Blue over Green, Tent in Between

I’m old, I’m cranky. Why do I keep air-camping? There are so many reasons.

Amy Laboda

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:15 AM ET

Verified

There's lots to keep in mind if you decide to go air-camping. [Courtesy: Amy Laboda]

Key Takeaways:

Air-camping offers pilots a frugal and unique way to access desirable destinations that might otherwise be unaffordable due to expensive lodging, also serving as practical emergency accommodation.
Essential air-camping gear includes a quality, slightly oversized tent, a tarp for weather protection, minimalist cooking supplies (focused on boiling water and avoiding compressed gas in unpressurized aircraft), and a comfortable sleeping setup.
Pilots can find airfields suitable for camping using resources like the Recreational Aviation Foundation Airfield Guide, with the author emphasizing the importance of coffee and a lighthearted attitude for a successful trip.

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Everything hurts. I’m not going to open my eyes. Oh, hell. Bladder warning. Reality check. I’m going to have to move.

Eyes open, I’m assaulted by the day-glo orange of the hyperlight tent I’m lying inside. There’s a bucolic moment where I hear birdsong—and then something else. The rapid beating of blades on air. A helicopter: big, inbound. Where was that helicopter pad staked out?