Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I didn't make it to Copperstate this year , but I woke up Saturday morning to some beautiful weather, so I packed up the airplane & flew with 3 other friends (yes, I do have some friends) in that general direction. Leaving Denver, we crossed the Rockies, over Wolf Creek Pass, & then the Sangre de Cristos. We circled around Shiprock. Flew down Canyon de Chelly. Then over to Monument Valley to have lunch at Goulding's Lodge. Then on to Bullfrog, and stayed the night at the Defiance House Lodge on Lake Powell (the poor lake's down 100' I was told). Flew back yesterday morning, just in time for the Bronco game. Life is good!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

John, now you saw the sites, what did you do for excitement?


You toured some of the most beautiful country in the US

I think Monument Valley is the most awe inspiring area in the entire US!
Steve Hawley

Those are beautiful pictures. What is the farthest airplane in the last picture, a Sidewinder?

Thanks John for the inspiring trip report and pictures.

Where did you get fuel?

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

Looks like you had a ball John, sure is some pretty country.....Dan

Looks like a lot of fun John. Maybe Monument Valley would be a good location for a T-18 fly in. Would work for the guys in the western part of the country.

Bernie
N18XS

Yes, that's a Sidewinder... they "borrowed" the stabilator & canopy from the T-18!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

We stopped at Durango Animas (00C).

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Monument Valley itself (UT25) is a private airstrip, requiring prior permission to land, only one way in & one way out, most of the "ramp" area is gravel, etc. There is Goulding's Lodge, restaurant & gift shop, but not much else. There are possibly other good locations in that general part of the country, but I think that is the only airport in Monument Valley itself. It is indeed some of the most beautiful land in our great country, & always rejuvenates me when I fly there.

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Ship Rock never looked that good at 30,000 feet ! You lucky SOB ( Son of a Beach ) ! Beautiful pics !

RB POW !

More great pictures! Thanks!

What about Durango for a Thorp Fly-in? Maybe the ladies could ride the train?

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

Bob, the wife's and I did Durango a few years back and rode the train to Silverton. We had BBQ lunch in the old jail. There is two airports at Durango, one downtown that is convenient but not good for a fly-in . The other is several miles out of town and has ramp space.

How about Sedona Az? Beauty setting and a cool town to boot. Might be expensive tho.
Cubes

My right seat has been on my butt about a trip to Sedona. I’m in woho!

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