High Sierra Fly-In Special Gallery

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The High Sierra Fly-In (HSF) is a popular gathering of hundreds of aviators and over 200 aircraft, primarily taildraggers and kitbuilt planes, held on a remote dry lakebed (Dead Cow Lake) in the high country of Nevada.
  • The event celebrates backcountry flying, fostering a "DIY" communal spirit among participants, and features activities like STOL drag races and extensive "hangar flying" (socializing).
  • Despite occasional challenging weather conditions, the HSF offers a unique flying experience on the vast playa, attracting a diverse range of aircraft and building a strong aviation community.
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1959 Cessna 182 at the High Sierra Fly-In
Nosegear airplanes, like this pretty 1959 182, do just fine at Dead Cow Lake—the lakebed is like a gigantic paved surface with a runway in any direction you care to land. In the STOL drag race, however, STOL taildraggers still get the edge. PHOTO: Frank Testa
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