Phoenix Deer Valley Airport

For years our posse has talked about wanting to try the restaurant at the nearby Phoenix Deer Valley Airport.  It has good reviews and seemed like a fun outing.

But it is one of those things that are always, “Someday we otta….”  This week we made it happen.

Restaurant

Very last minute we called Evon and the three of us trekked to the airport and had “linner” at Barrio Brewing Co. Restaurant.

The menu is extensive and the food was good. 

We sat right at the window and watched the touch and goes. 

The airport serves as relief from giant Sky Harbor Airport accommodating all aircraft except large commercial planes.

Outside

While they offer a lot of services, we got a kick watching the flight school trainees from the upstairs observation deck.  And chatting with students on their breaks.

Students come from all over the world, learn their trade and then return to their home countries as pilots.

We really liked watching maintenance work on a big Gulfstream jet.

There were a lot Pipers and Cessnas taking off and landing   We even saw one helicopter.

A speaker on the observation desk transmits flight control chatter.  Of course I understood not one word.  Well, I understood “Romeo.”  That’s it. 

It would be cool to have a job and say “Romeo” all the time. 

Inside

Inside the airport building is a small museum and a flight simulator school.  There were no students at the time we were there, so we chatted with the employee who was so nice!

He let us play on the glider simulator and the plane simulator.  He fired up the plane computers. It was so realistic.

John got on the glider and got a demo of how gliders really work.

Evon and I channeled our inner Mavericks and we flew around a little ourselves. 

I really wish I would have worn some aviator sunglasses.

Well, I don’t actually have any.  Because they make my face look like a big bug.  The sun wasn’t a problem in there anyway.  I’m just cracking myself up.

Students earn credits from completing simulator classes, but not in lieu of actual flying.

Wrap Up

The building itself isn’t much to look at, but they are a surprisingly busy facility.  Everyone we met was so nice and seemed very happy to be there.

Some day we want to experience the same thing at the Scottsdale airport where they have the super fancy private jets.

But for the next month or so there are big activities going on in Scottsdale so we’ll try to avoid it as much as possible.

Thanks for joining me for a field trip this week.  I will say the weather was chilly (hence, I am wearing an actual coat) but it is January. 

How are you spending your Joyful January?

God bless you and yours for a wonderful weekend.