UK controline friends visiting the Reno Air races

[pipemakermike]

and then driving to Sanfrancisco.
Can anybody advise on places to visit and anything else a british stunt flyer should be doing during and after Reno

One of them is Steve Mynott who is a member of this forum but a bit shy.  I know that you chaps would like to make them welcome

[Brett Buck]

and then driving to Sanfrancisco.
Can anybody advise on places to visit and anything else a british stunt flyer should be doing during and after Reno

One of them is Steve Mynott who is a member of this forum but a bit shy.  I know that you chaps would like to make them welcome

        The 2015 "HURL" is on the 20th, whereat you can view the magnificent proceedings and see "The Drive for Five" - where the Unprecedented 4 Time Champion goes for a mind-boggling *5TH* championship. But in any case, much celebrating ensues. It's a literally unique opportunity to either view or participate. You are welcome under Rule 7b.

     On a side note, there is also the Meet N'Meet Stunt contest with the likely presence of 3 National Champions, many other notables including Jim "Uncle Jimby" Aron, numerous SSW and Stunthangar posters of note, and 2 - count 'em 2 - Barbecues, one Saturday night and one on Sunday during the annual HURL celebration.

    Incredibly, this stunning assemblage of events takes place just over the hill from the races, in Davis, CA, a 3-ish hour drive on the way to San Francisco, 19-20th.

   Brett

[wwwarbird]

 On the drive from San Francisco to Reno stay off the superslab, take the more scenic route, and go around Lake Tahoe. In 2012 we flew into San Fran and did just that. We started off by going north over the Golden Gate Bridge and continued from there. We found the most direct route on the map from there to Lake Tahoe and then picked it up at the southwestern corner. Then we continued east/northeast along the lake up to the northeast corner before shooting off toward Reno. It was awesome scenery, a really great way to enjoy the drive...

  

[wwwarbird]

 More...

[wwwarbird]

 And a few more...

[wwwarbird]

 While at Reno make sure you get yourself a Pit Pass. I bought one for every day and wouldn't go without one. This allows you to walk the pits all you want and mingle right in with all the action. Also, hang around into the evening and head back to the pits. Once the official daily flying events are finished you'll still find plenty of action going on down there until well after the sun sets. And man, absorbing the whole pit/race atmosphere along with relaxing and watching the incredible sunsets on the Reno ramp is something to behold, it's heaven as far as I'm concerned.

[Paul Walker]

Your "buddy" Jeremy Clarkson was in Reno a few years ago. Check out his short stay.

[Brett Buck]

On the drive from San Francisco to Reno stay off the superslab, take the more scenic route, and go around Lake Tahoe. In 2012 we flew into San Fran and did just that. We started off by going north over the Golden Gate Bridge and continued from there. We found the most direct route on the map from there to Lake Tahoe and then picked it up at the southwestern corner. Then we continued east/northeast along the lake up to the northeast corner before shooting off toward Reno. It was awesome scenery, a really great way to enjoy the drive...

   This is the worst advice I have ever heard. Why look at some silly lake and trees, when you can instead behold this sight?

[Mike Scholtes]

Since the finale of the air races is Sat and Sunday Sept 19-20, the same dates as the world-famous Fox 15 Hurl and associated stunt contest near Sacramento, chances are the UK contingent will choose to attend the air races and miss the Hurl. Lousy timing.

What to do and see around Northern California? It depends on how long the group has and what particular things they may already have mapped out. What airport is the group arriving at, on what date, and when do  they depart, from what airport?

If it fits into the schedule I am positive the NorCal stunt community can provide an opportunity to test the dry California air to compare it with the soggy stuff you have at home. There are dedicated CL fields at Napa (one hour north of San Francisco) and Alameda, next to Oakland across the bay from San Francisco. Planes etc can be provided.

Depending on time available, some of the most spectacular coastline in the world is found north and south of San Francisco. That Lake Tahoe thing just west of Reno is worth a look, despite Brett's encouragement to skip it in favor of the Hurl. Let us locals know what the itinerary looks like and we will pitch in to make the trip more enjoyable. And our local microbrew beers are the equal of anything anywhere.

[Brett Buck]

Since the finale of the air races is Sat and Sunday Sept 19-20, the same dates as the world-famous Fox 15 Hurl and associated stunt contest near Sacramento, chances are the UK contingent will choose to attend the air races and miss the Hurl. Lousy timing.

What to do and see around Northern California? It depends on how long the group has and what particular things they may already have mapped out. What airport is the group arriving at, on what date, and when do  they depart, from what airport?

If it fits into the schedule I am positive the NorCal stunt community can provide an opportunity to test the dry California air to compare it with the soggy stuff you have at home. There are dedicated CL fields at Napa (one hour north of San Francisco) and Alameda, next to Oakland across the bay from San Francisco. Planes etc can be provided.

Depending on time available, some of the most spectacular coastline in the world is found north and south of San Francisco. That Lake Tahoe thing just west of Reno is worth a look, despite Brett's encouragement to skip it in favor of the Hurl. Let us locals know what the itinerary looks like and we will pitch in to make the trip more enjoyable. And our local microbrew beers are the equal of anything anywhere.

Don't forget this place, too, just a few hours souther.

[Brett Buck]

Since the finale of the air races is Sat and Sunday Sept 19-20, the same dates as the world-famous Fox 15 Hurl and associated stunt contest near Sacramento, chances are the UK contingent will choose to attend the air races and miss the Hurl. Lousy timing.

  Hey, if the Reno people don't know any better than schedule it the same day as the Hurl, then they have only themselves to blame for their dwindling attendance figures.

    Brett

[wwwarbird]

  Hey, if the Reno people don't know any better than schedule it the same day as the Hurl, then they have only themselves to blame for their dwindling attendance figures.

    Brett

 

[Mike Scholtes]

I totally forgot to mention the dedicated CL field at Davis, halfway from Reno to San Francisco, just off Interstate 80 west of Sacramento, where the contest on Hurl/Reno weekend will be. The guys that lovingly maintain the field are mostly retired so could probably host a flying session on a weekday. Another 45 minutes heading west puts you at Napa. Despite the severe drought gripping California the Davis group has access to farm-irrigation water and the field is in surprisingly green condition.

[Stephen Mynott]

Thanks for the replies regarding CL in California.

We are two CL flyers from Cambridge England, my name is Steve Mynott and my friend and travelling companion is Tony Welch.

 I fly mainly F2B and Tony flies fast Combat Wings powered by smelly British Diesels.

This will be our second trip to Reno and Tahoe having last visited in 2010. We leave Reno on the morning of the 21st Sept and are free from then until the evening of the 23rd Sept when we plan to arrive in San Francisco. We are planning to see the sights of San Francisco before we fly back to England on the evening of the 24th.

Steve

[Jim Roselle]

When in San Francisco two dinner restaurants not to be missed are Seven Hills and Garçon. Mission Bowling club does an outstanding Sunday brunch. There is a place downtown called The Sentinel that has amazing coffee cake, it is cash only so plan accordingly.

Jim

[Balsa Butcher]

As one of the retired guys who maintains the field drop me a line if you want to visit. For more info go to "WDARC.ORG", the Woodland Davis Aeromodelers' web site. Field should be in good shape after the previously mentioned Meat and Meet. I'll try and rouse the troops and we can get in a few flights. I'll bring along my next door neighbor to translate...he's from Liverpool.

[Brett Buck]

When in San Francisco two dinner restaurants not to be missed are Seven Hills and Garçon. Mission Bowling club does an outstanding Sunday brunch. There is a place downtown called The Sentinel that has amazing coffee cake, it is cash only so plan accordingly.

   There's also a great Taco truck that parks in a cul-de-sac in Alviso at lunchtime. You can sit on the abandoned little league bleachers to eat.

   I am only partially kidding, you should see the Beemers and Porsches lined up over there at 12:30 in the afternoon. Food trucks are now a thing. Taco del Oro.

    Brett

[wwwarbird]

 A predicted light Unlimited field for Reno this year just got lighter, Precious Metal burned up today...

 http://allthingsaero.com/airshows/accidents-incidents/gallery-precious-metal-burns-at-fuel-stop

[john e. holliday]

Very lucky pilot.

[rustler]

Very lucky pilot.

Even luckier - the people at Las Vegas today, whose plane engine blew up while waiting to take-off, rather than when in the air! I believe it was a twin engine job, so they would have been down to one engine if it happened while airborn. Yes I know they can fly on one engine, but it makes you think....

[Tim Wescott]

Even luckier - the people at Las Vegas today, whose plane engine blew up while waiting to take-off, rather than when in the air! I believe it was a twin engine job, so they would have been down to one engine if it happened while airborn. Yes I know they can fly on one engine, but it makes you think....

Link?  Sounds exciting.

I've had GA pilot friends tell me that not all twins fly that well on one engine -- you can definitely find yourself in a situation where your ceiling and ability to climb over obstacles is severely reduced.  The story may be different for aircraft that are certified for airline use, though.

[Mike Scholtes]

The twin engine job was a Boeing 777 that had an engine fire and burned on the ramp in full view of terminal passengers. The thing that makes it relevant to this post is, it was a British Airways flight departing LVN for Gatwick, London. Hope our UK friends have better luck on their return flight.

[Mike Scholtes]

Getting back to the inquiry that started this thread, I am a San Francisco native and live nearby, so send me a pm to open a discussion of what to do in the area. I suggest redwood forests, coastline drives, staying away from large cities. There is no easy way to get to Yosemite National Park from Reno, but if you are up for a long mountainous car ride, the eastern approach over Tioga Pass (10,000 feet) and down the west slope of the Sierra on Highway 120 would be one to tell the grandkids about. The approach from the west is easier.

You don't have a lot of time so spending most of it in the car may not be ideal. The other NorCal guys will doubtless chime in with ideas. That Alviso taco truck sounds pretty good. Seriously.

I was the beneficiary of some wonderful hospitality from UK modelers when I came over for the Palmer event at Woburn in 2007. Ian R met me and the family at the airport. Had a great time, so this could be a chance to repay the favor.