Marfa / Cibolo Creek Ranch

[lsearcy]

Heading to Cibolo Creek Ranch in West Texas / Marfa Area for the weekend and 21st wedding anniversary.  Planning on pitstop in Junction / Kimble County Regional.  Anyone been to Cibolo Creek Ranch?  Ideas, Obstacles, warnings, other advice about landing there.  I know they do not have fuel so I will plan accordingly on the way back.  

[RLCarter]

Junction could be tight to get out of, terrain rises on climb out, hill on one side road on the other so watch for density altitude. Shouldn't be an issue in a "J" but I wanted to give you a heads up 

[lsearcy]

Cibolo is about 5000 feet elevation between two ridges at 8000. How about advice on leaning for takeoff at this altitude?

[carusoam]

LS,

Search for and get a feel for the 'target EGT method' for setting mixture.

Experiment carefully before committing to a high DA departure.  (Patrick's guidance)

The target EGT method will get you the most HP available.  The question to still be answered is...  will it be enough HP for your plane, loaded, with the weather that day....

PP advice only, not a CFI.

Best regards,

-a-

[Mcstealth]

Junction is a non issue for any Model Mooney. Hondo would most likely have a lower price on fuel. Neither has much in the way of FBO facilities though Hondo is better than Junction.

David

[lsearcy]

Just a follow up on the my trip. Cibolo Creek Ranch is a great west Texas experience. Very relaxing. Catch and release fishing, ATV tours, skeet, hiking etc. ranch airstrip is exactly that, just a strip of concrete. It was not even in my Garmin 530 database. I had to navigate by iPad and off  Marfa VOR radial by distance. Staff followed on flight aware and was waiting to pick us up. If you are looking to be 40 miles from the nearest street light this is the place. Be aware of wind is from the east, landing east is tricky to get down over raising terrain and telephone wires on approach end of runway. Marfa is 35 miles and for a fee ranch will pick you up.

[Yetti]

Did you stay in the fancy rooms or the lower rent district?

Did it cool off at night? 

 

One of my hanger neighbors flys his 206 out to Marfa regularly I think they have property there.

[lsearcy]

I'm not sure there is a lower rent district.  We were at the main fort in a lake view room.  King bed, spacious, private bath.  Interestingly, there are no locks on the doors when you leave the room.  You can lock yourself in but not out.  Heat was bearable during the day but I am used to 98% humidity in central Louisiana.  Without the water in the air is was down right nice.  At night temperatures were pleasant.  Rooms were air conditioned well so no issues while inside.  Need to watch for density altitude.  The Mooney did not like climbing out to 10,000 feet even at 9:00 a.m.  Albuquerque Center drops you some 30-40 miles out on descent and on takeoff cannot be reached again until you reach 9,000 or higher.  Just something to note.  

[carusoam]

Nice Pirep, LS.

How was the target leaning method?  Did you get a chance to try it?

Best regards,

-a-

[BKlott]

You might consider getting in touch with Burt Compton at Marfa Gliders if you will have some spare time while there. If you have flown gliders before, you will appreciate and enjoy some of the BEST soaring conditions in the United States. If you haven't flown sailplanes before, give it a try and experience what soaring is all about. Burt has first class equipment and is a great CFIG. You can learn a lot about thermals from him.

Additionally there is some special Soaring history which took place in Marfa. The film entitled "The Sunship Game" was shot there from the old Marfa Army Airfield location and covered the 1969 U.S. Soaring Championship, which was won by George Moffat (a school Teacher). George went on to win his first of two World Soaring Championships in 1970 which also was held at Marfa.

I flew with Burt a few years ago and the Soaring conditions were fantastic on what was a typical summer day at Marfa.