Visiting USA - recommendations please..

Hello everybody.

I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I
would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn’t and couldn’t find in
my part of the world. I considered some Aerobatic training (with an
instructor just for fun) and maybe a helicopter trial flight just to see
the city from the air. I’ve had a look at the web but it’s hard to get a
feel for your industry when it’s so different and so far away. It would
be great if anybody could give me personal recommendations for
schools/instructor to have a fly with. If I’m going to do a touristy
flight does anybody have any specific route recommendations?

This will be my first time to the USA so I’m looking forward to it
immensely.


--
OzPilot
Posted at www.flight.org

"OzPilot" wrote in message
...

Hello everybody.

I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I
would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn't and couldn't find in
my part of the world. I considered some Aerobatic training (with an
instructor just for fun) and maybe a helicopter trial flight just to see
the city from the air. I've had a look at the web but it's hard to get a
feel for your industry when it's so different and so far away. It would
be great if anybody could give me personal recommendations for
schools/instructor to have a fly with. If I'm going to do a touristy
flight does anybody have any specific route recommendations?

This will be my first time to the USA so I'm looking forward to it
immensely.

If you are interested in a wide range of aviation - experimentals, warbirds,
etc., you need to spend an afternoon at the Chino airfield, east of LA. It
has several major warbird restoration shops, museums, and if you just walk
the ramp on a Saturday, you'll see a more varied collection of aviation
hardware than you'll find at any airshow short of Oshkosh.



--
OzPilot
Posted at www.flight.org

Los Angeles is a pretty big place. Do you have any idea where you are
staying? The two airports I would recommend are about 50 miles (100 klicks)
from Los Angeles International and to the best of my knowledge there isn't
any public transport between LAX and either KCNO or KAJO.

KCNO (Chino) is a homebuilder/warbird heaven. You might want to go to
www.airnav.com and dial in KCNO in the "Airports" page. Navigate the page
and you will find a whole bunch of comments about the airport and resident
aircraft.

KAJO (Corona) is more for just plain old general aviation. Real friendly
folks. Both AJO and CNO have really good on-field restaurants. Aircraft
Spruce and Specialty is a hop skip and jump away from the airport.

If you have wheels, I can think of a few more that would interest you. If
you don't, I'd find a good motel in the Corona area and make that my Los
Angeles headquarters. Like Oshkosh, you can't see one tenth of what you
would like to see in three days.

Jim

--
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
--Henry Ford

"OzPilot" wrote in message
...

Hello everybody.

I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I
would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn’t and couldn’t find in
my part of the world. I considered some Aerobatic training (with an
instructor just for fun) and maybe a helicopter trial flight just to see
the city from the air. I’ve had a look at the web but it’s hard to get a
feel for your industry when it’s so different and so far away. It would
be great if anybody could give me personal recommendations for
schools/instructor to have a fly with. If I’m going to do a touristy
flight does anybody have any specific route recommendations?

This will be my first time to the USA so I’m looking forward to it
immensely.


--
OzPilot
Posted at www.flight.org

While LA has a lot less airports now than it did a generation ago,
there are still quite a few.

AFAIK, none of the ones convenient to the center of the city offers
any sort of exotic flight options. I only patronize a couple of San
Fernando Valley ones, which have little advantage other than being
convenient for me.

There is a school at Santa Paula that does aerobatic training. They
have a Decathlon, a Super Decathlon and a Citabria. Check
them out at www.cpaviation.com Santa Paula is not even suburban
LA. You'd need a vehicle to get there. It's a nice ride through the
citrus groves and a little mountain spur to get there. I recommend
renting a motorcycle for that trip, if that suits your style and you
have a bike license with suitable experience.



On Jan 6, 6:54 am, OzPilot wrote:
Hello everybody.

I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I
would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn't and couldn't find in
my part of the world. I considered some Aerobatic training (with an
instructor just for fun) and maybe a helicopter trial flight just to see
the city from the air. I've had a look at the web but it's hard to get a
feel for your industry when it's so different and so far away. It would
be great if anybody could give me personal recommendations for
schools/instructor to have a fly with. If I'm going to do a touristy
flight does anybody have any specific route recommendations?

This will be my first time to the USA so I'm looking forward to it
immensely.

--
OzPilot
Posted atwww.flight.org

A couple things that could be considered in Los Angeles area....in Fullerton
you can try out Air Combat USA..( I quess they run out of North Las Vegas
also...???) I've never done it but sure looks fun..here's a link to them
http://www.aircombatusa.com/nfs.php

At Planes of Fame in Chino I think you can still buy a flight in a P-51 and
Stearman...I could be wrong but I know they were available at one time
http://www.planesoffame.org/

March AFB has a GREAT museum on the west side of the base

Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale

In Las egas you can try the Indoor skydiving thing...it is AWESOME!!
http://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com/

Both cities have a TON of things you can do.

HAVE FUN!!!

On Jan 6, 10:54 am, OzPilot wrote:
Hello everybody.

I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I
would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn't and couldn't find
'
It will be pretty hard to rent anything other than a standard spam can
(C172 or Warrior).

Another enjoyable flight I'll throw into the conversation is to go to
KSMO and rent a 172 and an instructor for a local flight. From SMO
you can overfly LAX midfield at about 3000 feet, which is a great view
for an aviation enthusiast, you can watch the 747's taking off below
you to head out over the ocean, then go down to Long Beach, and then
out to Catalina Island (KAVX), which is a fun place to land winds
permitting (warning: landing fee, which is pretty rare in this
country) and eat at the runway cafe, if it's too windy it's still a
cool place to circumnavigate. Then back to Long Beach, back up over
LAX again, then up the coast to Malibu, turn inland and fly next to
the hills to downtown LA then back to SMO.

I did that on a business trip to LA, enjoyed it immensely. Highly
recommend it. Great way to see the LA area.

Get out of LA early and go to Las Vegas then check out the Aerobatic
Experience in Boulder City, Nevada just south of Las Vegas. Learn about
aerobatics in the Extra 300 over the Nevada desert. Check it out:

http://aerobaticexperience.com/

Bruce Williams of Micorsoft Flight Simulator fame also bases his Extra
300 at Boulder City in the winter months. Try and get a flight with him
if you can.

http://www.bruceair.com

I've rented 172's a couple times at North Las Vegas. Do a dual flight
with an instructor, get in some sightseeing and some instruction at the
same time. it's easier and less expensive than trying to do a checkout
to take the plane out yourself.

Enjoy.

Al
1964 Skyhawk
SFF/Spokane Wa USA



OzPilot wrote:
Hello everybody.

I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I
would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn’t and couldn’t find in
my part of the world. I considered some Aerobatic training (with an
instructor just for fun) and maybe a helicopter trial flight just to see
the city from the air. I’ve had a look at the web but it’s hard to get a
feel for your industry when it’s so different and so far away. It would
be great if anybody could give me personal recommendations for
schools/instructor to have a fly with. If I’m going to do a touristy
flight does anybody have any specific route recommendations?

This will be my first time to the USA so I’m looking forward to it
immensely.

There are no commercial flight schools or rental aircraft currently
available at Henderson NV
That I am aware of.. picture could change by late March.

Best bet is North Las Vegas Airport, or Boulder City Airport. Both offer
fixed wing and helicopter flight schools.
Personal aircraft in the Grand Canyon area is restricted to very high
altitudes because of the "noise" restrictions.
Commercial air tours are available.

Glider operations are available at the Jean airport, 20 miles south of LAS.
There is a possible connection for some Acro training at either North Las
Vegas or Boulder City.

BT

"Martin Hotze" wrote in message
...
OzPilot schrieb:
I am travelling to Las Vegas (from Australia) in March for a work
conference but have three full days in Los Angeles. I thought that I

I assume that you have your papers (might need visa [?], valid passport
[maybe latest one with chip], etc.). Also bring your pilot license and
medical with you.

would use the opportunity to do some flying and maybe even take
advantage of some unusual types that you wouldn?t and couldn?t find in
my part of the world. I considered some Aerobatic training (with an
instructor just for fun) and maybe a helicopter trial flight just to see
the city from the air. I?ve had a look at the web but it?s hard to get a
feel for your industry when it?s so different and so far away. It would
be great if anybody could give me personal recommendations for
schools/instructor to have a fly with. If I?m going to do a touristy
flight does anybody have any specific route recommendations?

Las Vegas has - IIRC - 3 larger airports: LAS (McCarran), North Las Vegas
and Henderson. Henderson is more GA driven, so you might check operators
based at this airport.
You also want to consider a commercial flight to the Grand Canyon, the
Grand Canyon area has a special airspace.
For a short flight with an instructor I might either fly down the Colorado
river to Lake Havasu or up north to St George and have lunch there.
The web has some great ressources, so search ahead for tour operators,
ways to/from Henderson, etc.

This will be my first time to the USA so I?m looking forward to it
immensely.

IMHO (this is only me) I wouldn't say a word about flying at the
immigration desk.

One tip I was once given in LV: As a tourist never leave the strip at
night and walk into side streets. Never.

#m

Bt,

Personal aircraft in the Grand Canyon area is restricted to very high
altitudes because of the "noise" restrictions.


Myth alert! You can fly at 8500 to 10500 feet over much of the Canyon -
and that's been plenty impressive for this pilot.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Personal aircraft in the Grand Canyon area is restricted to very high
altitudes because of the "noise" restrictions.


Myth alert! You can fly at 8500 to 10500 feet over much of the Canyon -
and that's been plenty impressive for this pilot.

For sure. I spent an hour over the canyon, flying the specified routes --
and didn't feel like I missed a thing. It's truly a flight of a lifetime.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"