Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells

[rag]

A couple of Cheeseheads from Wisconsin are planning to land at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe wells next week. Just wondering what the condition of both runways are. Have any of you landed at either place in the last few weeks? Please let me know what your experience was.
Thanks!!
Rick George

 

[Taltruda]

Haven’t landed stovepipe wells yet.. but I have landed furnace creek last year.. the runway has some “bumps” where the pavement heaves up, I believe it changes with temperature, the hotter, it gets more pronounced. I landed south and chose a spot left of centerline that wasn’t bad. I would recommend calling the resort to arrange a pickup to their restaurant.. less waiting in the sun. Do some low and slow passes to assess the runway. Cheap fuel at 74P.. even cheaper at BigBear L35, plus there’s a restaurant there!

 

[rag]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Wrench]

FWIW...

Was at Stovepipe Wells last July... RW was fine to land on...I doubt it's changed much in a year.... but man was it hot, ( as expected ). Be sure to run your performance numbers for the plane... watch the winds... they can get bad...and for yourself... hydration is critical in that neck of the woods. " Propel " has proven to be great for me. Buy it at Walmart in small packets you add to a bottle of water.

 

[PilotjohnS]

Old wives tale

Just a thing I remember from doing gliders in the desert. Watch your salt intake when drinking water, the salt will make you go pee. Straight water is better. If you feel thirsty, it is most likely you are already dehydrated and need to drink right away. JMHO

 

[intothinair]

Can anyone provide current runway conditions at Stovepipe Wells airport? Should wheel pants be removed before attempting to land here?

 

[PhatRV]

I visited the Stovepipe Wells Airstrip on Jan 01 this year. The runway is okay. There should be no worry about the wheelpants. There bumps across the runway surface that will give the RV a few jolts at the touchdown zone but they aren't as menacing when the plane slows down since I was landing uphill. Here is a picture with wheelpants untouched post landing.