TX Wingnuts Fly-In

Thursday, October 21-24th, 2010

 

 

 

Welcome to the Houston Section of the TX WingNuts 6th Annual Fly-In.  We hope you will enjoy your flying experiences with us and may you always fly safe.   This year, we will be coordinating a southernly XC flight to Freeport in addition to the typical all day flying.  Friday and Saturday evenings are spent under the stars around an open campfire kicking back and enjoying the peace and tranquility on the beach.

 

As this event has continued to grow, we will be charging $20 to cover some basic costs for organizing this event.  Also, we are organizing a Cajun dinner for Saturday evening. Cost for the Cajun dinner is about $20.

 

 

Sign-Up for the 2010 Fly-In

 

Pilots Coming to the 2010 Fly-In 

Total to Date:

 

Event Registration

 

Andy McAvin Beery Miller Barry Johnson Sonny Michalsky Chris Page
Mike Vann ($) Tim Suddarth ($) Bryan Bell ($) Dave Fore ($) Tim Green ($)
Matt Morris Randy Howell ($) Danny Dewitt ($) Keith Benitez (*) John Black ($)
Warren Stelter ($) Dan Reed ($) Ivan Kondaurov (*) Ken Morrison ($) Sheri Nickels ($)
Thomas Nickels ($) Chris Scholl ($) Melinda Williams ($) Matt Morris ($) Ken Brucker
Camily Brucker Bob Boone Mike Stewart Don Black Frank Fullbright
Mark Robinson John Nichols Mick Rowlands ($) Renee Colorado Tim Wheeler ($)
Don Brock Dan Canterburry Allen Gillam Paul Mullenix Bud Wruck ($)
Ed Morgan Ray McMahon Carl Mark Dillard Francis Bertovich ($)

 

 

Dinner Registration

 

Andy McAvin Beery Miller  Barry Johnson Sonny Michalsky Chris Page
Mike Vann ($) Tim Suddarth ($) Bud Wruck ($) Dave Fore ($) Tim Green ($)
Sheri Nickels ($) Warren Stelter ($) Ivan Kondaurov (*) Ken Morrison ($) Sheri Nickels ($)
Thomas Nickels ($) Chris Scholl ($) Melinda Williams ($) Regina  Mick Rowlands ($)
Denell McClure ($) Tim Wheeler ($) Randy Howell ($)

 

 

$ - Signed up /Paid

* - Signed up /unPaid

 

 

Accomodations

 

If you aren’t joining us with camping on West Beach at the LZ, the nearest hotels and motels are in Galveston, TX about 20 miles away.  There are also a couple of potential RV spots http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/galveston/.

 

As far as rooms, I have found you can make reservations  at Holiday Inn.  Go to www.holidayinn.com and select Galveston, TX.  Choose the room at 

 

GALVESTON WEST-SEAWALL
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
8628 SEAWALL BLVD
GALVESTON, TX 77554
UNITED STATES

 

This Holiday Inn is about as close as you are going to get to the event with a rented hotel room.  The LZ is about 22 miles away or no more than 30 minutes of driving at max.

 

Another option for a place to stay is within 1 mile of the LZ on the shoreline.  It is a rental home that sleeps approximately 12 people. For 3 nights, they are asking for ~$2600 plus a damage deposit.  Call me for details if you are interested.

 

Area Attractions

 

Besides the beaches, nearby attractions in Galveston include Moody Gardens (with the Rainforest Pyramid, I-Max Theater, Palm Beach, etc.); numerous historical homes; the Railroad Museum; the Strand Historical District, where the Tall Ship Elissa (an 1877 sailing vessel) is moored; the Seaport Museum; and the Galveston County Museum. Space Center Houston is also nearby and will be hosting the NASA Ballunar Festival this same weekend, as are the San Jacinto Historical Complex including the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, the San Jacinto Monument, and the Battleship TEXAS. Brazos Bend State Park, Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site and Brazoria County Access Point (San Luis County Park operated by Brazoria County) are within two hours.

 

Don't forget that we are right on the beach so families can play on the beach, and if they have a fishing license, they can even catch some croakers, flounder, trout, or red-fish.  We'll help you clean them, and of course, help you eat them too!!!

   

Directions to Site: 

San Luis Pass, West Beach

 

1.      Take I-45 South to Galveston and get off at the 61st Street Exit.

2.      Turn right on 61st street and continue for approximately 2 miles until you reach the beach.

3.      Make a right turn onto Seawall Blvd and go approximately 20 miles to West Beach.

4.    In 2009, we held the Fly-In at West Beach.  This year, we will continue down the Seawall Blvd and go through the toll station ($2).

5.    After paying your toll, you will travel over San Luis Pass on the bridge.  Once on the other side of the bridge, you will travel approximately 2 miles.

6.    Watch for the concrete pillars from a former condominium that stand up about 15 feet in the air at the water's edge on the gulf.  The setup area will be in this area. 

7.    As of this point in time, you will travel about 1/4 mile past the pillars to find the best access route in for RV's.

 

General Rules

 

1.                Avoid foot-drags and touch-in-go’s around the launch site. Unless you are landing or launching, be at least 500’ away from the launch site.

2.                Signal “Clear Prop” when starting your motor.

3.                Carry a cell-phone with you and if you are operating on a FRS/GMRS radio, we are on Channel 15.  Also maintain phone numbers for Andy McAvin (713-494-1970) and Beery Miller (713-204-7752) in the event you land away from the LZ and need assistance.

 

 

Notes/Rules for the areas.

 

  1. Late morning to mid-late afternoons over the grassy areas will be turbulent from thermals.  Therefore, flying along the shoreline either just out over the water or at the edge of the dune away from others on the beach is recommended.
  2. Watch for low flying air traffic including helicopters, planes, and especially for KITES. 
  3. If you cross San Luis Pass, minimal safe altitude is 1,000’.  Avoid flying over the congested area at the point as marked in the picture.
  4. When flying over the elevated road, maintain a safe altitude.  Flying too low may result in lack of penetration due to rising air from the wind striking the bridge.
  5. Avoid flying over all fisherman and sunbathers and maintain safe distance.
  6. Avoid flying near the town homes further north up the beach.

 

 Suggested Equipment

 

  1. Sunscreen
  2. Mosquito repellant – may or may not be necessary. 
  3. Water (1+ case per person for the weekend)
  4. Gas and oil for 15 hours airtime if you like flying a lot.
  5. Motor, wing, and plenty of energy to have fun.
  6. Have cellphone handy, and phone numbers for Andy and Beery programmed into the phone should you need assistance.