The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Hello All

I have recently retired from my job in Seattle. I've moved to Bakersfield near where I was raised in Taft, Ca. I've found a hangar at Meadows field and have moved "Charlie" to her new home. I'm hoping to find fellow 170 enthusiasts in the area and perhaps make a few flying friends. I look forward to exploring the great flying opportunities that radiate from a Bakersfield hub.

Regards

Dave

Dave, I didn't know there were other members in the 170 Assoc. who grew up in Taft . I also grew up there and soloed in 1960 at the Taft airport. For information on local flying check with Miles Bowen, if he does not chim in. Are you coming to the Longmont, CO convention? I would love talking about old times? Send me a PM.

Welcome to the central valley. Taft is still an interesting airport. Walking distance to town and home to a popular sky diving operation (they use an old hearse to bring those crazy folks back from the DZ). The runway is one way in and the other way out. Student ops are not allowed anymore. Buttonwillow and Lost Hills are out in the middle of nowhere. I landed at Lost Hills one day and was greated by a pack of wild dogs. They use Buttonwillow to test jets for noise compliance. New Cuyama is walking distance to town but not much of a town there. Check out Kernville (Lake Isabella) for the best airport hamburger in CA. Shafter is about 5 flying minutes from KBFL and is a great little airport with a good restaurant (if it is still open). Does anyone remember when Bakersfield had a FSS and great restaurant coffee shop back in 60s and 70s? Tecahapi and Mohave are good places. Porterville has a good restaurant and Hanford has an old airplane fly in once/month (sponsored by a great airport manager). I am up at Fresno Chandler and we have a few Cessna 170s based there along with a good restaurant just renamed "Tail Spin Tommy's". You will find some Cessna 170s out at Avenal (CA69) on weekends where we have a glider club that is active on weekends(www.soaravenal.com). Come on out and take an intro flight! Oceano is a good coast destination next to Pismo Beach but keep an eye on the fog which can creep in when you least expect it. Otherwise, good flying Wx this way. Hope you enjoy your retirement and look fwd to meeting you.
Harlow Voorhees N167 (170A) KFCH

Thanks for the great recommendations. I have been to Oceano, Taft, Santa Inez, and recently Chino for the airshow. My brother was born in Avenal, so I will have to visit there. I also look forward to visiting Fresno and Kernville. I'm always open to suggestions and I regularly check the AOPA Calendar for local events. I will not be making the convention this year, but hope to make others in the future. I had a good time meeting the members and seeing the great 170's when I attended the Kelona convention. Thanks for the responses.

Dave
N1946C
BFL