2020-10-12, 10:12 AM
(2020-10-11, 12:20 PM)jesportland Wrote: 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
Life begins in Death Valley