HI there,
4 of us flew at a section of runway at former Dow AFB, now part of Bangor
Intl Airport this weekend. While we were there, Bob Hogan came up with a
potentially good idea - a week long (or so) buggy rally at the now-closed
Loring AFB in Limestone Maine. Limestone is waaay up there in northern
Maine. Every year they have a big Phish concert up there that draws
thousands. The fans pretty much all camp on the base, I guess. Bob thought
that if Phish could use the base that maybe we could, too. There is a big
push to get businesses into the complex now, and they have a website set up
that gives some details ( http://www.loring.maine.com/ ). There are a few
aerial shots of the complex. The main draw for us would be the
still-maintained 12,100 ft runway, but there is also a giant 125,000 sq ft
hangar with a 60' ceiling... if we could use that we'd have something to do
if it rained! (there are a bunch of other buildings w/ 20'+ ceilings, too).
There are also some other taxiways and runways, 75 miles of paved roads
(don't know if they're in use, wooded or powerline lined) onsite camping
($5/tent, $15 RV hookup), at least one onsite motel, bowling alley, canoe
rentals, child care, and yes, what you've all been waiting to hear, an
onsite beauty salon!! Northern Maine is very flat so the wind should be
pretty good.
Site fee might be a factor... if there's interest one of us will look into
it.
Who'd be interested in coming up? If we had to charge to cover a site fee
what would be reasonable? I don't think any of us would be interested in
making any money from this.
Check out this page, too... http://globe.lmi.org/parcels/LORING/Loring.htx .
They have an aerial photo of the runway area (lots of pavement!) and some
video fly-bys.
Other negatives - a few hours drive from the nearest major airport (tho
there may be flights from Bangor to Caribou). Pesky bugs at some times of
the year. Basically in the middle of nowhere. Runways are probably aligned
parallel to the prevailing winds ... right?)
There's no sense in us doing any more research if no one's interested, so
let me know if you are!
Mark Frasier
PS...