10 Tips for Aviation Camping
Aviation camping is one of those little secret treats that makes owning an airplane so wonderful. Whether you’re headed to an airshow, the remote wilderness, or an aviation campground, flying in and camping, or flamping, as some call it, takes it to the next level.
This combination of two “hobbies” or pastimes is picking up steam and becoming the must-do getaway adventure for aviation enthusiasts. Fly-in campgrounds are cropping up at FBOs across the country and opening new possibilities to pilots, especially in popular tourist areas. And there’s always aircraft camping at your favorite aviation events.
If you’re heading out on an aero-inspired adventure, we’ve developed 10 flamping tips to help you have a successful outing and enjoy your experience even more.
Do a little research. Not all campgrounds are the same, and this certainly applies to areas that allow aviation camping. Some places require registration and reservations, others are a free-for-all with a first-come-first-serve attitude, but there’s more than that. You’ll want to research the facilities available, their rules for tie-downs, when fuel operations are allowed, fire safety, pet policies, and amenities. Some campgrounds offer free shuttles to tourist destinations, which can be a big bonus.
What can you rent? Weight is a top priority when packing a plane, which means eliminating all unnecessary items. One way to do this is to research the area and discover what necessities you can rent. You might be able to rent your camping gear, freeing up a lot of weight and space in the plane. Use the internet to connect with groups in the area to see what options there are for rentals.
Preplan and prepare meals. When loading up the car or the RV for a camping weekend, you probably have a jumbo-sized cooler loaded with food and a huge tote packed with cooling supplies. That’s not going to be possible with an airplane, but you can still opt for campfire treats if you preplan. While MREs would be the best way to save space and avoid restaurants, that idea probably isn’t going to fly. Instead, create your own frozen dinners or premade snacks. This cuts down on a lot of extra food and cooking utensils.
Test and double-check your gear. You’re used to checking out the plane before every flight; it’s time to apply that policy to your camping gear. When camping with an airplane, running to the nearest Walmart is often difficult to pick up something you forgot or replace a broken item. Make sure all of your supplies are accounted for and in working order, and you’ll save a lot of headaches.
Get a water filtration system. Water is heavy, and toting a case of it in your airplane is foolish. Many flight-based campgrounds will have fresh water available, but if you go to a remote destination, you’ll appreciate having a reliable water filtration system.
Make a survival kit. If you’re flamping at an airshow or a campground, you might not need a survival kit, but remote campers will definitely want to collect some essential safety and first aid supplies – just in case. Only bring what you might actually need and use to save space and weight.
Consider communications. Are you headed somewhere that might make communication difficult? This is an important consideration for all campers and pilots. Not only do you want to consider your aircraft radio, but your cellphone is something to think about too. Will you have coverage where you’re going, and what will it cost in roaming fees?
Aviation-specific camping gear and shelter. To be honest, there really isn’t a big market for aviation-specific camping gear and shelter, so you’ll have to do your own research and maybe even a little trial and error along the way. Unfortunately, most camping gear is designed for land travel and is heavy. If it seems like weight is a constant consideration – you’re absolutely right. Your trusty camping tent might be an old friend, but impractical for flights. Tarps, bivy sacks, and lightweight hammocks might be a better solution for aviation camping, but not everyone is comfortable at that level of roughing it.
Leave it better than you found it. The aviation crowd is overwhelmingly a responsible batch of people. Still, it does bear repeating that all campers are responsible for leaving the space the same or cleaner than it was when they got there.
Flight first. If you’re aviation camping, then you’re flying, which means a flight-first mindset is essential. Like any flight, your head needs to be in the game and focused on safety and the journey. This means treating this flight just like any other and ensuring your plane is in working condition and fueled, your flight plan is ready, you’ve got your flight bag, and you’re feeling up to the task. It’s easy to get excited about the adventure ahead or caught up in the camping details, but when it’s time to prepare for the flight, a flight-focused approach is critical.
Take your love of aviation to the next level with a flamping trip customized to your interests, likes, and level of camping skill. You can rough it in the wilderness or head to an aviation campground that’s almost like staying at a luxury hotel; a wide range of options are available for you to explore.