The 2007 edition of the National Bucker Fly-In will be held at Santa Paula, California on June 22, 23 and 24. This date was chosen to allow those folks who wanted to attend the Swiss Fly-In at Grenchen, Switzerland on Fathers Day weekend and then our Fly-In to do so. By contract, the Swiss fly-in has to be held on that weekend and it is the largest gathering of Buckers in the world.
This year, we will have the early bird dinner at a local restaurant on the evening of June 21st. On Friday, June 22nd, we plan to fly to Camarillo Airport for lunch. This is a very active general aviation airport with lots of war birds, homebuilt and other interesting aircraft. There is a Commemorative Air Force museum next to the very popular outdoor airport caf?. On Friday evening will be the Wienie Roast at Santa Paula Airport.
Saturday, June 23 will see the return of the very popular fly out to Agua Dulce Airport, about 60 miles east of Santa Paula. We will probably be joined there by other local biplane pilots for a bit of show and tell. This was very well received event last year and the owners of the airport want us to return. Saturday evening will see the traditional BBQ dinner at Santa Paula although it may be a another hangar because our host, Screaming Eagle went out of business after the death of the owner.
Sunday morning is the going home day. Usually it takes place after breakfast at the airport restaurant.
If you have never attended a National Bucker Fly-In at Santa Paula, you may be pleasantly surprised at the laid back style. We usually sit around and swap lies then go fly Buckers. It is truly fun. Of course, ?Mister Bucker? Joe Krybus is there to answer any questions you may have about Bucker aircraft. Usually, there will be 15 to 25 Buckers attending.If you airline in to LAX, take the 405 freeway north until it merges with the I-5 freeway and then turn west on Highway 126. Go west about 30 miles to Santa Paula. Take the Palm Street exit and turn left under the freeway. Turn an immediate left on Santa Maria Street and drive to the end of the street and park in the restaurant parking lot. Walk between the bushes and look for the Buckers.
In Santa Paula, the only hotel that is recommended is the Ocean Gateway Inn. Their phone number is 805-525-1561 and their address is 350 South Peck Road. Last year, I recommended the Glen Tavern, a neat restored old hotel, only to have a fire shut it down just prior to the Fly-In. This year, they are open again and the food at their restaurant is great! Their phone number is 805-933-5550.
Again, if you are bringing your spouse, the recommended hotel is the Crowne Plaza Hotel located 15 miles to the west. It is owned by Bucker Club member Steve Craig and sits on the beach near downtown Ventura. Each room has a special view. The next door restaurant, The Aloha, is very good. Other restaurants and plenty of neat shopping are nearby. The Crowne Plaza phone number is 805-648-2100 and the address is 450 East harbor Blvd. in Ventura. From there, it is only 30 minutes drive up the beautiful coast line to Santa Barbara or about 20 minutes to the village of Ojai , a noted movie star hangout.
For auto rentals, Enterprise has an office near the airport in Santa Paula. Their phone number is 805-933-0068.
This year should be a great Bucker Fly-In. Joe Krybus and the fly-in staff are trying to have a gathering that is better than ever, if possible. Please feel welcome to attend in your Bucker or any way you can. We would especially like to see the East Coast contingent, if possible, because there seems to be a shift of Buckers to the east.
Pat Quinn, Event Coordinator
805-208-4589 cell
805-642-3315 home