AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 31

SWEEPSTAKES /
Stay awhile
Fun stops with the 182
BY ALICIA HERRON
ONE OF THE MOST fun parts of the AOPA Sweepstakes project is flying the airplane
around, showing it off, and showing you, future winner, what it can do. 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 mid2025.
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.
alicia.herron@aopa.org
AOPA Content Producer Alicia Herron is co-manager of the AOPA Sweepstakes 182 project.
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
AOPA PILOT / January 2025
1
31
http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org/sweeps
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025
