The 3^rd Annual 1-26 Eagle Rendezvouswill be held during the 7-day period from April 7 through April 13 at Sampley  Airport (28AZ) in Aguila, Arizona.

The camp will open on April 7. Participants may arrive at anytime during the week. If you would like to arrive earlier or stay later, the commercial towing operation will be available to you. Camp participants will be a required to obtain a short briefing on local traffic patterns and traffic frequencies prior to flight. The nearest Class B airspace is 50 nm miles away, so that is not a big deal. There is the Bagdad MOA very near, which will require awareness of activity from Luke AFB--mostly F-16s. We will contact Luke to warn them of the increased afternoon glider activity in the area for that week.

As with last year and at Goal Strike for the previous many, many years, the event is an opportunity to gain experience with cross-country flying, accomplish individual goals, and to fly with other 1-26 pilots in a non-pressure environment. In each of the two previous events OLC flights ranging to over 200 miles have been recorded while returning to the field in time for evening social events. Whether you fly for 6-hours or two hours, there is a chance to experience many different soaring environments within gliding to distance to a safe landing area.

 

Requirements for participation are:

    Current membership in the 1-26 Association.

    Current biennial..

    Liability insurance may be checked.

Special Note: If you bring an aircraft that is not a 1-26, you will be requested to yield your launch position to any 1-26 requesting it.

 

Cost of participation: A nominal fee may be collected to defray some of the expenses of the event organizer, Bob Hurni. Those expenses include costs of providing oxygen, ground support, and supplies. In 2006 each pilots donated $10 toward these expenses.

 

Cost of tows: Less than you are used to paying unless you are in a very low cost club.

Please bring a checkbook for tows, as credit card processing will not be available.

 

Oxygen:

Oxygen will be available. Please arrive with full oxygen, if possible to help reduce the overall expenses for the event. The available oxygen will be provided by the Arizona Soaring Association.

 

Turnpoints:

Turnpoints may be downloaded from http://soaring.aerobatics.ws/TP/ASA/. These turnpoints cover most of the Arizona soaring areas. For straight out distance flights beyond the borders, you may add additional turnpoints. This list is especially helpful in that it points out definite landing sites. Check the Arizona Soaring Association website: http://www.asa-soaring.org/ for additional information including turnpoint updates.

 

Soaring area:

For persons looking to fly Silver Distance tasks or Diamond Goal Tasks, this area is especially friendly. The Harquahalla Valley has much agriculture and many, many landing sites. From Wickenburg to Salome there are several remote start/finish opportunities that would allow Silver Distance tasks to be completed almost within sight of home base. There will be opportunity for orographic thermal flying along the Harquahalla Mountains on many of these tasks, which means good altitude. For straight out tasks a good opportunity is to the northeast toward Prescott and then either east to along Interstate 40 or northeast toward the Four Corners area. Alternatively, flights can be made to the southeast toward Tucson with destinations like Deming, NM along Interstate 10. The southeasterly direction offers very good possibilities for Out and Return attempts also. Expect soaring conditions of up to 15,000 feet MSL even in early April, although 10,000 to 12,000 feet is more likely. At 8,000 feet over the valley you will still be at 6,000 feet AGL, so cross-country soaring will still be good.

 

Lodging possibilities:

Burro Jim Hotel , Aguila (928) 685-2272: This is the closest facility (less than 2 miles) with decent rooms. There are only a couple of non-smoking rooms available, 11 units in all. Many participants stayed here and have been quite satisfied, considering the cost and convenience. Rates, which include tax, as quoted below were for 2006. I recommend getting reservations as early as possible if you plan to stay at the Burro Jim. Be aware that Eunice, the owner, is no “Spring Chicken” and when I talked to her, I did have some difficulty communicating.

 

    Single:  $35 or maybe it was $40

    Double: $45

    Weekly Single (5-7 days): $175

    Weekly Double (5-7 days): $225

 

Wickenburg Options (2006 rates)

 

Capri Motel, Wickenburg (928) 684-7232 - 22 miles

2 beds: $68.15

King Size Bed: $56.98

Double Bed: $45.83

 

AmericInn of Wickenburg (928) 684-5461 - About 26 miles

850 East Wickenburg Way , Wickenburg, AZ 85390

Manager is: Louie Smith

            The current rates here seem to be about $70 per night. They are in the process of installing all new beds, so there is some upgrading in process. I believe it is a good option. As with most of the hotels here I would not try to get a commitment too early. May 1 is the end of tourist season and for many of them the rates will become pretty flexible at that time. Shopping and bargaining could result in a reduced rate.

 

Super 8 Motel of Wickenburg (928) 684-0808 - About 24 miles

975 North Tegner, Wickenburg, AZ 85390

40 rooms, Continental Breakfast, Cable TV, Guest Laundry, Suites Available.

Quotes were $67.39 + tax for 2 beds.

$58.39 + tax for 1 bed, 1 persons.

$68.89 + tax for 1 bed, 2 persons

This is recommended by locals. It is almost new and it is clean. Several pilots stayed here in 2006 and were extremely pleased with the facility and the convenient access to shopping and restaurants in Wickenberg.

 

Best Western Rancho Grande (928) 684-5445 - About 23 miles

293 East Wickenburg Way , Wickenburg, AZ 85390

Older interesting hotel. Downtown. Restaurants, bars, shopping, museums within a block. McDonalds just a short walk across the bridge. Could get no quotes for that time of year, but the local color may make it very attractive. If the Burro Jim becomes history, this could be the fun place to be. www.bwranchogrande.com.

 

Los Viajeros Inn (928) 684-7099 - About 25 miles

1000 N. Tegner, Wickenburg, AZ 85390

“Wickenburg’s Newest and Finest” although I think the Super 8 is newer. Much more upscale. Quotes in the $85-$90 dollars per night range. Very nice. Refrigerators, Satellite TV, Pool, Spa, Private Patios, Continental Breakfast, In Room Coffee, No pets.

 

Westerner Motel (928) 684-2493 - About 22 miles

680 West Wickenburg Way , Wickenburg, AZ 85390

I have not checked this out, but the airport manager at the Wickenburg Airport seemed to think it was OK. Swimming pool. Cable TV. Location is pretty good as it is on the west side of town—closer to Aguila. A Chamber of Commerce member.

 

For 2007 only

 

Robson’s Mining World ( http://www.robsonsminingworld.com/ ) is only 6 miles from the field. It is a “Dude” ranch sort of facility with a mining museum, restaurant, and hotel/bed and breakfast accommodations. For most of us it is pricey, but for those looking for a special experience it is attractive. It is open seasonally from October 1 through April 30, so it is a real possibility for the 2007 Rendezvous.Contact address and telephone numbers are: PO Box 3465 • Wickenburg, Arizona 85358 ---- Tel: 928.685.2609 • Fax: 928.685.4164

Additional information can be found under Arizona Treasures at: http://www.arizonahighways.com/

 

Recreational Vehicles:

There is plenty of room on the field for camping and RV parking. There are no hookups but power may be available. Please notify me or Harry Smith of any special needs.

 

Restaurants:

2 to 3 restaurants in Aguila, all with decent food. Lot's of restaurants in Wickenburg, ranging from fast food to continental. Any price range you want.

 

Sightseeing:

Great western art museum in Wickenburg along with art galleries and antiques. My favorite is a marble cutting shop on the east side of town. There is also the Nature Conservancy’s Hassayampa River Preserve for those looking for special birds, etc. There will probably be special activities both weekends in Wickenburg. Vulture Mine is a historic gold mine. Tours are available. Also, trips to Yarnell, Congress, or even Prescott cover a lot of Arizona history. In 2005 we had only one totally non-flying day as clouds and light rain moved in.

 

Event Contact:

Bob Hurni, Rendezvous Manager

bhurni@aol.com

(602) 993-8840

516 East Meadow Lane

Phoenix , AZ 85022

 

Aguila Air Services:

Harry Smith, Owner and Operator

barbaguila@earthlink.net

or( 928) 707-2003 or (928) 707-2002 or (623) 584-0043