Despite winds that swept through the area on Friday. Nov. 4th, the 3rd Rocky Point Fly-In went ahead as scheduled at the Sea of Cortez International Airport, with most pilots choosing to fly in under clear blue skies on Saturday morning. Activities, which were also part of the Sea of Cortez airport’s 2nd anniversary, began on Saturday with a ceremony officially recognizing Puerto Peñasco’s aviation pioneers. Additional events over the weekend included the opportunity to parachute over the dunes near the airport, as well as short trips in the air – much to the delight of youngsters from Peñasco.
On Sunday, Nov. 6th, we made our way out to the airport along the Puerto Peñasco – Caborca highway, and made the turn off to the International Airport right at the new Mayan Palace exit (following the signs, it’s kind of like a traffic circle). The road from the highway out to the airport is well maintained and makes its way to a spacious parking lot. Though the Sea of Cortez International Airport was inaugurated two years ago, this was my first trip out. The compact airport is bright and welcoming, with a small security check-point to go through before heading out to the tarmac. We followed Airport Administrator Alonso Domínguez Ruiz through the security lane and then outside to where a number of small, private planes were parked. Alonso proudly expressed they had already spent the day giving short aerial tours to children, and we got to see at least three groups go up. When the planes landed, smiles burst across the faces of the children as they deboarded. Back outside the airport, a bouncy castle, DJ, and tacos awaited families and Fly-In visitors.
This was officially Peñasco’s 3rd Fly-In event, though I believe the first one held at the new facilities of the Sea of Cortez International Airport. As the local JoinUS paper reported at one time, the first Rocky Point Fly-In was held in 2008 and attracted about 100 planes to the event. Hopefully, this will continue to grow as another worthwhile attraction for Rocky Point! Be sure to visit the Sea of Cortez International Airport’s site for more information on flying private planes to the area: www.aeropuertomardecortes.com