Inyokern Airport , KIYK Last Update 05/12/2010
May 21,22,23 2010 (Friday-Sunday) Dates confirmed with SSC!!!
Also Labor Day Weekend September 3-7 with one-ways to and from Minden planned
John Medley is the event honcho for Soarfari Event 1 for 2010 is a three day weekend visit to Inyokern Airport near Ridgecrest and China Lake, California. This location has provided exciting early season soaring for Soarfari in past years, but has also had complete blowouts.
Wayne Walker is the event honcho for Soarfari Event 4 for 2010 which is a four day flying trip out of Inyokern. With a planned one way day to Minden with return either the following day or day after that.
The same stuff applies to both events, as listed below:
Tow plane: Sierra Soaring Club Cessna 182 … Note: SSA Membership required (Bring your SSA Membership Number!!), and simple SSC club membership required, fees included in tow fees.
NEW INFO FOR 2010. The FAA now requires a 250 foot buffer between our planes and the center of the runway...we MUST pay attention to where we park our planes AND cars/trucks/trailers. SSC has to move their Blanik and trailers back a bit by May 1 (before we arrive) to meet this requirement. When you arrive do not settle down closer to the runway than the Blanik and SCC trailers' locations. Also no parking South of the South end of the club hangar. The IYK Terminal is under construction. Also note the remark about the RED ZONE below.
Sierra Soaring Club phone number may be (760) 375-7018, or try soaring@sierrasoaring.com
The use of the club towplane requires both membership in the club and membership in the SSA. Club membership can be obtained by filling out a form at the airport. Fees for club membership are included in tow costs.
KIYK has a "Super AWOS". It is on 122.8 and 3 clicks gets an update and 4 clicks asks for a radio check (just transmit and the Super AWOS will record it and transmit it back). If you are more than 8 or 10 miles out, it is hard to hear (it seems to have a low power transmitter). Normally no one is on the ground to give wind updates.
To get there: Take Hwy 178 East from Hwy 14 or West from Hwy 395. Turn North on Airport Road (very hard to see at night). Follow Airport Road to gate 5. Gate 5 was moved a little further South in early 2009. The new Gate 5 is WIDER and easier to get through without dinging your trailer. The pass code is the same: the 4 digits of the Unicom frequency (look it up!) The OLD Gate 5 was sort of tucked down at the end of a narrow drive with tall chain-link fence on both sides. After going through the gate carefully drive across the taxiway and turn in to the the parking via the South end, otherwise you'll have to drive along the whole long unbroken guard rail along the taxi way. Glider tie down area is located on the dirt strip between the taxiway and runway 15/33. IYK is a large airport with three runways, lots of space, and little traffic. There is scheduled puddle jumper service several times per day (morning, noon, and evening.) which we will need to watch for, listen for, and stay clear of. Last year they usually used runway 15/33 which we also generally operated from.
Do not walk, jog, bike or drive through the RED ZONE, a painted red border in front of the terminal or you may soon be talking to Homeland Security.
RV camping on the airport has been OK. Facilities are spartan, but maybe the Sierra Soaring Club restroom will be available during the day (Since we technically will be joining their club for tow service!). The closest restaurant, Mexican Cuisine, on 178 is good and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Local hotels include Best Western, Heritage Inn, and Carriage Inn among others, although all those are in Ridgecrest at least 6 miles away. Do not stay in the dive hotel in Inyokern (just a warning from experience).
Soarfari visited Inyokern in 2005 & 2006. It was a good flying event for the late April time period with flights up to Mt. Whitney area. No Soarfari members had landouts and everyone had a good time. 2007 was blown out every day. 2008 was great! 2009 was "EPIC!" 4 out of 5 is good odds!
You can contact John Medley or Wayne Walker for more information on these two Soarfari trips.
Airport and Local lodging information may be found at at http://www.inyokernairport.com/
AIRNAV info for IYK at http://www.airnav.com/airport/KIYK
2005 at KIYK>>
