High Sierra Fly-In Special Gallery

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The High Sierra Fly-In (HSF) is a significant gathering of approximately 200 airplanes, predominantly taildraggers, held annually on a remote dry lakebed (Dead Cow Lake) in the high country of Nevada.
  • The event fosters a strong DIY spirit, featuring communal camping, homemade fireworks, and a focus on backcountry flying, which founder Kevin Quinn identifies as a key trend in contemporary aviation.
  • HSF welcomes a diverse range of aircraft, from rare vintage planes like a 1959 Broussard and popular kit-built aircraft such as Kitfoxes and Just SuperSTOLs, to powered parachutes, all participating in activities like STOL drag races on the vast playa.
  • Despite challenging weather conditions, including high winds, the event is well-attended by hundreds of people and serves as a hub for flying, "hangar flying," and camaraderie among aviators.
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High Sierra Fly-In
Despite weather that challenged many enroute to Dead Cow and prevented many others from coming, the 2017 event was very well attended, with more than 200 airplanes and several hundred people, not counting dune buggies and dirt bikes that stopped by the playa. PHOTO: Joey Myers
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