The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Dave,

Welcome to the lower forty something. If you havn't gotten acquainted with them already, there is quite a gagle of taildragger people not too far from you. The area rep for Arkansas and several other 170 members live on the "Valley Airport" near Cotter, AR.

Bernie Helgesen has the honor of being the Area rep but he has been seen flying a rag bag! His e-mail and phone number are in the Directory. E-mail me if you don't have one. I'll bet he could point you to a good mechanic in your area,

Yes Sir,
I looked up every 170 member in Arkansas and sent out a group email last month. I think Branson, Missouri or somewhere in Arkansas would be a great central location for a BIG Fly-in. I'll be scouting out places. I know what it takes, I watched the 2000 Anchorage Convention come together and I have a lot of organizing experience as well.

The Arkansas members wrote me back and I have open invitations to several places. In fact I'm loving this! I've gotten so many emails (Florida to California) that I've started a separate 170 email folder. My wife and I are meeting Rick Collins & wife from Palestine, TX up at Gastons Resort when the trout start biting. What these people don't realize is that I work 2 weeks on and then have 2 weeks off + vacations. I've got a Lower-Fourty-Something map out and everytime I get an invite, I highlight they're location and put a Big H beside it.
Bernie Helgesen emailed me and got me in touch with the Short Wing Piper Club. I'm invited to they're monthly fly-in. They are meeting at 11:30am TODAY (16th) at Gastons http://www.gastons.com I don't get out of here till Tues.. Traci and I are STILL looking for our FIRST ever fly-in!
Excellent idea about asking Bernie on the mechanic.
Let's see - What States have I not been invited too! mmmmmm Oh Lousiana!

Thanks,
Dave

OK, that does it Now you guys in Texas AND Arkansas are having all the fun flyin's and stuff OK, Washington state also. Helloooooo Mid Atlatic Is there anybody with an airworthy 170 in the Mid Atlantic that is up to having a fly-in or two? Or am I gonna have to move to the south central states where all the flying 170s seem to have migrated to? I know...the convention will be in Wilmington this next year.....and FINALLY there will be a Cessna 170 event within reasonable range of Northern Virginia. I can't wait

Sure seems to be a lot of interest in Gaston's.
They have a 125 person convention room, restaurants, & etc..
Guess I'm going to have to fly up there about next week, to find out for myself. Then I'll mail out the sign up list?
http://www.gastons.com
Well, it's -26 F degs here, I've had enough, getting on a 747, heading to Arkansas.

Go ahead and put my name on it for me Dave, that is really a fun place.

I'll vouch for Gastons. We have been there probablyat least ten or twelve times over the years and have never had any complaint or bad meal. They have the best trout you have ever eaten, fresh from the river. It is the best"$100 Hamburger" fly in place I know of, (although they may not serve hamburgers). Great place to fly in to eat, fish, or stay a while.

Harold H
Mbr# 893

I have been to Gaston's many times. The grass strip is well maintained and the food at the restuarant, that overlooks the river, is very good and fair in price. The cottages are clean but modest. Again fair in price, about $80 a night.
Gaston's creedo is "you don't have to spend alot to go first class" or something like that. I have seen Gaston's allow camping under the wing only once. That was for to 90 Knots club. But, that may have been because they were no vacancies. There is a state camp ground very close by and Gaston's will take to there. But, for 80 bucks I'll stay in the cottage which comes with a free boat rental. But they get you on the motor which cost about 60 bucks a day.
I would like to know when and I will be there. I am 220 nm southeast. The place is always full so reservations for rooms is recommended.

I have a photograph, taken at Gaston's in the early '70s. Three '52B models, still in natural aumlinum w/blue trim. They were N2626D, N2693D and 2695D. Bob and Carol Coates still own '26D. OLE GAR still owns '93D and a fellow named Walker owned '95D. I suspect that was some kind of a record - - A local fly-in with three (20 year old) airplanes, just a few numbers apart, still stock trim and on a grass strip where they were most at home. We had to make several low passes to shoo the cows off before we landed. It is a lovley place, one of many in those beautiful Ozark mountains.

Lets do it - - maybe spring or early summer. Remember "Convention" is in July this year.....

PS - - -Dave, I appologize to you , for not offering an invitation to you and your family . We put out the welcome mat at this place to almost any flyers but especially to any of the 170 gang. I just assumed you picked up on that. It may have appeared in old posts, or back in the old Yahoo site.

Hey flyguy thanks for the invite! Same to you, the Big H is always out in Russellville. I was razzing you before, because I saw your Genuine Southern Hospitality shining through.
I grew up around Tyler & Lake Palestine and remember going over to Toleda Bend when a kid. Well, I remember terrizing the campground that my parents tell me was Toleda Bend.

The lady I just talked too at Gastons, said the Brown and Cutthroat were native, but that the Rainbows are transplants. Is that ok?
They are open on reservations at this point - I like these Sat Dates April 26, May 3, 24, or 31. Curtis, cottage's have gone up, starting at $95 though. Here's the shakey part about fly-ins there. Reservations must be paid for in Full and you don't get you're money back inside of 30 days. If you council before 30 days out you lose $30. Meaning if the weather was to go bad we'd be out $100 on a cottage reservation. She said they have Van's that could take us back and forth to the campground 2 miles away. Give me Guidance
Maybe we could meet at Petit Jean (have you seen the Antique Cars) or Russellville, or at Joe's Mom & Dad's on Fri and fly to Gaston's for all Day Sat.. I havn't got a hold of Bernie yet, maybe he'll have thoughts like staying at Cotter. wa4jr do you have any suggestions?
Is there any East Tex fly-ins Jan 25 or Feb 1st? I'm needing to fly to Palestine!

I SEE IT, YEH! - in the members sections.
Jan 25 th, were is Lockhart Municipal?
Don't have maps or anything here!
I love Tex-Mex

You can find info out about airports at http://www.airnav.com/

Thanks George,
I found Lockhart, Mexico (Tex ). It'll take me 3 hrs to get to Palestine and I don't think my sister (taking with me) we'll want to go on down that far. I'll probably pass on that fly-in.

I don't have any info on Petit Jean, but have been to Gaston's several times when I lived in Memphis. GREAT PLACE! The flying club I used to belong to sponsored a club fly-in at Gaston's each year. I flew in once in a 172 with my ex of many years ago...took the van to the nearby campsite and pitched a tent. Then came back later in an Aztec and rented a cabin...which I have to say I liked much better. $95 is a bit pricey, but sure is a nice place with a splendid restaraunt out over the river...and river boat rental right there if you want to go fishing. Too bad there aren't places like Gaston's in Virginia or the Mid Atlantic...or a group of airworth 170s around here. I've been flying around here for five years commercially and private...and have never seen another 170 on the ground or in the air. What's up with the Mid Atlantic anyway...is there a rule against 170s that I haven't seen yet? You guys down there in Texas and Arkansas have fun....I envy you!

Hi John,

There is about 5 or 6 170s in Eastern Maryland that I've seen....they are the ones with the round tail thing on the back.

There is a pretty good seafood resturant at Kentmore. MD an easy walk from the airport, but it's best in warm weather when the crabs are in. You can walk to Hemingways at the Eastern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Bay Bridge Airport (W29) and you'll find a red and white 170 there....unless I'm flying. Give a hollar when the weather warms and we'll meet show you around.