Eight of us packed up the Seneca and 182RG, Friday morning to set off for Tucson, Arizona. It was about a 3-hour trip in the twin, over and through patches of clouds. The San Juans looked foreboding with their snowy peaks jutting above the clouds. It was a spectacular
view.
We soon found ourselves approaching sun-drenched Tucson. The temperature was in the upper nineties and we were glad to wait in the air-conditioned airport facility for our other airplane to arrive. They landed 30 minutes or so after we did, and we were presently on our way to lunch and then the Pima Air and Space Museum.
Because of some confusion with finding the restaurant and lack of time, we agreed to head to the Museum and chance them having a café. Luckily, they did. We ate hamburgers at an old-fashioned stand and boarded the tour bus. In 10
minutes we were at the Air Force Base, where AMARC is. We were driven
through rows of military planes as our guide told us about the unusual ones.
The commentary proved to be a little too much information for us to process. However, we caught a few things. The Bone Yard is actually dual-purpose; storage and
regeneration. Many of the aircraft are being stored and will fly
again. Others are stored for posterity (those in the "Celebrity Row") and parts. Some aircraft are up for bids. A large
area is reserved for parts and planes to be sold.
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All new aircraft delivered to AMARC are first disarmed (if necessary), then
washed and prepared for storage. Their windows, noses and engines are
sprayed with a durable, white plastic. This insulates the plane from the heat and reflects sunlight, keeping the
sensitive instruments and avionics relatively cool.
Upon returning to the Pima Museum, we walked among their airplanes. Below is an aerial photo of the museum and their aircraft collection.
We enjoyed the impressive planes. The size comparison is astounding when you stand next to a Guppy, or any cargo plane!
That afternoon, we relaxed at the hotel. Some swam while others watched hockey. Then we all had dinner at a steak house and shared interesting flight stories.
The next morning we were off to the Desert Museum outside Tucson. We wandered the extensive animal, plant, and mineral exhibits for 2.5 hours. Then after lunch we returned to the airport and split into groups for our return flight.
We returned before sunset, but the 182 group took a different route to avoid some storms, and wound up stopping over in Sante Fe for dinner and to wait out the weather ahead of them. They apparently had a beautiful, moonlight night flight home. So we all enjoyed our trip - museums, flights, and the company!
Natalie Kunz
May 31, 2000
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