The first Saturday of each month there is a fly-in at Coolidge Airport, which is about 50 miles east and south towards Tucson. Here's how you get there: Map. The local Rotary Club does up a pancake breakfast, and it's great sitting down with other aviation enthusiasts for breakfast, then getting out to see the planes up close and personal. I produced a short video earlier in the spring relative to the fly-in, you can watch it here.
It's tough to pick a Best of Show, but this time my choice was the old Beechcraft Staggerwing that's been tuned to perfection, and still gets out on pleasure runs like this fly-in. I loved the leather interior, with the smell and texture of a Rolls Royce. The run down to Coolidge from Phoenix for the morning probably ran this owner $200 or more for gas and oil, but that's part of the hobby - these old girls don't run cheap. Fortunately, there is always Mastercard. The pilot (and owner) is in his 80s. It pays to stay active.
I know some of you are interested in seeing this custom interior, so here's what I have. Not a great shot, but you'll get the idea. Click to enlarge. For more information on the Staggerwing checkout Wikipedia.
