Heck YEA
McFly said:
I am thinking of flying to the Arlington fly-in next month and camp under the wing for a night, maybe two.
I don't know much about Arlington and am looking for some input (other than their website). Is this a big enough event to justify camping out? I know this is really subjective so let me ask this another way. Is this event as big as Sun-N-Fun? Is this event bigger than Golden West? Thanks for all of your opinions.
Sure. They have showers (I think) and at night activities: dinners, dances, moves, night time balloon lighting and night airshow with some plane/glider/ultra light with fireworks on the wing tips going on. There is a restaurant nearby on the field (if its still open) and one across the street. There is a grocery store, but its a good walk, a very good walk. It is doable, but may be too far to carry a lot of heavy stuff back, with out a rolling cart.
It's very nice. Now its summer and who knows but the NW is known for two things. Mild temps year round and RAIN. This is a good time of the year, but it still can get Hot and it can RAIN. I think the average show time weather is better than Oshkosh, which can get very humid and stormy. You can camp right with your plane if you like.
As big as sun and fun? I have been to them all and I have a soft spot for Arlington because my plane was based there for years till I moved. Hummmm I think its got its own thing going. It has a nice selection of vendors, spruce, chief are there usually. Dynon will be there for sure because its in the back yard. There are tool guys there, some surplus and the usual suspects. It may be a smaller site, but I find it less dusty than other EAA/Experimental fly-ins.
The war bird turn out will be smaller. You will not see US official heavy iron. May be the local Air National Guard chopper will show up, but no thunderbirds or blue angles.
Nice antiques, bi-planes and gold age classics usually turn out. It all depends on the weather coming from the East and California to the show. Its a one day flight for most planes (even slow ones) from central Cali to Arlington or a super easy two 1/2-day flight. However you have to go over the in pass (Northern CA, South Oregon) and weather can block the VFR guys and the attendance.
The morning or late afternoon fly-outs & sight-seeing opportunities are great. The mountains or the san juan islands are fantastic and they are right there. A 30 min or hour flight you can see glacial covered peaks (over 10,000 ft). Mount Bakers has steem coming from its crater. Towards the water, a 30 min flight to see a pod of killer wales and eagles flying over the green san juan islands. Almost ever island has a runway and restaurant within walking distance. Friday harbor probably has the most commercial airport and down town. It's on the main island, San Juan. Its a nice easy flight from Arlington (20 miin). I like Orcus island as well, real low key.
There are many places to fly out and get dinner or breakfast. You can go to Boeing field and get food and see the museum of flight.
The Arlington pattern on Sat and Sun morning is crazy sometimes! Also after the show the departure line is long, which is kind of fun of you are on the ground and watching.
There is always a FAA temp "tower" there (trailer with a cover). Plenty of parking; experimentals get special parking. The RV's are the largest group to show up, so they have a large parking area and usually there are 20-30 or more there at one time.
Hey its a freaking airshow, how can that be bad. Oh yea the airshow is well varies. But frankly I like it low key and not all hyped up. There is more time for fly-bys and usually there are several Pro airshow acts doing the standard "wifferdales" in the sky and low altitude stuff.
I can't guarantee you will have great weather or have fun, but you make your own fun and take your chances with weather. Chances are WX will be workable. However be aware you can get the grey drizzle almost any time of the year in the NW, but this time of the year is probably the best WX time and least likely to run into weather issues. Once I recall in 10 years it was kind of rained out pretty much.
