Snowbird wanna be

[Lyle Spiegel]

I'm contemplating another cold snowy winter in upstate NY and beginning to realize I might prefer a warmer climate. Maybe a winter on Fla in my future? Would be interested in location where other C/L folks and flying site is nearby.All  suggestions welcomed. Thank in advance.

[Steve Helmick]

My suggestion is to winter someplace other than Florida! Texas or Arizona come to mind right away. It's really not bad here, or at least, over yonder, in Sequim, WA, in the 'rain shadow' of the Olympic mountains. MapQuest will show where that is. The "e" is silent...SKWIM.  Steve

[WLGeorge]

Houston Texas, Katy area has Scobee Field and various other spots, I believe San Antonio has a few folks and some really good Tex/Mex food.  I believe I would check the Events section here and see where the contest are being held and that would be a pretty good spot to investigate.  Baton Rouge Louisiana has a contest and really good Cajun food.  Somehow all my spots are connected to food!  I was in China years ago and heard the unmistakable sound of control line airplanes.  Made my way to the sound and was immediately adopted by the nicest folks I ever met.  I still visit a few of them when we go back. (Beware of Chinese Beer, it's served at room temperature in really big bottles and it sneaks up on you)! I speak virtually no Chinese and they spoke less English.  We spoke control line!   

[Mike Keville]

Forget Florida.  Come to Tucson, AZ...fly year-around.  No hurricanes, no humidity, no bugs, no sinkholes.  World-class flying site...home to the VSC and three former National stunt champions.

[Randy Cuberly]

Forget Florida.  Come to Tucson, AZ...fly year-around.  No hurricanes, no humidity, no bugs, no sinkholes.  World-class flying site...home to the VSC and three former National stunt champions.

Well,
Mike just about said it all.  He did mention that it's the home of VSC.  What he didn't specifically mention is that we have one of the nicest Control Line flying sites around.  Three paved circles and three grass circles.
The field is practically dedicated to Control Line flying and supported by the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.  We've had the site for over 35 years and it's pretty well taken care of.

The Cholla Choppers Model Airplane Club is the oldest continuous AMA Sanctioned club in the US.
We have a very active Core membership (even if we are getting a bit old) and some excellent builders and fliers.  Best of all it's a very friendly group and all the help that anyone could ever want is always available.

We fly year round and the weather is typically very cooperative.  Yes it gets a bit warm in the summer time but we fly early and leave about 10:AM to have Brunch in a nice air conditioned resturant.

Winter weather is paradise!  Typically 65 to 75 degrees and sunny.  Very low humidity!

There is housing available in just about any price range you could want.  Some very close to the field!

Tucson is tough to beat if you're a CL Flier!

If you wish to talk about specifics call me anytime at 520-390-3466.

Randy Cuberly

[peabody]

People that don't come to Florida are just jealous...
The Tampa area has great weather, good transportation and the Gulf. Oh, and the bunch that fly at the Manatee County RC site, which has a ton of amenities that we have come to appreciate.....

Paradise

[bob whitney]

Well,
Mike just about said it all.  He did mention that it's the home of VSC.  What he didn't specifically mention is that we have one of the nicest Control Line flying sites around.  Three paved circles and three grass circles.
The field is practically dedicated to Control Line flying and supported by the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.  We've had the site for over 35 years and it's pretty well taken care of.

The Cholla Choppers Model Airplane Club is the oldest continuous AMA Sanctioned club in the US.
We have a very active Core membership (even if we are getting a bit old) and some excellent builders and fliers.  Best of all it's a very friendly group and all the help that anyone could ever want is always available.

We fly year round and the weather is typically very cooperative.  Yes it gets a bit warm in the summer time but we fly early and leave about 10:AM to have Brunch in a nice air conditioned restaurant.

Being a Florida lifer i hate to say it but Randy is right, Tucson is the place to fly  with 3 paved and 3 grass circles and a bunch of really good guys and gals  Houston has some good circles but not as much activity , almost all of the flying in Fla is on grass so only stunt or sport flying

Winter weather is paradise!  Typically 65 to 75 degrees and sunny.  Very low humidity!

There is housing available in just about any price range you could want.  Some very close to the field!

Tucson is tough to beat if you're a CL Flier!

If you wish to talk about specifics call me anytime at 520-390-3466.

Randy Cuberly

[WLGeorge]

Snowbirds go north in the spring, right?  All these places are fine in the winter.  Summer however is not the time to be south of the Mason-Dixon Line.  It's hot as heck here in the summer.  The summertime is my building time and we fly in the fall thru spring.  That's just our little area.  I do not enjoy 100degree plus flying at all. Maybe us southerners should head north about May.  Work up a trade or something:-)

[Lyle Spiegel]

I have spare bedroom in my town home. I might consider making it available to someone who would want to escape up north during summer months  from the southern climate. Then they could offer me a room during winter for my escape from cold climate.

[Garf]

Tell them what the summer temps get to in Tuscon.

[Bill Hummel]

Lyle, you kvetch!  Take the snow and ice here like a man!  Besides, it's just the building season...

[Randy Cuberly]

Tell them what the summer temps get to in Tuscon.

Sure I'll tell anyone!  Typically in June July and August here in Tucson the temps are about 105 degrees at 2:00PM.  However at 5:30 AM they are about 68 and that's when we fly in the summer.  We quit about 9:30 to 10:00 AM.  By that time it's typically about 100 Degrees.  However it's 100 Degrees with about 9 % humidity and it isn't bad...I'm not kidding.  At 105 it is not something you really want to do anything exertive in...so we quit.

From late September until middle May it's paradise!  The wind here in the mornings is typically out of the southeast at about 3-5 mph...  Afternoons usually show thermal activity and the wind typically reflects that and can be gusty but usually is not un-flyable.  Yes sometimes it is! 

Ask anone who's been to VSC and they will likely give you a very favorable report of Tucson CL conditions.

No;  No Place is Perfect!

Randy Cuberly

[Jim Thomerson]

Dallas has a very active club and an excellent flying site.  However Dallas gets a lot of weather.  Don't consider Austin as there is no room.  The San Antonio guys have a private asphalt circle on a ultralite airport off I 35 east of San Antonio.  The weather is better in that area than in Dallas.  Summers in Texas ordinarily have a number of over 100 degree days. 

[Avaiojet]

Florida is a great state. It's a "swing" state if you know what that means? Politics. Politics? They actually get indictments here, unlike most "blue" states.

It's a "Swinger's" state also, believe it or not, but that's much more south of where my wife and I live. That all starts around FT. Lauderdale.

What I like about Florida is the landscape beauty and the wild life. No, not a wild life, like Night Clubs the "Wild Life."

If you plan on working here, forget it. Employment here is difficult, unless your a brain surgeon, engineer or a Nats winner.

And bring a bunch of money, you'll need it.

[John Stiles]

Forget Florida.  Come to Tucson, AZ...fly year-around.  No hurricanes, no humidity, no bugs, no sinkholes.  World-class flying site...home to the VSC and three former National stunt champions.

That makes me laugh...I remember getting caught in a snowstorm in JUNE...Flagstaff I believe it was.....had to park my M/C and slept overnight in a generous fellow's camper. Next day I flipped a coin, "tails"; on to San Jose...and "heads" back to Tulip! Heads won it!

[Ward Van Duzer]

If Florida is the target for any reason, I can give you the advice I was given when we moved here. West Coast. South of the sunshine bridge. That's Florida! Palms, Forever flowers, gorgeous birds and the gulf! As Peabody described we have a group of 15 to 20 C/L flyers attached to the Manatee County RC'ers with a mowed circle and cement take off/landing strip, shade, electric outlets, double wide clubhouse w/ real restrooms and A/C. The ktchen fires up on meeting days and events. For those interested in R/C a large grass take off strip I'm in (East) Bradenton at I-75 exit 213 and about 20 minutes to the club field. We've got Orlando, the Space coast, and Okechobee. As far as the hot weather is concerned if you're going to snow-bird it, 75-85 degree February is OK in my book. We always make an issue of swimming in the pool on Christmas and New Years!

Ward 

[john e. holliday]

Well, my self I like it just fine here in the Kansas/Missouri town of Kansas City most of the time.  At least we have four seasons, even though it may jump from winter to summer fast when it is supposed to  be spring time.   I can only vouch for Tuscon during the month of March.   Had a conversation with the late Joe Ortiz after he move there.   He stated flying in early AM before 0900 and late afternoon when the sun went behind the mountains.   Been in Florida during the winter time like February and March.  Thought I was going to sweat my head off.   Was in the Northwest for the NATS one year and it was nice.  Have been to the East and Northeast for the NATS and that was enough  for me.   Dallas/Fort Worth is right in line with Tuscon as far as I'm concerned.  Attending training in Dallas both summer and winter, would go flying when it wasn't windy.  But, like one of our heroes in the Army was sent to Ft Leavenworth for training and went to the NATS with me that year.   He had been in Hawaii for four years and he said it got boring weather wise at times.   He said the first snow fall back in Kansas, him and his wife were like little kids playing in the snow.  Have not heard from him since his finished his training and went to the Pentagon.  There are many more places I could talk about.   But, if you want people to fly with, go with either  Dallas/Fort Worth or Tuscon.

[Bill Heher]

AZ is nice , but quite a haul from NY state. You can make it to Tampa/Orlando/Cocoa Beach in 2 easy days, or if you have another driver - just push straight through. I think the winter weather is great, and if too windy to fly -you can always fish, or just take a stroll on the beach- it ain't the desert!

There are active clubs / fliers in Tampa-Bradenton/ Cocoa Beach /Lake Wales / Jacksonville/ Miami and a few other locations.I am in Orlando but spend more time on SH from a hotel than I do with a handle in my hand @ home.I travel for work, and work on my Honey-do list when I get home.

There is also the Space Center, Kermit Weeks Fantasy of Flight, Sun-n-Fun in Lakeland ( Oshkosh South!),Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, King Orange international Contest, plus tourist trap central ( Disney /Universal/ Seaworld, ect.) in Orlando, and tons of beach, rivers, swamps, bass lakes,etc. If you end up in the central part of the state you are within 3.-6 hrs of most places.

[Randy Powell]

Well, don't move to Seattle ... unless you like flying in the rain during the winter. Now the summer is nice, but that lasts about 6-8 weeks then it's back to the rain.

[Randy Cuberly]

AZ is nice , but quite a haul from NY state. You can make it to Tampa/Orlando/Cocoa Beach in 2 easy days, or if you have another driver - just push straight through. I think the winter weather is great, and if too windy to fly -you can always fish, or just take a stroll on the beach- it ain't the desert!

There are active clubs / fliers in Tampa-Bradenton/ Cocoa Beach /Lake Wales / Jacksonville/ Miami and a few other locations.I am in Orlando but spend more time on SH from a hotel than I do with a handle in my hand @ home.I travel for work, and work on my Honey-do list when I get home.

There is also the Space Center, Kermit Weeks Fantasy of Flight, Sun-n-Fun in Lakeland ( Oshkosh South!),Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, King Orange international Contest, plus tourist trap central ( Disney /Universal/ Seaworld, ect.) in Orlando, and tons of beach, rivers, swamps, bass lakes,etc. If you end up in the central part of the state you are within 3.-6 hrs of most places.

Yeah Bill,
Take a stroll on the beach during a hurricane...great fun.

Hey, I went to school in Florida (Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University), work at the Cape for two years, lived in Titusville and Orlando (Hottest most humid place in the world in the summer time), (I know I passed out during a Moto Cross Race there while running 2nd), and Miami/Ft Lauderdale (2nd hottest most humid place in the world). 
Take lots of insect repellent for the mosquitos, I think they carry knives, at least it feels like it.  Did I mention wind,...almost constant and enough to fly kites but not CL Airplanes.  Florida is a nice place to visit for about one week...after that...Phooey!  The fishing is great if you have a lot of money for a good boat!  Don't do it during one of those HURRICANES I mentioned before.

Also remember the humidity I mentioned...take your shoes and clothes out of your closet at least one a week and dry them out or when you do you'll find green mold all over them.

Wonderful place Florida...if you're an Aligator.  I would like to go back to the King Orange again, on some year when it doesn't get rained or blown out!   

Incidentally it does Snow in Flagstaff quite regularly.  It's in the very northern part of the state, where the Grand Canyon is!  It's about 6-7,000 ft altitude there.  There's even a Ski Resort about 20 miles north of there.  The rest of the state has seen snow on rare occassions but if you want to see it when it snows you have to run outside and catch some.  The ground stays too warm for it to last more than a second or two!

I have in my life time of 74 years lived in just about every part of the US, from East Coast, New England to Florida, to Texas, to California, both North and South, Colorado, Ski country...and grew up in Kansas City Missouri.  Even spent 5 years in southern Europe (Flew combat in Malta with a bunch of RAF guys) and England and 18 months in Southeast Asia (nice place unless you're sensitive to gunfire and bombs).   Oh yeah I almost forgot about my 6 month leisure trip to Iran, in 1964...Not a nice place under any circumstances.  I don't think they fly CL airplanes there, maybe a little R/C for drones!   
Botom Line:
No place is perfect but if you're any kind of serious Control Line Stunt Flier then Tucson Arizona is probably the closest place anywhere near to "perfect"!

Randy Cuberly

[Lyle Spiegel]

Based upon driving distance I think Fla would be  first on list of destinations. I have spent brief time visiting my folks when they retired in Ft Lauderdale but never visited west coast.  I'm going to ckeck out choices to rent something. Its only me so don't.need much room - would be OK renting a furnished room if I could find someone with spare room - main requirement is enough room for my planes. How difficult is it to find furnished room in decent neighborhood?

[Randy Cuberly]

Lyle,
I'm sure you can find what you're looking for in Florida.  There's a lot of good folks there too!

For those that have not been to Tucson I wanted to include a shot of our flying field.

This is looking across one of the grass circles the other two are to the right out of the frame.

The two primary paved circles are dead ahead and the third one is to the left and about 100 yards or so behind the two visible!  It took a lot of work and a long time to achieve this and we're understandably proud of them.  Lots of thanks goes to the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department for this achievment!

The picture was taken in the hot summer time.  The grass is a lot greener in the winter!

Randy Cuberly

[peabody]

Lyle...
Mike Ostella has found that the Auto Train is a great way to save I-95 time...
I may do a reverse snowbird deal with the motorbike to visit next summer.

Have fun.

[Avaiojet]

Based upon driving distance I think Fla would be  first on list of destinations. I have spent brief time visiting my folks when they retired in Ft Lauderdale but never visited west coast.  I'm going to ckeck out choices to rent something. Its only me so don't.need much room - would be OK renting a furnished room if I could find someone with spare room - main requirement is enough room for my planes. How difficult is it to find furnished room in decent neighborhood?

Hurricanes like the West Coast also.

There are RV campsites around, one night or by the week. Trailer parks everywhere.

Sell some of those planes and buy an RV. I'm kidding! Just Kidding.

Rent a "room?" You will NEVER be able to start an engine in a "decent" neighborhood, especially if it's gated or has drive around security. Be careful because in some neighborhoods some hoodie will steel your models.

Best avenue would be a fellow modeler that has the space for you and your planes.

The wife and I, plus two dogs, did three 5K mile road trips before choosing FL, although we both knew that FL wiuld be the place for us. We have many life long friends here.

It is great in FL.

Really nice place to live, but Florida does have it's drawbacks. There's a list of them, depending on how you view things.

Here's an example. It's flat!

[Ward Van Duzer]

Last serious Hurricaine year in FL? 2004. Last serious hurricaine year New York & New Jersey? 1 year. Worst humidity I ever felt? New Jersey. Let's not forget heart attack inducing January & February. Don't forget black & white & grey outside Dec., Jan., Feb., and those Mar. Snowstorms. Florida is still in technicolor! Get up at 6:00 AM to go flying? My heart doesn't start beating until 11:00 AM!

Ward_O  

Oh yea, Florida's flat? How do you like your flying field?

Different strokes..............

[Les McDonald]

Lyle, I'm sure you are a nice guy so take my advice and listen to everyone that suggests you move to Arizona, California or Texas.
Those are wonderful places to live, especially if you're retired.
I was born and raised in South Florida and let me warn you to stay away. The streets are riddled with crime. Even our senior citizens are drug crazed sex maniacs. All our young people carry assault rifles and hate any culture that is not theirs!
Heed my advice and stay away. Tell all your New York, New Jersey and Michigan friends to do the same. You should warn everyone you know to stay away. Alligators, Pythons, Mosquitoes and roaches bigger than rats. It would be mandatory to learn Spanish and quite possibly Creole depending on your neighborhood.
Don't come to live down here but please feel free to visit. Yes I know we have a joke about Tourist "Season" so just pay attention to your surroundings. Please visit and enjoy our casinos and night life. You are more than welcome to "conceal carry" since "open carry" seems to be, for whatever reason, a bit dangerous.
Please visit along with all your friends. Spend money and then----Go back to Tucson!

[Ward Van Duzer]

My appologies Les, of course you are right. But I won't tell them about the warning we had about the sun falling into Tampa Bay next week...

Ward-O

[Randy Cuberly]

Lyle, I'm sure you are a nice guy so take my advice and listen to everyone that suggests you move to Arizona, California or Texas.
Those are wonderful places to live, especially if you're retired.
I was born and raised in South Florida and let me warn you to stay away. The streets are riddled with crime. Even our senior citizens are drug crazed sex maniacs. All our young people carry assault rifles and hate any culture that is not theirs!
Heed my advice and stay away. Tell all your New York, New Jersey and Michigan friends to do the same. You should warn everyone you know to stay away. Alligators, Pythons, Mosquitoes and roaches bigger than rats. It would be mandatory to learn Spanish and quite possibly Creole depending on your neighborhood.
Don't come to live down here but please feel free to visit. Yes I know we have a joke about Tourist "Season" so just pay attention to your surroundings. Please visit and enjoy our casinos and night life. You are more than welcome to "conceal carry" since "open carry" seems to be, for whatever reason, a bit dangerous.
Please visit along with all your friends. Spend money and then----Go back to Tucson!

 

Randy Cuberly!!!

[Avaiojet]

Lyle, I'm sure you are a nice guy so take my advice and listen to everyone that suggests you move to Arizona, California or Texas.
Those are wonderful places to live, especially if you're retired.
I was born and raised in South Florida and let me warn you to stay away. The streets are riddled with crime. Even our senior citizens are drug crazed sex maniacs. All our young people carry assault rifles and hate any culture that is not theirs!
Heed my advice and stay away. Tell all your New York, New Jersey and Michigan friends to do the same. You should warn everyone you know to stay away. Alligators, Pythons, Mosquitoes and roaches bigger than rats. It would be mandatory to learn Spanish and quite possibly Creole depending on your neighborhood.
Don't come to live down here but please feel free to visit. Yes I know we have a joke about Tourist "Season" so just pay attention to your surroundings. Please visit and enjoy our casinos and night life. You are more than welcome to "conceal carry" since "open carry" seems to be, for whatever reason, a bit dangerous.
Please visit along with all your friends. Spend money and then----Go back to Tucson!

Everyone from Miami says this.

[Randy Cuberly]

Everyone from Miami says this.

Yeah, I laughed very hard when I saw it because I used to say the same thing when I lived in Miami for three years!

Randy Cuberly

[Will Davis]

Do not rule out the mid south, North Carolina has plenty of  control line activity, like most places , we are few and far between,  South Carolina has  the great joe Nall site, North Carolina has huntersville,  we are 1 day drive to ama nationals, Memphis, koi , Kentucky ,  Atlanta, Virginia beach, Jim coll and Brodak

Central north  carolina is four hours from the coast, two hours to mountains,

Mild weather, not too hot in higher elevations,  we fly pretty much year round  except when extreme cold or too hot .

I love to visit the Arizona  area, and Florida , both great places to visit,   And would see no reason not to live there in the  right areas,  Both have  very desirable  credentials for retirement ,

[Shug Emery]

Do not rule out the mid south, North Carolina has plenty of  control line activity, like most places , we are few and far between,  South Carolina has  the great joe Nall site, North Carolina has huntersville,  we are 1 day drive to ama nationals, Memphis, koi , Kentucky ,  Atlanta, Virginia beach, Jim coll and Brodak

Central north  carolina is four hours from the coast, two hours to mountains,

Mild weather, not too hot in higher elevations,  we fly pretty much year round  except when extreme cold or too hot .

I love to visit the Arizona  area, and Florida , both great places to visit,   And would see no reason not to live there in the  right areas,  Both have  very desirable  credentials for retirement ,

Not to mention good NC BBQ, hushpuppies, Fish Camps, naner puddin', livermush, grits, sweet tea, Carolina Hot Dogs with chili and slaw, Dukes mayonnaise, Goody Powders, Cheerwine and country ham biscuits))))))

[Bill Heher]

All those who live in states that have an "Income Tax" are always bashing FL, but I like keeping a bit more of MY $.
If it was so bad I don't think my house would fill up with a steady stream of visitors from the frozen north all winter!

I am not a native, but it is way warmer in the winter than ND/MN, not much hotter and humid than the farm belt in mid summer, and beats the heck of Detroit MI as far as crime, murder, and overall quality of life.

One of the biggest problems is traffic, especially in the major metro areas, Tampa-Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami. Lots of people who don't read English, have no sense of direction, and can't figure that the sun goes from east to west.

[Lyle Spiegel]

Lots of good comments- I don't think Calif is in my future - I spent 13 years in West Fan Fernando Valley working at Rocketdyne and later at TRW Space Park/ Redondo Beach - before getting offer to come back east. I don't miss the equakes (survived the Northridge EQ) , or the mudslides. wild fires , smog, traffic on 405 & 101. Now there is a draught!
What I miss most is my daughter who works at FOX in Century City,  flying  at Sepulveda with the Valley Circle Burners (still proudly  wear my club jacket to local east coast meets  in Lee , Mass and in NJ)- and even more the speed guys and tether car races in El Monte.
I wish Tuscon was closer so it would be reasonable drive- I want to go to VSC more than anything- I attended the first one that was held in Calif. I don't think Texas is in my future- although I've been told I might  like Austin.
That leaves Florida, or North Carolina. Need to do more research to check out affordable rental options for winter season.
Lyle

[11290]

One of the biggest problems is traffic, especially in the major metro areas, Tampa-Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami. Lots of people who don't read English, have no sense of direction, and can't figure that the sun goes from east to west.

Had to laugh at this part.  I live in Indiana but work part time at Disney, spending about 18 to 20 weeks there spread throughout 3 or 4 trips down, for the last 6 years.  Drivers are BAD in the Orlando area, but I did come to some conclusions about the traffic.

1.  There is a magnetic force field around the Orange Cty. area that makes turn signals inoperative.
2.  There must be one hell of a prize for getting to the red light first because everyone seems to want to try for the prize.
3.  Almost no one can tell you what the blue lights on the traffic signals are for.
4.  and most of all, to Central Florida drivers, MERGE means GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!!!!

[Randy Cuberly]

We've had several Snow Birds from the East in the past...a couple of them became permanent residents, I think the long drive got to the others and they eventually stopped coming.
We do get a fair number of folks from the East Coast at VSC but not as many as in the past.  Cost of gas and getting older has caused some attrition I fear.  WE miss them.  All good folks.  Bob Hunt still shows up once in a while.  I think He just decided to give some others a chance to win...Same with Bill Werwedge.
Together those two guys have won it more than most others combined!

We miss them too!

Mike Ostella use to come fairly regularly but hasn't been here for quite a while!  

Randy Cuberly

[Bill Heher]

I forgot 1 more thing, FL has 3 NFL teams, and usually at least 1 wins each weekend  in the fall,
( unless Miami has a bye week, and the Bucs play someone decent- we won't talk about the 3rd one!)

Just keeping it light-I am in Jacksonville this week, and watched the Jags beat themselves yesterday, the Buc came up short, but the Fish won- so my previous statement was based on history and common knowledge

 I am forced to admit that if I didn't live in FL, the AZ winter would be very attractive. I go there often on business, but my boss has a cruel streak, trips in the winter are hard to get! I often end up in Portland, and fly with the Fireballs @ Delta park. Yeah it rains, drizzles, fog, occasional snow- but still quite a few flyable days.

[Ward Van Duzer]

Randy and Unca' Mikey,

"No hurricaines?"

Who's this Norbert character?


Ward-O

[Mike Keville]

Tropical depression. 

[Howard Rush]

Almost no one can tell you what the blue lights on the traffic signals are for.

The traffic lights they turn blue tomorrow.

[John Kelly]

   ...and the clowns have all gone to bed