Question for Reno Veterans

Incredibly, it's looking like we might be able to make an attempt at flying
to Reno for the air races in September. We've got the grandma lined up,
we've got the staffing set up -- all we need now is the weather.

I've been looking at our fly-in options, and it's looking surprisingly
bleak. I was disappointed to find that we can't fly into Reno/Stead
airport, where the air races are actually held. Worse, it looks like there
really aren't very many other nearby airports, other than Reno
International.

With their typical Class C landing fees, ramp fees, and avgas at $3.38 per
gallon, flying in commercially is almost looking to be more affordable than
flying our own plane.

Anyone got any ideas here? Is there a nearby airport that's easier and
cheaper to get into? Can anyone recommend decent lodging? (Preferably a
locally owned, non-chain hotel.)

How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
Shuttle bus? Taxis?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:32rWc.45865$Fg5.14271@attbi_s53...
[...]
With their typical Class C landing fees, ramp fees, and avgas at $3.38 per
gallon, flying in commercially is almost looking to be more affordable
than
flying our own plane.

It's air racing. What's "affordable" got to do with it? Heck, most of
the time I wind up flying myself somewhere, "affordable" doesn't really
figure into things. Every now and then, a coincidental side-effect was that
it was cheaper, but I sure don't count on that.

Anyway, the year I went, I stayed in Truckee and drove each day up to
Reno/Stead. It wasn't that bad, actually...all on interstates with high
speed limits. Of course, I had the use of my brother's car...you'd have to
rent one or find someone to carpool with. I don't know what they're
charging for overnight at Truckee now, but it was $5/night last time I
parked there and fuel's a lot cheaper than at Reno.

Sorry...I don't have any information to offer of stuff that's actually in
Reno, not having ever done more than stopped at the airport for fuel.
Speaking of which, if it's hot when you land and you land on the big runway,
don't bother trying to brake while you're on the rubber marks from the
airliners. For that matter, no point in even trying to touch down on
them...they get as slick as wet ice when the rubber heats up.

If you do find yourself in the Truckee/Tahoe City area and want to take in
some of the outdoor sights, be sure to drop by Factory Bike at Squaw Valley
Road and Highway 89 for bike rentals. It's my brother's shop...he rents
"cruisers", which are great for low key, fun rides along the river trail
that goes right by his shop (and into Tahoe City, on the north shore of Lake
Tahoe). http://www.factorybike.net Sorry, as far as I know he doesn't
offer Usenet discounts. Maybe if you tell him I sent you, he'll give you a
deal anyway.

Pete

"Jay Honeck" writes:

Incredibly, it's looking like we might be able to make an attempt at flying
to Reno for the air races in September. We've got the grandma lined up,
we've got the staffing set up -- all we need now is the weather.

Ah, the weather, that fickle friend of us pilots.

I've been looking at our fly-in options, and it's looking surprisingly
bleak. I was disappointed to find that we can't fly into Reno/Stead
airport, where the air races are actually held. Worse, it looks like there
really aren't very many other nearby airports, other than Reno
International.

That's where a friend who goes there every year flies to, and parks
at Sierra Air Center. Advanced reservations are a must according to
him.

-jav

If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden, if you've
never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the best soaring
conditions in the world.

I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That way
you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks) once and
then it is a short commute.

Jim





-How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
-Shuttle bus? Taxis?
-
-Thanks!

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That
way
you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks)
once and
then it is a short commute.


I'm in Minden, and I wouldn't mind either giving you a lift to Reno, or
perhaps borrowng my chevy malibu.

Adam

Jim Weir wrote:

If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden,
if you've never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the
best soaring conditions in the world.

I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very
nice rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the
airport. That way you only have to find out how to get a long
distance (Minden to Sparks) once and then it is a short commute.

Jim


I overnighted at Minden in June. It's a nice GA airport with a small
airport feel to it. Very easy in and out, and shouldn't be too bad a drive
up to Reno.

Mike

I would suggest Minden too - I just don't know relative distances and such
to Reno Stead.

Minden does have arguably the best conditions around. Thermal soaring up to
18,000 (practical limit due to Class A). World record altitude soaring
beyond that in mountain wave. Most importantly, the equipment and FBOs to
support some serious flying by visitors - 2 place or single. Great place

"Jim Weir" wrote in message
...
If I was doing it, I'd either go into Carson City or Minden. Minden, if
you've
never flown gliders, is sailplane heaven. Supposedly the best soaring
conditions in the world.

I'd also call John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks. Very nice
rooms, excellent food, and probably a bus to get you to the airport. That
way
you only have to find out how to get a long distance (Minden to Sparks)
once and
then it is a short commute.

Jim





-How does everyone get from their lodging to the races? Rental cars?
-Shuttle bus? Taxis?
-
-Thanks!

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

I would suggest Minden too - I just don't know relative distances and such
to Reno Stead.

Just curious: Why is everyone recommending Minden, which (on the map,
anyway) appears to be much farther from Reno than Carson City?

Something wrong with Carson City? Terrain? Runways? Ugly FBO clerks?

On paper, anyway, it looks like the airport of choice for driving up to
Reno...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Just curious: Why is everyone recommending Minden, which (on the map,
anyway) appears to be much farther from Reno than Carson City?

Something wrong with Carson City? Terrain? Runways? Ugly FBO clerks?

On paper, anyway, it looks like the airport of choice for driving up to
Reno...

Carson City is the armpit of Nevada!
Minden is only about 10-15 minutes from Carson City, and is MUCH more
beautiful.
Jobs Peak and the Sierras are breath-taking.
Minden is still very rural.
Like everyone else said, if you have the time you HAVE TO go soaring in
Minden.
It is the Mecca for all glider pilots world-wide.

As mentioned, if you stay in Minden, there are some good basque restaurants
and a couple of hotels.
Probably wouldn't be as much fun for the kids, though.

Carson City is the armpit of Nevada!

Well, that about sums it up. Thanks!

Minden is only about 10-15 minutes from Carson City, and is MUCH more
beautiful.

Is that 10 - 15 minutes by air, or by car? If it's by car (which is the
important measurement for me, at the moment), I am so THERE.

Like everyone else said, if you have the time you HAVE TO go soaring in
Minden.

Doubtful. I suspect we'll be up at Stead most of the time.

Probably wouldn't be as much fun for the kids, though.

Hee hee! No kids! Grandma's coming -- long live Grandma!

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"