Stay awhile

So far, we’ve had the opportunity to fly it around the Midwest, and hopefully soon, we’ll be flying it around the West before it heads to Sun ’n Fun next year. Here’s the story so far, a few highlights from the past, and what we’re planning next.

Past stops

Nebraska City, Nebraska

This for me was one of those stops where I wanted to stay at least one more night, but we didn’t have the time. Nebraska City is pretty sleepy, and that’s what I found appealing. Colleague Niki Britton and I lucked out by staying at one of the only hotels in town, the Lied Lodge, reached by the most iconic of airport courtesy cars, the Buick Le Sabre. A grand craftsman lodge with hiking trails, an orchard, a pool, and restaurants, it is one of those resorts you truly never need to leave and could easily be the place for a week-long family vacation.

Waterloo, Iowa

Just a couple of minutes from the Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO) is Cedar Falls, which has a classic main street with many options for delicious food. We only ended up being there for lunch, but the area was so inviting, it would be a great overnight with more options than Nebraska City. Close enough to Wisconsin to make the last hop to EAA AirVenture easy and on one tank of gas, this would be a perfect overnight for anyone looking for a nice spot before OSH.

San Martin, California

The AOPA Sweeps airplane is awaiting maintenance at Britton’s home airport of San Martin (E16). While there’s still some work to be done, N4000D enjoyed some time in the sun at the San Martin Airport Food Truck Fly-In.

Future stops

Now it is time to look to the future and how we’ll show off the 182 before we give it away in mid-2025. We’re planning to take it around California and the Southwest this winter. Britton and I are hoping to check out wine country in her neck of the woods, and then also visit Palm Springs—a much more welcome option now that Signature is offering lower fees for GA aircraft. Last time I stayed the night there, I think I paid nearly $100. If that cost is lower, Palm Springs will be back to being one of my favorite GA getaways from LA, especially on weekdays when it’s easy to snag a great deal on a hotel (like $150 on a room that would normally be at least twice that price).

But glitz and glam aside, one of my big goals is to take 00D camping. We’ve shown that it’s a capable cross-country flyer and can hang with the best of them in busy airspace. Now it deserves a break in the backcountry where, even with its nosewheel and fancy paint and avionics, it’ll fit right in. Whether that trip ends up being camping here in California, Montana, or Arkansas, (or all of the above!), it’s a trip I’m already looking forward to.

[email protected]

Claim your chance to win this airplane today.

No purchase or contribution necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 30, 2025. To enter and view complete official rules, visit aopa.org/sweeps. Sponsor: AOPA
aopa.org/sweeps