Rainbow Canyon Jets

[jesportland]

Hi Folks,

Coming to the park later next week for eight nights. Does anyone have any recent experince or information if the jets have resumed low level flights there? Didn't get to see in late March as the park closed before we arrived and last October saw none. Thanks.

[GowerGulch42]

I've heard varying reports. Sounds like jets are making low-ish passes, but not as low or frequent as before the crash. An email or phone call to Panamint Springs would probably be your best bet for up-to-date info as the flight line practically buzzes the resort!

[DeathValleyDazed]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone have any recent experince or information if the jets have resumed low level flights there? 

According to Charles at Panamint Springs Resort with whom I just spoke to (775-482-7680) this morning at 8:30 PST the jets are back to flying regularly between 8-5 weekdays "it's just like a regular job for them so you see them regularly now like you used to before the crash." 

So this is good news for fly over lovers and bad news for non-fly over advocates. Personally, I'll be spending some more time out at Rainbow Canyon my next trip to DEVA. 

My own experience differs from what Charles is saying in that I'm quite certain that I've seen the aircraft in the area at all time of day and on weekends. It's so fun to be driving down Panamint Valley and "get buzzed" by the low flyers. 

Around a year ago I chatted up the check out clerk at the Eddie's World Nut Factory Gas Station in Beatty who was a retired Nevada Highway Patrol State Trooper. He told me wild stories of him driving the highways coming and going from Tonopah, Nevada during the development days of the Stealth Bomber and/or F117 (I get them confused) and getting buzzed at super close range rattling his patrol car. 

He said that he'd flip on all of his light arrays and speed up just to have fun with the pilots. He added that those antics stopped after one of the jets clipped a power line somewhere. He also said that he heard stories of jets flying under the high voltage power lines? 

I wish I'd had the presence of mind to record our conversation because of its entertainment value as he enjoyed telling me the stories. 

About six months ago while returning home from DEVA to Utah I drove off the main highway and paid a visit to the Tonopah Test 
Range Airport. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonopah_Te...ge_Airport

A the gate I was met with a sharply dressed military guard with a stern look and demeanor of "What the hell do you think you're doing way out and and just driving up like you own the place." LOL He was not amused when I asked when public tours were and if I could get some sort of escort. He was looking at my camera on the passenger side seat when he said, "And don't take any pictures around here" as he instructed me to turn around and head out. 

Oh well, it doesn't hurt to ask. LOL

[Candace66]

...My own experience differs from what Charles is saying in that I'm quite certain that I've seen the aircraft in the area at all time of day and on weekends...

Not specifically focusing on Rainbow Canyon, I've definitely seen/heard jets around DVNP seven days a week!  Including sometimes after dark. 

But it does vary a lot.  During my Sentinel Peak hike a few weeks ago, I heard some passing through at higher elevations, travelling along a north-south line.  But no low-level or lingering maneuvers.

In the town of Tonopah, I've seen at least one sign proclaiming it the "home" of the F-117 stealth fighter.  Though certainly other classified projects have flown in the region.  Check out the following book for an example.  

https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Secret-M...GSP8467DK6

[DeathValleyDazed]

.Though certainly other classified projects have flown in the region.  Check out the following book for an example.  

Candace, there you go again with another fun filled factoid about DEVA and the nearby area. 

I wish that I had more time to spend in Tonopah heading back and forth between DEVA and home. I love the place and its colorful history so here are some more tasty tidbits. 

My father-in-law was one of three partners in a Utah based construction company that won several bids for projects "way out in Tonopah" in the 1980's.  Everyone on the crew had to go through security checks and sign non-disclosures. He also scored contracts at Dugway Proving Grounds in the Utah West Desert and I worked on one of those projects myself during college years after being cleared by security background. Nothing obviously secret, just concrete and framing a new facility building. My FIL was tight lipped about it except to say it was something big. 

I also worked with a physician/psychiatrist for nearly two decades who early in his career was also a private pilot and would fly out to Tonopah from Utah once or twice a week to do clinic at the small local hospital. He would sometimes joke about gaining "broad experience" in clinic because once a month he was tasked to check "all the ladies of the night" for STD's and issue certificates of health so that they could continue to ply their trade as "vital parts" of the Tonopah economy. LOL

[Desert Fog]

It appears that the military still has restrictions on flying through the canyon but civilian aircraft have been making some runs including this Dassault Falcon 7X long-range business jet...

Falcon 7X Jet in Rainbow Canyon

Here is the article...

A Falcon 7X Business Jet Just Flew Through Star Wars Canyon Like A Fighter

[Desert Fog]

News item from the park on Rainbow Canyon flight activity...

"Navy overflights – After the park's request, the Navy has permanently ceased flights over Rainbow Canyon in Death Valley after the fatal crash of 2019, leaving a deceased pilot and 7 seriously injured visitors. This is a significant environmental victory that has relocated extreme noise from a heavily visited area, to a much less heavily visited area of  wilderness."

[MojaveGeek]

Wow, I wonder where they have diverted the traffic to?

I did not like the noise, especially from night flights, but Rainbow was cool to see and I enjoyed looking down on fly bys from the top of the Panamint Dunes.

[Desert Fog]

That section was part of the Edwards Air Force Base R-2508 Airspace.  I haven't checked through the documents since the crash but there may be new information buried in the page below...

Edwards Air Force Base R-2508 Complex

[Kauri]

I was just going to post this same update but you beat me to it