A aviation & planes forum. AviationBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AviationBanter forum » rec.aviation newsgroups » Piloting
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Flying into Talladega for a race (KASN)



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 26th 05, 08:02 PM
bdl
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Flying into Talladega for a race (KASN)

Cup cars are LOUD. Bring your noise cancelling headphones
from the plane. I use our Lightspeed headphones and a portable
intercom plugged into the scanner to make things bearable.


Thanks, Ron, yeah I knew that from being at some Indy Car races as
well. Did the same thing, it was nice too because we could talk to
each other over the intercom as well as listen to the scanner. As
opposed to everybody else who just had headphones. Although the squelch
had to be set just right.

I had planned to call the FBO closer to race date, but I was more
looking for a "are you nuts?" or "not a problem, done it hundreds of
times" from a pilot that had done it before.

I figure with the Nascar Air Force getting out is going to be a
problem. Since once the race is over anybody that didn't win is
heading for wherever they go.

Brian

  #2  
Old April 26th 05, 08:03 PM
john smith
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

bdl wrote:
Anybody ever flown into it on race day? I'm looking to make a trip for
the Oct 2nd Nextel Cup race. Based on the picture in airnav the field
is right next to the track.

Questions:

1. How hard is it to get in on race day? Should we fly in early,
late? I'm assuming an e-stmp program will be in effect, but I haven't
been able to find a copy of a NOTAM from previous races or anything
about special arrival/departure procedures. I'm instrument rated if
that makes any difference.


Fly in the day before and camp. The heavy iron parks on the hard
surfaces. GA gets to park on the grass closer to the track. If you get
there early, you can get a spot closer to the taxiway to get out and/or
camp next to the trees.
VFR is easier, unless the weather is actual IFR, especially departing
after the race. IFR's queue up at the departure end and VFR's are
slipped in between IFR releases. It actually works sort of like
AirVenture and SNF.
If you have the time, camp the night after the race. Enjoy a liesurely
dinner and have fun watching the departures. If you have to be to work
the next day, get up early and depart at sunrise.
It took us three hours to get from the grasss GA parking area to
position and release.
I had to startup to get to the hard surface road used as a taxiway in
the grass area. Then we pushed the aircraft 1/4-mile to the runway, then
half-way up the taxiway (1/2-mile) before climbing aboard and taxiing
for awhile until takeoff. We actually watched some aircraft ahead of us
keep their engine turning the entire time.
Order your fuel when you arrive and pay for it before you go to the
track. If you want to get out right after the race, you have to get out
of the track quickly, race to your plane, startup and taxi to the
taxiway as soon as you can. If you wait to pay for fuel after the race,
you will have a long wait (which is why it took us three hours).

2. Parking fees? Outrageous for my Piper Archer? I assume I'd get
shuffled off to some far off space in the grass and thats fine, but
just wondering about the procedures.


I don't remember if I paid one or not. If I did, it wasn't much.

3. How hard is it to get to the track?


Less than a mile to about three miles, depending upon what side of the
track your seats are on.
Sometimes someone will give you a ride if you are on the far side of the
track. Airport and aircraft parking are on the northeast side of the track.

4. How hard is it to get out? Our seats are going to be on the far
end from the airfield, and my party is not exactly a fast moving group.
I'm assuming we won't be the first to our plane for departure, so
given that, how long of a wait would be expected? If its only 2-3
hours we can kill that watching the end of race festivities, etc.


See above. Our seats were in the southwest tower. Sunset will be around
7pm. If you don't mind flying at night in the mountains in a
single-engine airplane, have at it. I don't do that anymore. If you want
VFR flight following, you are asked to wait until 25 nm from the
airport. As I wrote above, bring your camping gear and relax.

5. Our current plan is to fly into Birmingham the night before, fly
into KASN (Talladega) on race day, fly back to Birmingham that night,
then fly out the following morning (all weather permitting obviously).
Birmingham was basically the closest place we could find a hotel.
Anybody flown into Birmingham before? Did you use KBHM (Birmingham
Intl) or KEKY (Bessemer)? Any FBO tips at either of these locations
would be appreciated.


Watch the weather map for fog conditions.

6. Any other tips about the race? I've been to Busch series races at
Gateway Intl Speedway near St. Louis, but never to Talladega.


If you are in the lower portion of the tower, you will not see the cars
as they come by directly in front of you. You will hear them and you
will smell them, though. The way the track is banked in the corners, it
will be below your field of view. Another reason you will not see them
is because those around you will be standing for the first 10-20 laps.
Why? I have no idea.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!


There was a story in FLYING a year or two ago written by someone who
flew in. Have fun. Talladega was my first NASCAR race... it was a hoot!
Another reason to spend the night camping is so you can inspect the
heavy iron used by NASCAR and it's sponsors. If you are in front of the
right aircraft at the right time you my even pick up some souvenirs! (sic).
  #3  
Old April 27th 05, 02:56 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

glad to tell you all about it.


Cup cars are LOUD. Bring your noise cancelling headphones from the
plane. I use our Lightspeed headphones and a portable intercom plugged

into the scanner to make things bearable.


'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''''''''''''

I agree, and this comes from a pilot who has a cup motor about 30
inches in front of me as I fly. My Lightspeeds do a real good job altho
my hearing is gone from several years of driving racing cars. A small
block twisted up real tight is music to my ears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ben Haas
www.haaspowerair.com

  #4  
Old April 27th 05, 04:41 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I can't really comment on flying in, but I grew up in Talladega and
remember going to the races when I was younger. If you can I would
also recommend getting there the day before and camping out. It's an
interesting crowd from what I remember. Flying into Anniston may be
another option, but you would have to find a way to get to the
speedway, which is approximately 10 miles away.

Dave

  #5  
Old April 27th 05, 10:38 PM
bdl
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks, but camping isn't going to be an option. Bringing my father
along and he simple won't camp without enough alcholic beverages and
food that the plane would break the landing gear. Not to mention the
cot, folding chair, generator, etc.

Since we're staying in Birmingham, if weather is iffy I think we'll
drive. So assuming that its VFR, it doesnt seem like there's much
issue other than mountain flying near nightfall. Since birmingham is
only a 15 minute flight I'm not as concerned about that as I might be
in other circumstances.

Our seats are actually about 2/3's the way up in one of the towers
(near the finish line), based on the website we should be able to see
the back stretch, but maybe I'm wrong. Doesn't matter much to me. Just
being at the track is usually the enjoyment for me. And flying down
there of course. I didn't do the seat selection.

I had to startup to get to the hard surface road used as a taxiway in
the grass area. Then we pushed the aircraft 1/4-mile to the runway,

then
half-way up the taxiway (1/2-mile) before climbing aboard and taxiing
for awhile until takeoff. We actually watched some aircraft ahead of

us
keep their engine turning the entire time.


How long did that process take? I can't imagine pushing my airplane
3/4 of a mile! Maybe if it was downhill! What do you fly?

Luckily, I'll have plenty of fuel for my destination, so taxiing a long
time shouldnt be a problem other than heat management.

Thanks for your suggestions!

  #6  
Old April 28th 05, 02:08 AM
john smith
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

bdl wrote:
How long did that process take? I can't imagine pushing my airplane
3/4 of a mile! Maybe if it was downhill! What do you fly?


2-2.5 hours.
Very little downhill, from the south hangar area to the main taxiway.
Bonanza V35B.
  #7  
Old April 28th 05, 06:32 AM
Grumman-581
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"john smith" wrote in message
...
2-2.5 hours.
Very little downhill, from the south hangar area to the main taxiway.
Bonanza V35B.


Don't fly anything bigger than you're willing to push...


  #8  
Old April 28th 05, 11:13 PM
George Patterson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Grumman-581 wrote:

Don't fly anything bigger than you're willing to push...


Yet another reason that the older I get, the closer I get to an ultralight.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
TSA rule 49 CFR Part 1552 (or its misinterpretation) is already preventing people from flying (even renters) (long) Bay Aviator Piloting 15 October 21st 04 10:29 PM
Routine Aviation Career Guy Alcala Military Aviation 0 September 26th 04 12:33 AM
Reno Air Races -- 2600 Miles in 2 Days! Jay Honeck Piloting 88 September 25th 04 03:48 PM
The battle for Arlington Airport begins? Paul Adriance Home Built 45 March 30th 04 11:41 PM
World War II Flying 'Ace' Salutes Racial Progress, By Gerry J. Gilmore Otis Willie Military Aviation 2 February 22nd 04 04:33 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AviationBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.