be much else you’ll need for the weekend. The pecan farm is a destination in itself and has a pizza joint during the summer months. The Frio Pecan Farm with 49R's runway on the top part of the photo (page North/South) During your trip to the Frio River, you may also consider a hop over to the Ox Ranch. FMI, visit https://airtrails.weebly.com/texas/ox-hunting-ranch-in-the-texas-hill-country
And, if you like history, the following link talks about a time when Charles Lindbergh crash landed near Camp Wood: https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/07/02/texas-swimming-holes-discover-the-hidden-wonders-of-nueces-river/ Get out and explore! Fly safe and fly often! One should never underestimate the drawing power of a good burger. By Alice Levitt 6/20/2016 at 12:00 am
Published in the July 2016 issue of Houstonia Magazine Source: http://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2016/6/20/100-dollar-burger-run-aviation-planes-july-2016 It’s a clear day, and the waters of The Woodlands shimmer from 3,000 feet. Piloting a rented Piper Archer III, Yasmina Platt glides through the air, even letting a companion take the wheel of the light little plane for a time as they make their way from the Houston Executive Airport in Brookshire to the Conroe–North Houston Regional Airport. Then Platt circles for a bit, waiting for the go-ahead to begin her descent. The purpose of the 15-minute flight? To eat a delicious burger. As Platt walks into the airport, a sign directs her to “climb and maintain for 280 feet for good eating.” In other words: take the elevator to the third floor to find the Black Walnut Café, co-owned by airplane enthusiast Haydar Kustu. He meets Platt and a reporter at the restaurant, where they plan to indulge in the ritual known as the “$100 hamburger run.” The tradition of taking a short plane trip to a nearby small airport—just to have a meal—dates back at least a few decades. Pilot John Purner, who runs 100dollarhamburger.com, a catalogue of the best airport diners, wrote The $100 Hamburger: A Guide to Pilots’ Favorite Fly-In Restaurants in 1998. The $100 number, however, is a bit outdated. Platt calculates that rental costs, plus fuel for a round trip, today costs closer to $130. While the practice is more about flying than food, one should never underestimate the power of a good burger. “$100 burger joints are getting people excited about aviation,” says Platt, who is both the Central Southwest regional manager for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and a flight instructor. Since the 1980s, the number of pilots in the United States has declined from 827,000 to a bit over 600,000. Meanwhile, our culture’s food obsession continues to build at a fever pitch. At Black Walnut in Conroe, it’s clear which crowd Kustu wants to attract: The menu features an actual $100 burger, a seven-ounce Angus chuck patty covered in melted mozzarella, lettuce, onion and tomato and served on an onion bun with fries. It’s well-made if unexceptional, but for $100, diners get the usually-$9 burger, plus a $100 gift card. In effect, that juicy patty is free to anyone who buys the card. Platt waves to friends, and they gather to chat about their planes as she nibbles on a burger. “It’s like if you meet at a bar and you talk about the parts on your Harley,” she explains. “We’re gonna go flying either way, but that’s our excuse.” Social media has helped the cause of the $100 hamburger run. Platt says that often when she posts on Twitter and Facebook that she and a few friends are planning on hitting a particular airport, other pilots will take the opportunity to meet up, too. Because of that, it’s not uncommon for a weekend jaunt to turn into something like an aerial tailgate party. Today is actually a two-$100-run day for Platt. When she leaves Conroe for the Brenham Municipal Airport, it’s clear that she’s not alone in craving one of Southern Flyer Diner’s exquisite malted chocolate milkshakes. In her hands, the Piper sails to the ground almost as though there’s no difference between air and tarmac, onto an airstrip surrounded by bluebonnets. Once inside, the image is less pastoral—at 3 p.m., there’s an hour wait. “It’s a popular place,” Platt shrugs. Piloting seems to work up an appetite: Finally seated, she gets a plate of catfish to go with her shake, which should sustain her through the half-hour return trip to Brookshire. The quirky spot, owned along with the airport by Jack Hess, has been on the top of Purner’s list since its 2002 inception for its unbeatable shakes and chipper teenage waitresses in poodle skirts. Even for non-pilots, planes are part of the appeal. A waterside porch here also boasts a view of the airfield, and families gawk as servicemen jump into their helicopters after lunch. Yes, the fried catfish with sweet hush puppies and homemade slaw is worth driving in for, but as the next generation watches diners take off, visions of $100 hamburgers may be dancing in their heads. Disclaimer: I have not visited this place myself yet but I have all the best intentions to because it looks great! I was recently looking for "things to do and see" in the "Frio River" area of the Texas Hill Country for a weekend trip my husband and I are planning and, to my surprise, came across the nearby Ox Hunting Ranch in Uvalde. The 18,000+ acre ranch is famous for whitetail deer hunting, buffalo hunting, turkey hunting, hog hunting, and over 40 other species. I'll admit I'm not a hunter nor do I have aspirations of becoming one but, wow, the Ox Hunting Ranch is soooo much more than hunting (with all kinds of machinery, too). They offer all kinds of cool activities for all types of people. Some of the activities include hiking, 4x4 off roading (you can bring your own vehicles or rent from them), rappelling, spelunking (cave exploration), fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding, bird watching, farm and safari type animals, survival and bushcraft training, yoga, jet (water) skiing, tubing and wakeboarding, swimming, tank driving (yes! a World War II military tank), stargazing, etc. I mean if someone can't find an activity of their liking, something is really wrong! ;) I'm not going to lie... the cave exploration, hiking, 4x4 off roading, kayaking, stargazing, and jet skiing have me all excited! And, you know what the best part is? They have a private runway you can use to visit the ranch! :) Airport name and identifier: Ox Ranch Airport (01TX). 23NM north, northwest of the KUVA (Uvalde) airport. Runway 17/35: 5,800 x 70 ft Paved Instrument marked and painted Elevation is about 1,293 ft. No fuel onsite. If by chance your GPS does not have the airport in its database yet, the coordinates near the center of the runway are: N 29 27.632, W 100 06.870. Remember that it is a "private own, private use" airport so you will need permission to use it prior to landing. Photos courtesy of www.oxhuntingranch.com The website does not have pricing information but I called and, from what I understood, you are either going hunting or you're not going hunting... Based on that, they give you different package options. They are normally 3 day/2 night options for 6+ people. The packages are all inclusive (lodging, meals, runway usage, and activities). It's not the cheapest of the places but I'm not aware of any other place quite like it.
So, as I said before... we have not flown or been to it yet. If you have or will before we do, please let me know your thoughts. Feedback and suggestions are always encouraged! Texas is huge! It is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. And, because of that, it’s best traveled via aircraft! :) I have to tell you… when I moved to Texas from Spain, I thought all I would see were cowboys, horses and very dry land. I have since learned that most “wild wild west movies” portrayed west Texas and Texas is actually quite different as you travel through it. According to Wikipedia, “due to its size and geologic features (such as the Balcones Fault), Texas contains diverse landscapes that resemble both the southern and southwestern parts of the country. Although Texas is popularly associated with the southwestern deserts, less than 10 percent of Texas' land area is actually desert. Most of the population centers are located in areas of former prairies, grasslands, forests, and the coastline. Traveling from east to west, one can observe terrain that ranges from oastal swamps and piney woods, to rolling plains and rugged hills, and finally the desert and mountains of the Big Bend.” So, I hope this air trail gives you a good overview of what Texas is all about! And, for the most part, it involves easy flying: mostly flat terrain, with most elevations close to sea level, with lots of open airspace, and the metro areas have lots of airports to choose from for varying levels of comfort with airspace, traffic and ATC! The following figures help give you a visual of the proposed route and stops. Figure 1. Route Overview Figure 2. First Half of the Route (south side) (see reference to locations in Figure 4) Figure 3. Second Half of the Route (north side) (see reference to locations in Figure 4) Figure 4. References to Locations on Previous Sectionals Or, for easier reference, you can view the route in a screenshot of ForeFlight. Figure 5. Route on ForeFlight Source: ForeFlight Keep in mind that the route between San Antonio and the Big Bend area can put you directly in Mexican airspace if you fly "direct." The ForeFlight route above adds Terrell County (6R6) as a waypoint to avoid it. Also keep in mind that some of these airports may not offer fuel. Please plan accordingly! You may also want to pack a set of tie downs for your aircraft. If you decide to do part or the entire route and use social media, we would love for you to use #TexasAirTrail as a hashtag. Fly safe, fly often! Enjoy this Air Trail! Legend A few symbols have been added throughout the route to make it easy for readers to identify the facilities and activities each airport/area has at a quick glance. Figure 6. Symbol Legend Route 1. Houston Houston is where my husband and I live so I am sorry if I am a bit biased here. What airport to fly into? Hmmm… you have lots of great airports to choose from. I would recommend you review the airspace and see what you feel most comfortable with. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Controlled or uncontrolled? Class D and/or Class B ok? Do you need a hangar? Is there a particular destination within Houston you have in mind? Is it close to your intended airport? Three of the area airports have restaurants onsite:
Three other area airports have onsite museums. William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) is home to the 1940 Air Terminal and the West Houston Airport (KIWS), is home to the Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Their museum is normally open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. Ellington Field (KEFD) also has a museum called the Texas Flying Legends Museum. In addition, Galveston’s Lone Star Flight Museum will soon be moving to Ellington Field. Houston has a VFR corridor that runs east to west (and viceversa) over interstate I-10. It is easy to transition through it and ATC can provide you with flight following. Take a look at the Houston Terminal Area Chart for more information, especially as it relates to Class B's boundaries and altitudes. Also remember to fly south of the highway when traveling west to east and north of the highway when traveling east to west. The corridor provides great views of the city, including the Galleria and downtown. Figure 7. Aerial View of Downtown Houston and the Medical Center over the I-10 Corridor My other website has more things to see and do while in Houston than you probably need. Anything from outdoor theaters to restaurants to parks to museums… you name it, it’s there! 2. Galveston Galveston is a short and enjoyable flight from the Houston area. Scholes International at Galveston Airport (KGLS) is your only option. While I mentioned above that Galveston’s Lone Star Flight Museum will soon be moving to Ellington Field, it is still in Galveston and you should plan a visit. Once on the ground in Galveston, you can also visit the Bolivar Peninsula, the Galveston Island State Park, old mansions like Bishop's Palace (1866 Victorian castle) or Moody Mansion, walk the decks of the 1877 tall ship Elissa (second-oldest operational sailing vessel in the world), have lunch and shop on the Strand (a 36-block National Historic Landmark District that was once Texas's second busiest port), catch a sandcastle competition, walk around downtown, have fun at Pleasure Pier's amusement park rides, visit the Moody Gardens for aquariums and exhibits, visit the Ocean Star - Offshore Drilling Rig Museum, watch a show at the Grand 1894 Opera House, or just lay down on the beach. This link has a list of best beaches around. Galveston also has a Schlitterbahn water park however it’s nothing like New Braunfels’ (read more about this later). If you want to explore areas outside of Galveston, you can take the ferry to Crystal Beach or fly to (with prior permission because it is a private airport) the Tiki Beach Bar and Grill’s private runway. 3. Port Aransas The Mustang Beach Airport (KRAS) is especially popular during Spring Break. La Barataria Restaurant and Bar is only 0.2 miles from KRAS inside the Island Moorings Yatch Club and Marina and they offer complementary transportation to/from the airport. Amelia's Landing is an aviation themed hotel and, if you are an adrenaline seeker, Skydive South Texas operates out of KRAS. While the beach and other destinations are within walking (if you don’t mind walking a mile) or biking distance, the owner of Skydive South Texas can also rent you a golf cart to get around. 4. New Braunfels New Braunfels is a fun place to visit and one of my husband’s favorite weekend getaways. There are lots of things to do, especially if you don’t mind getting wet ;) Why? The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers run through the city and New Braunfels is home to nationally known Schlitterbahn’s water park. Both of the rivers offer great kayaking and tubing. The Comal even includes a man-made chute. Canyon Lake is north of New Braunfels and 80 miles of scenic shoreline. If you plan on visiting it, I recommend you drive the very scenic River Road to get there. New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by a group of German farmers and craftsmen. In fact, German cuisine and bakery can still be enjoyed. In addition, the city hosts an annual Wurstfest festival every November. Looking for something more relaxing? Golfing, camping along the Guadalupe River, or walking through Land Park are great options. Want a little history? New Braunfels’ Main Plaza was built in 1845 and Gruene is a very historic and cute town within New Braunfels with great shops and restaurants. If you do not mind driving a little bit, you can also visit the Natural Bridge Caverns west of New Braunfels. For more information, visit New Braunfels’ Tourism website. The New Braunfels Regional Airport (KBAZ) is the City’s airport. 5. San Antonio It may be no surprise to you that San Antonio is a pretty tourist city due to its history, with the Alamo being the main attraction. But let’s not forget that the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park spotlights four Spanish colonial missions. Along with the Alamo, these missions have collectively been designated the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. The Mission Trail Out & Back is about a 20 mile trail covering all four of the missions built along the San Antonio River dating back to the 1720s. The Stinson Municipal Airport is just south of the San Jose Burial Park. FMI on bike lanes, visit: http://www.sanantonio.gov/SABikes/MapsAndTrails.aspx. The B with a circle shows nearby bike rental locations. And talking about the Stinson Municipal Airport (KSSF)... KSSF is a cute and historic airport. You’ll enjoy the original terminal. In it, you can also find the Brown Bag Sandwich Shop and the Texas Air Museum is based at KSSF as well. Figures 8 and 9. Pictures of the Stinson Field Terminal The Riverwalk is, of course, also very popular, especially among couples looking for a romantic night. The Historic Market Square is a traditional Mexican shopping area boasting 100 shops over 3-blocks, with apparel, handcrafts and food galore. For more ideas, visit San Antonio’s Tourism website. 6. Big Bend Area For information about the Big Bend area, read my other blog titled “Combining Flight Training with Tourism – a Trip to the Big Bend Area In Texas.” 7. Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and Llano Mooney Aircraft is manufactured at the Kerrville Municipal / Louis Schreiner Field Airport (KERV). With some advanced notice, you may be able to get a tour of the factory. In addition to Mooney, Kerrville has antique shops, several restaurants, a few parks, art galleries and museums. The Gillespie County Airport (T82) in Fredericksburg is a place to go for everybody and not just pilots. The popular Hangar Hotel and Conference Center and Airport Diner are often visited by non-pilots. I found two articles that talk about Fredericksburg and these beautiful facilities:
Figure 10. T82's Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner But, in addition to the airport facilities, Fredericksburg also offers wineries. Fredericksburg’s Wine Road 290 is in the heart of Texas wine country. Fifteen different wineries can be found along U.S. Highway 290 although you may feel like you’re in Central Italy or the Rhone Valley in France. Llano is the last of the small towns that I’m highlighting in the “Texas Hill Country” but you could visit plenty more. The Llano Municipal Airport (KAQO) has become a familiar event host for different fly-ins and Short Takeoffs and Landing (STOL) competitions in recent years. The secondary grass runway and ample parking space is part of the reason why. Cooper’s Old Time Bar-B-Que brings a good portion of the rest of the visitors. Figure 11. 2016's STOL competition in Llano Update (8/22/2016): The Texas STOL Roundup competition is being moved from Llano to Hondo (KHDO) started on September 30, 2016. The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is worth hiking between Fredericksburg and Llano. And, if you fly between Fredericksburg and Llano, don’t forget to look for it from the air as well. When I’ve been there, I’ve seen a number of drones/UAS flying around so keep an eye for them. Figure 12. Picture of Enchanted Rock 8. Austin Austin is the Capital of Texas. The Capitol building (http://www.tspb.texas.gov/) is a must visit. Figure 13. The Texas Capitol In addition, here are some other awesome things you can do while in Austin: - Scuba dive or rent a boat to cruise around Lake Travis. If you are looking for a restaurant with really good views, you can try the Oasis (http://oasis-austin.com/). - Barton Springs Pool (http://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool) is a natural pool (one of my favorite spots in town!) in Zilker Park near downtown Austin. - If you are looking for walking or biking trails, the Butler Trail (http://www.thetrailfoundation.org/explore/about-the-butler-trail/) is a good start. You can rent bikes from Austin B-Cycle (https://austin.bcycle.com/). - Another good place for hiking is Mount Bonnell (http://austinparks.org/parks/Mount%20Bonnell/), which provides great views of the city and surrounding water features. - Rowing is also an option in Austin, on the Colorado River. - Just prior to sunset, you can watch Mexican bats fly from under the Congress Ave bridge (http://www.viator.com/Austin-attractions/Congress-Avenue-Bridge-Bats-tours-tickets/d5021-a7723?pref=204) as they leave to grab a meal! - Austin is home to the University of Texas (http://www.utexas.edu/). - Castle Hill provides good views of downtown and has a Graffiti Park (https://www.facebook.com/CastleHillATX). Keep Austin weird! If you do not mind leaving Austin a little bit... the Hamilton Pool Preserve (https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool) is worth visiting but remember to reserve your spot beforehand, especially during the summer months. Austin Executive Airport (KEDC) and Austin Bergstorm International Airport (KAUS) are the closest airports to town; however, I would not ignore Lakeway Airpark (3R9) and Spicewood Airport (88R) as they are great little airports to fly into, especially if you're looking for a more scenic and challenging approach and runway ;) Read their restrictions prior to going though. 9. Waco Baylor University has made quite a few facility improvements lately, to include their football stadium. Magnolia Market is owned by the popular couple (Chip and Joanna Gaines) on HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” home improvement TV show. Waco offers a number of outdoor activities, its downtown is designated as a cultural district, and a number of museums are available as well. Waco has three airports for you to choose from: Waco Regional Airport (KACT), TSTC Waco Airport (KCNW) where Texas State Technical College's aviation program is based out of, and McGregor Executive Airport (KPWG). Refer to http://wacoheartoftexas.com/ for more things to see and do. 10. Amarillo Palo Duro Canyon State Park opened on July 4, 1934 and contains acres of scenic land. The Canyon is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet. Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level. Palo Duron Canyon is often claimed to be the largest canyon in the United States behind the Grand Canyon. The canyon was formed by water erosion from the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. The water deepens the canyon by moving sediment downstream. Early Spanish Explorers are believed to have discovered the area and dubbed the canyon “Palo Duro” which is Spanish for “hard wood” in reference to the abundant mesquite and juniper trees. Just west of Amarillo, you can find the colorful Cadillac Ranch. For other things to do and see in Amarillo, visit http://www.visitamarillo.com/. Tradewind Airport (TDW) and River Falls Airport (H81) are the closest airports to Palo Duro. 11. Dallas and Fort Worth (DFW) Like Houston, the DFW area has a lot of airports to choose from. Here is a sample of them and the reasons that make them unique:
And, similar to the Bennetts Airport and AirBnb setup… the Kezer Air Ranch Airport (61TE) (http://www.kezerairranch.com/), although a bit further from the DFW area, will soon have four small tiny house cabins available for rent. January 1, 2017 is the target date for grand opening. Keep in mind this is a private use airport so prior permission to landing is required. Like any big metro area, the DFW area has everything you can think of. Here are some ideas: - Coyote Drive-in Theater right by downtown Fort Worth: http://coyotedrive-in.com/fortworth/ - There are three Hyena's Comedy Club locations (Dallas, Ft Worth and Plano): http://www.hyenascomedynightclub.com/ - Ft Worth Stockyards National Historic District with traditional cowboy things, restaurants and shops: http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/ - Another "cowboy" type place is Billy Bob's, the largest honky tonk: http://billybobstexas.com/ - The 6th Floor Museum at Delay Plaza in Dallas where President JFK was shot: http://www.jfk.org/ - The George W. Bush Library and Museum is housed inside the George W. Bush Presidential Center, located on the campus of Southern Methodist University. - Both downtowns (Ft Worth and Dallas) are worth a walk For more touristic things to do and see, visit this (https://www.fortworth.com/) for Ft Worth and this (http://www.visitdallas.com/) for Dallas. 12. College Station Texas A&M University is the oldest public university in Texas offering almost 400 different degrees. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University is dedicated to preserving and remembering George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States. The Easterwood Field Airport (KCLL) can be pretty busy on (Texas A&M) game days. 13. Brenham Brenham Municipal Airport’s (11R) popular Southern Flyer Diner is always busy but especially on weekends. They are mostly known for their Bluebell Ice-cream floats, milkshakes, and malts. Houstonia Magazine recently wrote an article about this restaurant. The airport is particularly pretty during spring when the wild flowers are blooming, including the famous Texas flower - the bluebonnet. Figure 14. Wild Flowers Blooming at 11R People used to be able to take tours (http://bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/visiting_blue_bell/VisitBB_Brenham.html) of the Blue Bell Ice cream Factory but those have been suspended for now. Have Additional Time and Coming From or Going To the East/Northeast? The AOPA Central Southwest Regional Page covering NM, TX, LA, OK, AR, KS, MO, NE and IA has a blog on “friendly airports and helipads” with a list of those that have an on-site restaurant, aviation museum, camping, and/or aircraft viewing area, etc that you may consider stopping at on your way to/from the route.
Sources for Additional Information For more tourism information, visit https://www.tourtexas.com/. Not sure how exactly you are going to get around once on the ground at some of these locations? Looking for ways to bring a bike or canoe with you? Take a look at this blog I recently published for some ideas. Other Want a reward for completing the #TexasAirTour? You can buy yourself this cool looking T-shirt. Written by the author, Yasmina Platt. Reprint from January 13, 2015, from AOPA's Views From the Region (VFR) blog: https://blog.aopa.org/vfr/?p=2007 Joey Colleran, AOPA’s Director of the Airport Support Network (ASN) program, and I recently embarked on a training flight to the Big Bend area in “Far West Texas.” Joey is a private pilot who was looking to get current and proficient while learning about mountain and instrument flying. I was her lucky flight instructor for the trip. The Big Bend area and forecasted weather provided us with all the characteristics we were looking for, it is a jewel of a place, and it’s hard to get to any other way. And, yes, it also allowed us to do some sightseeing by joining a river trip down the Rio Grande, separating the U.S. and Mexico. I guess we can say that the Big Bend area spans from Presidio, north to Marfa and Alpine, and east to Marathon before heading south to the east edge of the national park that borders Mexico. The area is home to Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park, one of only two national parks in Texas (and one of only 15 Texas areas recognized by the NPS – National Park System). The area offers many exciting activities, from simple sightseeing to more adventurous activities like rafting or horseback riding. The Brewster County Tourism Council says that getting to the area “can be half the fun” and I happen to agree 100% if you fly GA. =) The closest commercial airports are in Midland/Odessa (235 miles from the national park) and El Paso (330 miles away) and services (such as hospitals, full groceries stores, etc) are also considerably far so general aviation is the best way to get around. General Aviation has also been creating jobs and saving lives in this remote area. TxDOT-Aviation’s recent article explains what airport improvements to the Presidio Lely International Airport (KPRS) are doing for the region. So, the day after Christmas, we departed Austin (where she currently resides) heading west, then southwest. A cold front was moving in from New Mexico which created strong headwinds for us, preventing us from seeing anything over 80 kts groundspeed and forcing us to stop at Kimble County Airport (KJCT) in Junction for fuel. However, that same weather did provide us with some good IFR/IMC training conditions for half the trip and great VFR and aerial sightseeing conditions for the last part of the route. VFR on top during the first part of the trip, giving us the opportunity for an actual GPS approach into KJCT for fuel The clouds started to break around the Del Rio area, giving us great views of the Sierra del Carmen Mountains in Mexico The U.S.-Mexico border, easily identified by the Rio Grande We then hugged the U.S-Mexico border before heading southwest, where we also lost contact with ATC controllers (Albuquerque Center), cancelled our IFR flight plan, and continued VFR. If you want to use navigation equipment in addition to piloting and good-ole dead reckoning to help you stay out of Mexican airspace, Terrell County Airport (6R6) is a good one to use. Getting closer to the Big Bend area and starting to see pretty mountainous terrain, including the Chisos Mountains. At this point, we started to discuss the risks of mountain flying, high terrain, high density altitude, etc. We soon started to see those remote, private, backcountry strips we had identified on the sectional as potential emergency landing fields. Some of those were dirt, gravel, or a combination of things. This one here is Stovall Ranch Nr 4 Airport (6TX9). This is a picture of Persimmon Gap Ranch Airport (TA64) in the distance. Notice it is a bit uphill. The picture above shows Terlingua Ranch Airport (1E2) although it is very far from the town of Terlingua itself. This looks like a fun and challenging place to fly in and out of. The dirt strip C. Fulcher Ranch Airport (3TE8) is in the picture above. Since we only stayed in the area one night given our busy schedules, we decided it was best for us to stay in Lajitas, located between the two parks. The Lajitas Golf and Spa Resort has its own private airport with fuel called Lajitas International Airport (89TE) and offers complementary transportation to and from the hotel and airport. They also have a few rental Jeeps for their customers. Crossing over the town of Terlingua, just east of Lajitas Entering left downwind for 7 at 89TE Turning final for runway 7, which was shortened recently (we initially thought it was being lengthened) We had a very pleasant experience at 89TE; Clayton Choate, the airport manager, was very nice and helpful. He can be reached at (432) 424-3544. However, if you enjoy camping, hiking, etc, Big Bend Ranch State Park Airport (3T9), which is less than 20 NM away, may be a better option for you. Joey and I love that kind of thing but this trip’s mission was more about flight training for us than tourism and adventure. The state owned airport also offers complementary transportation to and from their park and the airport but they do not have fuel onsite. Barrett Durst is the person in charge of 3T9 and he can be reached at (432) 358-4444, ext. 224. Both of these airports are “private use only” so pilots are required to call ahead and receive permission to land from the respective airport managers. During that time, they will advise you of operational procedures, frequencies, airport notams, fuel availability, etc. Our flight back was mostly overcast once we left the Big Bend area so we could not do too much aerial sightseeing. However, our scenery was still beautiful…
A lot of people, including native Texas and longtime Texas residents, have never been to Big Bend due to its remote location and inaccessibility and several pilots and AOPA members looking to do for some backcountry/mountain/recreational flying have asked me about this trip so I thought I’d write a blog about it. I encourage all of you to try it for yourself. If you are looking for other places to visit in different parts of Texas or the Central Southwest Region, the “friendly airports” blog I wrote about a year ago may also be helpful to you. |
BLOGS ON THIS PAGE- Biking from Stinson Airport
- The Queen City of the Gulf - Galveston, TX - That Old Frio River - The Texas Air Trail - Visiting the Lone Star State! - Combining Flight Training with Tourism... a Trip to the Big Bend Area in Texas - Ox Hunting Ranch in the Texas Hill Country - The $100 Hamburger Run: A Plane Ride With the Works AuthorYasmina Platt. Archives
May 2022
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