Inyokern Airport , KIYK Last Update 05/12/2011
May 27 through 30, 2011 (Friday-Monday) Dates confirmed with SSC!!!
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. 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 had to move their Blanik and trailers back a bit before we came in 2010 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, but The IYK Terminal construction may now be complete which may give more room near the club hangar. 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, Hampton Inn, 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 has visited Inyokern every year since 2005. It has been a good flying event for the April-May time period with flights up to Mt. Whitney and even Boundary Peak area. In 2006 no Soarfari members had landouts and everyone had a good time. 2007 was blown out every day. 2008 was great! 2009 was "EPIC!" 2010 would have been epic if we wet one week earlier, but it was blown out: 4 out of 6 is good odds...that's 66%!
You can contact Stan Foat for more information on this Soarfari event.
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>>
