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Flying into Sedona Arizona ~ KSEZ |
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Final approach into Sedona. Note traffic
holding for opposite direction departures.
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Best time of the year to go? |
When it's cool, anytime but
summer. |
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Flight time in a Super Viking from KAJO? |
2.0 hours one way |
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Food on the airport? |
Yes, restaurant well above
average |
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Fuel on airport? |
Yes, average price |
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Comments about arriving and departing |
Due to runway slope and
terrain north of the airport it appears takeoffs to the
south and landings to the north are normal even when busy and
winds are over 10 knots. |
Rate this trip
10 being best, 5 being average. |
I'd give it a 9.0 for
excellent, walk to good food, easy transportation. something
to do on the ground, great view from the cockpit. Like to do
it again. |
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Sedona,
“America’s Most
Scenic Airport” |
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For this trip get up and leave early. Sunrise
/ Sunset at Sedona is dramatic so make sure to catch one. Traffic at
the Sedona Airport is a mix
of Jets, Bi-Planes, Helicopters and every General Aviation
aircraft known to man (notice I left out the space shuttle) so
broadcast and listen to the CTAF. Pilots should be aware of opposite
direction arrivals and departures. The runway starts and ends at the
edge of the mesa so winds are a little tricky and landing short or
long will result in a trip to the rental car counter because the
plane just made it's last landing.
Assuming you've just flown about 2 hours
you'll be hungry. Tie the plane down and get the the
Sedona Airport
Restaurant for a great breakfast. Lunch is good but breakfast is
always better. The computer doesn't take breakfast orders after
11:00am so no amount of begging will help. The Sedona Airport
Restaurant over looks the runway and the surrounding mesa's, seating
is available inside or out on the patio. You will find a very good
dinner here too, it's pricy but the view is worth it.
After breakfast walk over to the terminal
where you'll find a gift shop and several scenic air and jeep tour
operators. Pink
Jeep Tours didn't have a counter but were the only ones who
would pick us up and drop off at the airport. After arranging the
tour buy a hat, sunscreen and some chap stick, I wish I had! We took
a four hour tour and had a great time. One work of caution, everyone and their brother has bought a jeep for tours in Sedona. Pink
Jeep has been around for 40+ years and has a fleet of jeeps. They
are allowed on land other jeep tours are prohibited from using.
Spending the night might be a good idea on
this trip. Sky Ranch Lodge
is the only lodging within walking distance of the airport and it's
an easy 7 minute walk. You can't miss it as it's on the only road
out of the airport. Get a room with a view because it's breath
taking. The next closest hotel is down a steep grade about 5 miles
away.
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Sedona from a high final AKA USS Sedona
due to steep drop off on both ends similar to an aircraft carrier. |
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This sign says it all. |
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Biplane scenic tour departs. |
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This view is from the Sky Ranch Lodge. |
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Hard to tell in photo but we are going down a very steep grade into
rattlesnake gulch. There must be a reason for that name so I choose
to stay in the jeep with my feet up. |
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View
from jeep, because I'm not getting out. |
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You have to be pretty comfortable with
your manhood to ride in a pink jeep especially while in Indian
territory. We are clear of rattle snake gulch so I was willing to
get out of the jeep. |
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View from the run up pad |
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Taken as soon as the wheels were up. |
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