Fly-in Indian Casino

[4CornerFlyer]

There's some good aviation news here in New Mexico. The Ohkay Owingeh tribe is putting a lot of money into the airport adjacent to their casino because they want to attract business. Although I've never been to that field, located in Espanola, I'm told it's been in a state of disrepair for some time, enough so that our air-ambulance services won't use it, going to Santa Fe instead. It's good to see someone finally recognize the positives an airport can bring to a community.

Compare this effort to the former Coronado Airport in northern Albuquerque, the remnants of which are in walking distance to the Sandia tribe's casino, as well as some other attractions, such as the Balloon Fiesta park. The tribe somehow conned the state into allowing them to take that land, then closed the airport. Nothing happening on that land now...you can still see the runway and hangars as you drive by on the interstate. Perhaps the Sandias will take a lesson from their neighbors to the north.

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/55207.html


Jon

 

[stingray]

Someone in Hinkley MN put a private airport in next to the casino. Shuttle service. It is one of my favorite stops. Cheap fuel and cheap food you just have to remember to keep your hands in your pocket while you walk through the casino, lest you loose all the money you saved.

Dan

 

[tonycondon]

Dan,

When I was in school in Estherville we would fly up to Redwood Falls every Tuesday and go to the Buffet at Jackpot Junction. They would come pick us up at the airport and drop us off. Those of us over 18 (not me at the time) would get a 5 dollar coupon for flying in, which covered the buffet. Apparently there is such thing as a free supper

 

[SkyHog]

The Sandians will not take the hint. I drew up a business plan for them, asking for no money, only informing them of the positives of having Coronado located right next to their casino.

They sent back a form letter explaining the dangers of having a GA airport so close to their big building. They also sent me $10 in casino dollars to use there. I never did use them, and never gave them a dollar after I learned how they cheated the city out of the airport.

Little backstory on it - A company named "The Sandia Holding Company" bought the airport, promising to keep it open and maintained. They hid their motives by hiding their connection to the Tribe. It was later revealed that the sole shareholder of the company was the Sandia Pueblo. A short time later, they started issuing notices, warning about security after 9/11. When that didn't work, they claimed that the ditch that flows nearby would need to be widened to avoid flood damage.

Someone (I can't recall who), offered a cheaper plan to run the ditch under the runway so it would stay open. Undaunted, the pueblo expanded the arroyo and closed the airport, with little notice given to those based there.

The runway is still in pretty good condition, and the ramp and taxiways are pretty good as well. Its a shame.

I'm really happy to hear about the one in Espanola. Are you talking about E14, John?

 

[4CornerFlyer]

Yep, E14, at which Airnav currently reports 83 operations per MONTH. Did you make it in there on your NM airport hunt Nick?
Jon

 

[ScottM]

The Ho-Chunk guys have a casino pretty close the Baraboo airport in Wisconsin (near the Dells). They treat the fliers right with van service and freebies at the airport (casino bucks have been handed to me upon arrival).

 

[alaskaflyer]

Not an Indian casino, but Mesquite, Nevada - all the casinos offer free shuttle to and from the nice airport there. Sweet golf too. Its not Vegas by any means, but I found a lot of cheap fun there for the years I lived in Arizona and Utah and actually maintained my golf handicap.

 

[Henning]

Shoot, I'd just skip all that and fly into Laughlin/Bullhead city. Don Laughlin once told me (nearly 20 years ago) that as long as he was alive, there would be single deck black jack at his place. Anyone know if it's still true?

 

[alaskaflyer]

Shoot, I'd just skip all that and fly into Laughlin/Bullhead city. Don Laughlin once told me (nearly 20 years ago) that as long as he was alive, there would be single deck black jack at his place. Anyone know if it's still true?

He's still alive, don't know if it's true.

I don't mind the casino there but the stoopid airport and the FBO associated with it sucks - at least compared to Mesquite. Better golf in Mesquite too.

 

[ScottM]

Shoot, I'd just skip all that and fly into Laughlin/Bullhead city. Don Laughlin once told me (nearly 20 years ago) that as long as he was alive, there would be single deck black jack at his place. Anyone know if it's still true?

From their website

The Riverside Resort is proud to offer more SINGLE DECK BLACKJACK games than any other Laughlin casino. Unlike some "other" casinos the Riverside Resort STILL PAYS 3-2 for regular Blackjacks on ALL of our Blackjack tables. We currently feature 18 SINGLE DECK and 3 SHOE games, with table Limits from $3 - $1000. ( Note not all tables/limits available at all times.)

 

[Henning]

From their website

Well there you go, Don's still the man. I wonder if he still wears his Kentucky Colonel suit. You gotta trust a multi millionair high school dropout (the principle told him he had to quit his slot machine business or leave school, so he left) pilot to give you a fair break. He also used to allow dogs in the hotel, never complained about her jumping in the pool and I even got away with having a golden lab sitting at the black jack table with me. He'd even come over and give Sadie a pat. I asked him about the single deck when everyone else was going to 6 deck shoes. He said that part of the skill of a black jack player was to be able to count cards and it was part of the game and that shoes were unfair!!! Hows that for an even break.

Another funny conversation I had with him was when he got his new Citation, I asked him how he liked flying it. He told me he hadn't even been in it yet. "I fly my (Bell) 206 back and forth to the ranch and that's most of the flying I do anymore." When I asked him why he bought it he told me "Well, when someone leaves with too much of my money one weekend, I send it out to bring them back the next so they can lose it back to me plus some." I just laughed and told him that if I ever took that much money that he could send the Citation after me as I'd love the ride, but my gambling days would be over. He just laughed and said I was a "smart kid". Don is a gentleman in a rogues business.

 

[stingray]

The Ho-Chunk guys have a casino pretty close the Baraboo airport in Wisconsin (near the Dells). They treat the fliers right with van service and freebies at the airport (casino bucks have been handed to me upon arrival).

I stop into Baraboo when I am close. They always have good prices on fuel and the attendant is always right there to help. He gave me fuel stickers for my Six once. (Someone did not replace them after redoing the tanks) Sounds like another good lunch stop.

Dan

 

[SkyHog]

Yep, E14, at which Airnav currently reports 83 operations per MONTH. Did you make it in there on your NM airport hunt Nick?
Jon

Actually, I did. It was filled with references to Heroin. Gotta love Espanola

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I stop into Baraboo when I am close. They always have good prices on fuel and the attendant is always right there to help. He gave me fuel stickers for my Six once. (Someone did not replace them after redoing the tanks) Sounds like another good lunch stop.

That's what I was going to mention - Not only do they have the casino, they have lots of casino food that is pretty darn good. They'll send a van to the airport for you as well.