Thread: Big Bend

I'm thinking about flying down for the day to do a "tour by air" of Big Bend National Park. It's only about 2 hours flight time from here and I thought it would be great in the fall on one of those cool, high pressure, CAVU days. I'd like to do it without the ATC annoyance but know it's near the border. Anybody done this? Would appreciate your advice.

John

You don't need ATC to fly near the border. I fly along the border here at 200AGL and stay a 200-300 yds inside the states. Keep your transponder on to 1200 and you can fly anywhere along the boarder fence so long as you don't go across. If you see illegal activity or need to call a law enforcement helicopter we use 123.02 and the call sign is
"any Omaha Unit". That should get you Customs or Border patrol.

Did this between Christmas and New Years last year.

marfa

At the Marfa airport, there's a 5 gal can you can use to get mogas from town.

Thanks for the picture tour. It was great. I think I could make it down to Marfa, fuel up and get back to Lubbcok in one LONG day. It shouldn't be that bad if the wind gods would help. We'll see

John

John,
My son and I flew along the north bank of the Rio Grande from El Paso to Del Rio last October. I passed through again this summer. Big Bend is an excellent CT destination with a dramatic gorge, stunning vistas and striking rock formations.
If I go back I’ll have more time, land somewhere along the way, rent a car and do some hiking. Summer was too hot. October was nice.
These pictures hardly do it justice:

A couple more pictures of Big Bend National Park.

Originally Posted by Patrnflyr

I'm thinking about flying down for the day to do a "tour by air" of Big Bend National Park. It's only about 2 hours flight time from here and I thought it would be great in the fall on one of those cool, high pressure, CAVU days. I'd like to do it without the ATC annoyance but know it's near the border. Anybody done this? Would appreciate your advice.

John

Try Big Bend State Park. 5000' dirt strip, they'll pick you up and take you to the Ranch House where you can get a cabin or a bunk, dorm style. Call ahead for reservations. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/find ... end_ranch/

Doug