AOPA's favorite fly-out contest winners
The best of AOPA members' nominations for the best places to visit by airplane
Nearly 100 AOPA members entered AOPA's Favorite Fly-Out Contest for a chance to win a week's lodging after AOPA EXPO '97 at the Pittstown Point Landings resort in the Bahamas.| Click on a picture for a larger view. |
The favorite fly-out destination could be "a resort, a favorite airport restaurant, or pilot meeting place, or any destination of unusual beauty or significance, but one especially convenient by general aviation." Entries were judged on the details and justification offered as to why that favorite fly-out is one of the best anywhere.
The decision of the judges is final, we said, so don't come looking for Senior VP Drew Steketee or Communications staffer/pilots Warren Morningstar, Kevin Murphy, or Cliff Naughton just because they think the winners are:
The Lake Winnipesaukee area of New Hampshire. Brian Corliss (AOPA 010016617) of Derry, NH, detailed this New England vacation mecca boasting three airports, two seaplane bases, and a seasonal 4,000-foot ice runway! Corliss's four-page, detailed account with extensive photos won the prize against great New England destinations like Nantucket and Provincetown, Massachusetts, and Basin Harbor, Vermont.
Ken Kellner (AOPA 0100560) of Neenah, Wisconsin, sold us on the Killarney Mountain Lodge in the Canadian province of Ontario. His four-page submission with 25 photos gave us the whole story on why this is a unique aviation vacation spot, bounded by national park and lake, reachable only by boat until 1961.
Gaston's White River Resort in Northern Arkansas was submitted by three or four members, earning the prize for most-nominated and for its riverside grass runway, cabins and facilities steps away, fantastic fishing just steps beyond that, plus an aviation friendly staff. For the most complete, informative, and interesting commentary and earlier postmark, the prize goes to Randy Harmon (AOPA 01062551) of Brentwood, Tennessee. In a near-tie, Ellsworth G. Dutton (AOPA 01027779) of Niwot, Colorado, is the alternate winner among those citing Gaston's.
For those with a yen for the Wild West, Wyoming's Saratoga Airport and the nearby Flying S Ranch caught our fancy with great details and spectacular photography from Sandra Brown (AOPA 013131316) of Corvallis, Oregon.
John and Sylvia Archer (AOPA 01247514) of Voiron, France, took the prize for their perspective on Marble Canyon (Arizona) Airport and the nearby wonders of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Lake Powell. The airport is a mere 50 yards from the Marble Canyon Lodge; but the Archers also made it their base of operations "to use the airplane like a car" for day trips around these world-class natural wonders. "For once we were able to land in the middle of one of America's most scenic sites without having to look for transport to get places. It just makes 'plane sense' to come here." Bob Welthy, everybody's favorite weatherman in the inter-mountain West for many years, also told us about the magic of Lake Powell for the aviator.
Honorable Mentions
There were many interesting destinations offered, and many strokes of insight, all of which could not win the prize. Here for honorable mention:Raymond W. Randolph of Lago Vista, Texas, located the spectacular Kennicott Glacier Lodge in McCarty, Alaska. He's second runner-up overall.
Mexican resorts won many rave reviews, including Punta Chivato and the Hotel Francisquito in Baja California del Norte. And Bill and Sue Halpain of Bethany OK got us excited about Creede, Colorado.
Many people, including Paul C. Vollmar suggested Galveston, Texas, and the Lone Star Museum of Flight there. We'll vouch for that.
It took Canada's Killarny Mountain Lodge to beat Sheila Halasz of Crystal Lake, Illinois and her excellent review of the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa and its recently re-opened Grand Geneva Airport in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Yes, it's the old Playboy Club, but we can personally attest to its quiet, relaxing, and classy ambiance.
Jan Rutherford wins "Most Novel" destination with her accounts of frequent visits (overflights, thankfully) to the Kennedy Space Center's 15,000-foot Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, with KSC and Patrick AFB Tower permission, of course! She says it's OK, but check first!
A number of pilots, including Frank Niehus of Lakewood, Colorado, and Thomas F. Root of Plymouth, Ohio, took a good shot at the natural aviation fun spots of Kelley Island and Put-In-Bay on Lake Erie north of Sandusky, Ohio. Niehus and Root made the case for eschewing busier and touristy Put-In-Bay for the less developed Kelley Island. Also nearby: Middle Bass and North Bass Islands, plus Canada's Pelee Island. All have airports.
Stephan A. Knox wowed us with beautiful accounts and photos of his two favorites: Luray, Virginia, (site of Luray Caverns and one of Virginia's admirably upgraded airports), and Ingalls Field serving Hot Springs, Virginia. Natural Bridge, the Blue Ridge Parkway, there's lots to see around here.
Attorney R. Lee Myers made a very strong case for picturesque and historic Beaufort, North Carolina, an often overlooked spot on the Carolina coast because it's not the Outer Banks (also a member favorite) and it hides behind some MOAs. Go via the New Bern VOR, call MCAS Cherry Point for advisories, then enjoy Beaufort's charming waterfront. It's walkable from nearby Mike Smith Field dedicated to Beaufort's late hometown hero, pilot of the space shuttle Challenger.
There were so many good entries for the Bahamas. Richard E. Gores, Jr. almost got us with a shot of South Andros Island's deserted beach and tales of fantastic bonefishing. John L. Thompson found a new place – the small island of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, 20 miles north of Virgin Gorda. Population 250, hotel rooms 16, runway length 2,500 paved! Todd Tamscin found Great Harbor in the Berry Islands. Chester Gault of Monterrey, California, clearly had fun on Little Farmer's Key; the photos prove it!
Some entries were just magic. Andre Knott of Rapid City, South Dakota, related that pilots from surrounding states gather at Sturgis where Bear Butte stands out at the edge of the Black Hills like a beacon for pilots to come and share fellowship, "the western spirit" and American ideals. "They all know there will always be a friendly greeting and warm welcome to any pilot who wants to join the Saturday morning kibitzing." Sounds like the pot belly stove of the Northern Plains, Andre! It was poetry!
A number of members touted Northern Florida's Gulf Coast islands. While N. Norris Rickey touted The Pelican Inn on Isle de Chien southeast of Carabelle , Florida, many noted Cedar Key. Michael Eltz of Mary Esther, Florida, told us the place is his trip back in time. "Cedar Key is walking speed," says Eltz, " A car-bound tourist could drive from one side of the island to the other in five minutes, entirely missing its charm," a sharp contrast to "100 miles south where 10,000 moms, dads, and kids are…waiting in line to see the Mouse. If your next Florida vacation leaves you feeling like you need a vacation, have a grouper sandwich on Cedar Key on your way home." (If a prize winner can't take advantage of the week at Pittstown Point Landings, you'll be going as First Runner Up, Mike!)
Most touching was the testament to Mackinac Island on Michigan's Upper Penninsula. Jerry Brittan of Mattawan, Michigan, sang its praises for a most important consideration. "I can take my family on an exciting adventure relatively close to home, everyone enjoys the experience, and wants to come back again. I would encourage pilots to (emphasize) their passengers' "favorite fly-outs" for the joy and satisfaction of watching others have a great time…."
Isn't that what really makes a Favorite Fly-out Destination? It's the satisfaction that only through your mastery of aviation can you and yours experience that special, meaningful somewhere.
Thanks to all those who entered AOPA's Favorite Fly-Out Contest, and thanks to Hal Shevers and Sporty's Pilot Shops for supplying the prizes – five one-week stays (room and three meals a day) at Pittstown Point Landings in the Bahamas after AOPA EXPO '97.
The five winners will be notified by mail. If one or more cannot accept the prize, the prize will be offered to alternate winner (if Gaston's entry cannot accept) or to runners-up. Per contest rules, no alternate prize will be awarded.
Posted on Friday, August 29, 1997 2:38:09 PM