Thread: Tuscon Trip for Annual

I flew 547AW to Tuscon to have Roger Lee do my Annual and 100 hr inspection, it was also a nice little vacation to some warmer weather.

Roger does such a great job and is a pleasure to deal with, you couldn't ask for a nicer or more talented mechanic.

Here is a picture of Roger with his digital carb balancing unit and a picture of the trip home on New Years Day. The California Central Valley was really socked in, good thing I live in the mountains.


Thanks for a great job Roger,

How long was the flight and how many days did you have to stay in Tuscon?

Jim,

Six hours each way, one stop at Daggett to add some fuel and stretch my legs. I left on Sunday Dec the 28th and returned on New Years day.

I like Daggett because it's out in the middle of nowhere and easy to get in and out of, but the fuel was expensive, ($4.85) good thing I only put on eight gallons.

Another option would be Apple Valley Airport, the fuel is likely cheaper and they have food, I might make my stop there next time.

Yeah, but ask Alan what he did New Years Eve. It wasn't a work day.

Originally Posted by awelectric

I like Daggett because it's out in the middle of nowhere and easy to get in and out of, but the fuel was expensive, ($4.85) good thing I only put on eight gallons.

Another option would be Apple Valley Airport, the fuel is likely cheaper and they have food, I might make my stop there next time.

Cheapest fuel in the state of California is usually at Tehachapi Muni (KTSP). Listed at $2.85 self-serve on Airnav right now. Not sure if the restaurant is still open there or not. Apple Valley fuel is at $3.93 on Airnav. The runway was covered with snow when I passed it by a couple of weeks ago.

Fox Field in Lancaster (KWJF) has a good restaurant, but fuel is $4.50 self serve. They are still trying to sell off the fuel they bought before the prices came down, and they had water in the tanks when I was there on Dec. 18th, and would only fuel from the trucks, but would give the self serve price if you told them you would have done it yourself. I actually didn't need the fuel, but wanted to be as heavy as possible for the flight through the pass, which can get very windy.

Originally Posted by Roger Lee

Yeah, but ask Alan what he did New Years Eve. It wasn't a work day.

So what did you do, Alan?

Fuel here for 100LL is $2.95

I ended the last day of the year starting with a test flight, you know you have a good mechanic when he is willing to go flying with you after working on your airplane.

Then breakfast with Roger and Lynn, (great food right on the airport) next I spent the afternoon on a motorcycle ride to Kit Peak Observatory, very cool place.

I ended the year by having dinner at the Olive Garden with Roger and Lynn, great food and conversation with two wonderful people.

Here is Alan's home away from home at the airport and his ride on his free day up to an observatory. It added new meaning to a CT annual.