I’ve been to the big show 6 times over the years. I flew myself in on 3 of those trips. Since lots of time passed between visits, it was a different plane each time. I had a blast each time. My last visit was in 2017 in my 2002 Maule MX7-180C. Since my plane is fairly new, I had to park in the North 40. I arrived on the Saturday before the show, so was able to park on the South side of runway 09/27. That’s the side of the runway where the action is (food, seminars, presentations, displays, vendors). Most of the planes that came in on the Sunday before the show were parked on the north side of runway 09/27 and that means a bus ride to get to the gates. You’re pretty isolated if you get stuck on the north side 0f 09/27. If you arrive on Sunday afternoon, there is a good chance the parking will be full and you’ll be turned away. Be sure your plans include arriving early.
I planned to fly my Maule back last year, but forest fires and TFRs littered the reasonable passes through the Rockies from Seattle. I cancelled my trip as a result. It seems the fires and the summer weather keep getting more extreme each year. Add to that the sky-high prices for avgas and you really have to be dedicated (or crazy) to make the trip in a small plane. That said, I am making plans to try again this year. If severe weather or forest fires cover my flight plan options, I have no qualms about backing out again.
If I do make it, I’ll post my parking spot # on this thread and will look forward to meeting other Maule Rats there. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather, no fires and great flying.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/wMhldLSl.jpg)
Por mares nunca dantes navegados - a line from a Potugese poem about exploring the unknown.