Experience landing at 88NV Burning Man?

[frcabot]

Anyone have experience flying to 88NV as a pilot? Some friends want me to fly them but I've heard the playa can be pretty hard on the plane. Any personal experiences?

[N201MKTurbo]

I've thought about it, but I've never gone. I've heard that it is very dusty and you plane will be full of dust if you leave it there.

[OR75]

I have considered it and really wish I could do it. I even flew over burning man a few years back. Fantastic scene.

I don't think landing is hard.

The problem comes from the fine caustic dust that gets in the plane as the wind blows or during wind storm .

Some say it is easy to clean but a mooney is a pain enough to do regular maintenance on . Not adding that on myself and want to protect my investment .

[Jerry 5TJ]

I've landed there several times.

Everything gets coated with fine red powder. Plan on thoroughly washing plane inside and out when you get home.

Winds can be strong and tie downs are available only if you bring them.

Hot high and heavy ops have claimed more than one GA plane there.

Disclosure: I flew in T210 and PC12; not in a Mooney.

[frcabot]

So I'm not planning on staying the week, just dropping people off and turning around. Does it get coating just from landing and takeoff?

[N201MKTurbo]

Good thing you are not staying, last I heard the FAA makes you take a drug and STD test before departing....

[frcabot]

Good thing you are not staying, last I heard the FAA makes you take a drug and STD test before departing....

Lol. STD??

[N201MKTurbo]

Sexually Transmitted Disease.

[frcabot]

Sexually Transmitted Disease.

I know what an STD is but what right does the FAA have to test for them?

[Shadrach]

They say that whatever happens on the playa, stays on the playa...the truth is...some of that crap can come home with you!

[Guest]

I know what an STD is but what right does the FAA have to test for them?

They need to test for them, because some of them are pricks they want to know who they're sticking.

Clarence

[frcabot]

They need to test for them, because some of them are pricks they want to know who they're sticking.

Clarence

...

[StinkBug]

I've heard of people bringing a couple rolls of the big industrial saran wrap for cargo pallets and wrapping the entire plane in the stuff to keep the silt out. Probably cheap and easy insurance. 

[carusoam]

Photos from last year including a Mooney in the desert...  Courtesy of the rag that can't get aviation stories straight....  

http://usat.ly/2bwdgrY

Anyone planning on going this year?

Best regards,

-a-

[gsxrpilot]

Yes, I'm going. I'm sending this from Frankfurt where I'm changing planes and connecting through to SFO. My 252 is sitting at KSQL waiting for me. I intend to launch for 88NV about 2pm Saturday. 

[N9201A]

CONGRATS on the 252, Rocket!!

[DXB]

On 8/27/2016 at 2:23 AM, gsxrpilot said:

Yes, I'm going. I'm sending this from Frankfurt where I'm changing planes and connecting through to SFO. My 252 is sitting at KSQL waiting for me. I intend to launch for 88NV about 2pm Saturday. 

Very cool!  This is a dream of mine. I've heard of the extreme measures need to protect your plane from the alkali dust. I'm not educated on how much of a corrosion hazard it really is.  Curious to hear about your experience.