USA NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow David Monthan, AMARG, Luke AFB, Rainbow Canyon & Aviation Museums

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1 USA NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow David Monthan, AMARG, Luke AFB, Rainbow Canyon & Aviation Museums NELLIS AIRSHOW CANCELLED - REPLACED WITH RAINBOW CANYON! PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION FRIDAY, 2 nd MONDAY, 12 th NOVEMBER Having been first included in the 2018 airshow calendar, the Nellis AFB Aviation Nation Airshow has been quietly cancelled and only on the 20 th February was it confirmed that this very popular, annual airshow in Las Vegas would in future only be held every 2 years starting from This revised itinerary retains the Pensacola, Tucson and Phoenix elements. To replace the missing aviation in Las Vegas we have included 1½ days in Rainbow Canyon to photograph the very low and very fast jets as they flash below you on the Jedi Transition! As this itinerary is being written most of the UK continues to shiver under cloudy, wet skies made worse by the icy air coming in from the Arctic Circle and Siberia. Oh, to get away to some warm, summer sun. Pack your summer clothes and join your fellow aviation enthusiasts on this tour to Florida, Arizona and Nevada! During our travels we will visit: US Navy s Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow 2018, NAS Pensacola USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB National Naval Aviation Museum Davis-Monthan AFB Arizona ANG, Tucson IAP Pima Air Museum AMARG Tour Aircraft boneyards in/around Tucson Optional sightseeing flights over AMARG and/or Marana Luke AFB, Phoenix (pictured left) Low level flying route Jedi Transition through Rainbow Canyon (pictured above) Our time at Davis-Monthan AFB, Luke AFB and the Arizona ANG will be off-base, stood/parked at the landing end of the active runway. Additionally, we will request a windscreen tour of the ramps on Luke AFB. We fly on the scheduled services of American Airlines and British Airways from London s Heathrow Airport; stay each night in a comfortable hotel (bed and breakfast or room only as stated); travel incountry by air-conditioned coach (please see appropriate paragraph on page 6 of the General Information ); and are accompanied throughout by one of Ian Allan s well travelled and experienced Aviation Tour Managers. With tourist sightseeing options available in Pensacola, Tucson and Las Vegas this tour is also a perfect winter break holiday for non-aviation people! Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 1 of 9

2 PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local) DAY 1: FRIDAY, 2 nd NOVEMBER Between 06:00 and 06:45 please check in with American Airlines in Terminal 3 at London s Heathrow Airport, then meet your Ian Allan Tour Manager and fellow enthusiasts who will be gathering in the immediate area. As this is the busiest time of the day, the airline recommends you check in 3 hours prior to departure, i.e., 06:45. Heathrow Airport, Terminal 3 Flight: AA 733 Departs: 09:45 Charlotte Arrives: 15:10 After Passport Control we collect our luggage from Baggage Reclaim, proceed through Customs and then hand our luggage back to American Airlines at their transfer desk. We then go along to the departure gate of our connecting flight to Pensacola; boarding should commence around 16:00. Charlotte Flight: AA 5602 Departs: 16:40 Pensacola Arrives: 17:16 On arrival we meet our local driver, board our coach and transfer the 4 miles to our hotel in Pensacola, the Comfort Inn-University Area, staying 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Facilities include in-room coffee makers, free wi-fi and an outdoor swimming pool. Within a 300 yards walk there are several restaurants including a Denny s and an Arby s; across the road is a Holiday Inn hotel with on-site restaurant and bar. Website: DAY 2: SATURDAY, 3 rd NOVEMBER Departing the hotel at 07:30 we drive the 30 minutes or so to Naval Air Station Pensacola to enjoy the second day of the base s annual Blue Angels Homecoming 2-day airshow, one of the most popular airshows on the North American calendar. Website: Pictured right is a past and possibly 2018 participant at the airshow: a superbly restored, privately-owned, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Better known as The Scooter in the American armed forces, it served with the US Marines, the US Navy and the Blue Angels! DAY 3: SUNDAY, 4 th NOVEMBER At 08:00 we leave for the US Air Force Armaments Museum, Eglin AFB. As well as various weapons on display there are over 29 different aircraft, including: an AC-130, B-17, B-25, B-52, P-51, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-100, F-101, and many other aircraft from the WWII era to the present. Unfortunately a planned visit to Hurlburt Field to see their Memorial Air Park/Air Command Museum cannot go ahead as they only allow visitors who have US military ID and work on the base. By midday we are back in Pensacola, at the National Naval Aviation Museum, which should be less crowded than during the airshow. As well as the aircraft on display in the museum itself, there are Flight Line Trolley Tours of the 50 or so aircraft displayed on the flight line behind the restoration hangar, however, we will request a walking tour of the former, and a visit to the latter (both to be confirmed). Website: DAYS 4 & 5: MONDAY, 5 th & TUESDAY, 6 th NOVEMBER Monday morning we fly from Pensacola to Tucson via Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas: Pensacola Flight: AA 2770 Departs: 07:30 Dallas/Fort Worth Arrives: 09:36 Boarding of our connecting flight to Tucson, Arizona should start around 10:05. Dallas/Fort Worth Flight: AA 1448 Departs: 10:45 Tucson Arrives: 12:12 Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 2 of 9

3 In the Arrivals Hall we meet our new driver, place our luggage and ourselves on the coach and enjoy the rest of the day - and Tuesday - visiting all or some of the following, as you wish: Optional tour of AMARG. Organised by the Pima Air Museum, due to increased security all bookings must now be made in advance to allow for personal security checks. Please annotate your booking form if interested. View from the outside the adjacent aircraft boneyards and/or AMARG perimeter. Optional morning or evening sightseeing flights around AMARG and/or the large airliner storage airfield of Marana. Please annotate your booking form if interested. At the landing end of the runways of Tucson International Airport and Davis-Monthan AFB respectively, photographing the landing F-16s, A-10s and C-130s. Looking around one of the largest and finest aircraft collections in the world: the Pima Air Museum. There are over 300 aircraft spread over 80 acres, both on external display and indoors! Meals, at your own expense, can be take in the Museum s café. Website: At the end of the day we check in at the Four Points by Sheraton-Tucson Airport Hotel where we stay 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel is located yards from the terminal and its on-site facilities include the R&R Grill restaurant, sports bar, an outside swimming pool and hot tub. Rooms have tea/coffee makers. Website: DAY 6: WEDNESDAY, 7 th NOVEMBER At 07:30 we depart for Phoenix, a 2-hours drive to the north, to Luke AFB. Home of the 56 th Fighter Wing (see photo on page 1), based here are some 170 F-16s and 55 F-35As so this is a busy base! We plan to spend most of the day on final approach. We will request a windshield tour of the extensive ramps (to be confirmed only after submission and approval of each person s passport details). Early evening we arrive in Las Vegas and check in to the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel which is located in the northern part of the city (with its quick and easy access to the highway heading to northern Nevada). An exceptional variety of facilities, amenities and activities, including shops are available at this family-friendly hotel and casino, only minutes from the Strip. With an on-site movie theatre, a 24-hour bowling alley and 5 different restaurants. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment and concerts from a variety of popular celebrity acts. We stay one night on a room only basis. DAY 7: THURSDAY, 8 th NOVEMBER At 08:00 we depart for Rainbow Canyon, arriving around 11:30 at the well-known viewing spot of Father Crowley s Overlook. A convenience stop will be made prior to arrival so that you can purchase food and drinks as there are no facilities on-site. As the sun goes down we board our coach and depart for the nearest place of civilization: the small town of Beatty. Here we check in for 2 nights at the Exchange Club Motel on a room only basis. Nearby is a Denny s restaurant open 24/7 and a favourite watering hole, the Gas Station. On-site there are in-room coffee makers and free high-speed internet throughout the property Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 3 of 9

4 DAY 8: FRIDAY, 9 th NOVEMBER After an early breakfast (at Denny s?), we return for a full day at Father Crowley s Outlook. We return to our motel as the sun sinks below the horizon. DAY 9: SATURDAY, 10 th NOVEMBER At 09:00 we set off for Las Vegas a 2-hours drive to the south, making a convenience stop along the way. Arriving at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower located on the famous Strip, we stay 1 night on a room only basis. If our rooms are not ready for occupation, luggage can be stored free of charge with the Bell Captain. There are several restaurants and an all-you-can-eat buffet located in the hotel on the ground and first floors. Also, 100 yards across the street from the North Entrance/Exit, is a 24-hour Denny s restaurant. Plus dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars along the Strip which you can explore by bus, monorail or on foot at your leisure. DAY 10: SUNDAY, 11 th NOVEMBER A free day to enjoy as you wish. One option would be a day s visit to the Grand Canyon which can be booked locally and involves flights there and back, coach transfer to the South Rim and time at leisure. Latest check out time is 12:00 so make sure you place your luggage in storage for the remainder of the day. At 18:00 we take our seats on our chartered coach and transfer the few miles to Las Vegas Airport where we will check-in with British Airways for our overnight flight back to London; latest recommended check in time is 2 hours prior to departure: 19:00. Las Vegas Flight: BA 274 Departs: 21:00 DAY 11: MONDAY, 12 th NOVEMBER Heathrow, Terminal 3 Arrives: 14:55 Whilst waiting for our luggage in Baggage Reclaim we take the opportunity to bid farewell to one another. * * * Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 4 of 9

5 TOUR PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: From: 2, From: On request Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a part Bed and Breakfast basis and Room Only basis, as stated in the itinerary Single room supplement Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Flights on the scheduled services of American Airlines and British Airways as stated UK and US airport taxes, and UK Passenger Service Charge Coach transfers as stated 9 nights hotel accommodation in rooms with en-suite facilities, as stated Breakfast in Pensacola and Tucson (room only in Las Vegas and Beatty) Admission to all aviation museums and collections as stated (admission to Pensacola airshow is free) Gratuity for coach drivers Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager throughout NOT INCLUDED Meals, other than those as stated above Travel insurance ESTA (or visa if required) Personal expenditure, e.g. telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. All other tips and gratuities Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 5 of 9

6 GENERAL INFORMATION Payment for A deposit of per person should accompany your Booking Form, with the balance due 10 weeks prior to the tour s departure. Please see your Booking Confirmation/Invoice for the exact date. Please note that a reminder of the payment date will not be sent. Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc. cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control. Coach Travel only use coaches chartered from reputable companies, with a driver. Where we have had to cancel a tour, due to the small number of bookings, we have looked at the possibility of renting a seater mini-van, with our tour manager driving. However, without exception, the hiring of such a vehicle is illegal if any of the occupants make any payment towards the rental price, fuel and/or other expenses - known as for hire or reward. Any such rental, made without these facts being made known to the rental company at the time of booking, also invalidates all insurance covering the vehicle, contents and persons. The DVLA has also confirmed that any for hire or reward rental could breach the normal driving classification of a standard UK driver s license. Therefore, we do not undertake any tours using 9-18 seater mini-vans from a rental company; either with our tour manager, or a member of the group, driving. Passports and Visas Citizens of the UK are required to be in possession of a Full UK Passport which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return to the UK. As was introduced in October 2004, all travellers to the USA under the Visa Waiver Scheme must be in possession of a machine-readable passport. Non-UK citizens should contact the American Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence for specific information and instructions. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. We suggest you visit for up-to-date passport, visa and security information on the destination you intend visiting. In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provide an Information Line, telephone: (calls currently charged at 51p per minute). IMPORTANT MANDATORY REGULATIONS FOR ENTRY TO THE USA - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) Anyone seeking entry to the USA must have an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which was introduced by the US government in January 2010 for all persons flying into the United States under the Visa Waiver Scheme. This includes all UK passport holders. This means that all travellers are required to apply for authorisation to travel under the scheme before arriving at their departure airport. The changes affect all passport holders from 34 countries currently participating in the Visa Waiver Scheme (includes the UK). You must apply prior to departing on this tour. You can only apply online at From September 2010 a charge of $14.00 was introduced for all new ESTA applications. If you apply on Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 6 of 9

7 the above website there are NO OTHER CHARGE WHATSOEVER for this service - but be warned, there are several unofficial websites that offer you this service but will charge a higher amount. The application process will take approximately 15 minutes and authorisation is normally granted immediately but may take up to 72 hours. We recommend that you apply for authorisation at the time of booking your place on our tour - or at very latest 72 hours before the tour departs, to ensure you are able to travel. If your application for an ESTA is unsuccessful you must apply for a US visa from the US Embassy in London. Once granted, your ESTA is valid for two years, during which time you need not re-apply however you are required to up-date your ESTA each time you visit the USA. After 2 years you will have to apply for another ESTA. We have heard of instances where an ESTA has been cancelled by the US authorities without prior warning or notification to the holder! Therefore, we recommend you check your ESTA when planning your travel to the USA. We also strongly recommend that you keep a photocopy of the ESTA with your passport. For more information, please go to or The responsibility for acquiring an ESTA lies with each individual (and not ). If you arrive at check-in without an ESTA (or a US Visa if you were refused an ESTA), you will not be allowed to travel to the USA. No refund of the tour price whatsoever will be possible from Ian Allan Aviation Tours. It is also extremely unlikely that any travel insurance company would agree any subsequent claim therefore it is important that you act upon this information NOW. Examination of Flight Bookings by US Customs APIS Information All airlines flying to the United States are obliged to provide information about US-bound passengers, under an agreement reached between the United States and the European Commission on the 18 th February Under the agreement, as of 5 th March 2003, US customs officials have discretionary power to examine passenger booking information held on computer reservation systems relating to flights beginning, ending, or stopping over in the United States. The European Commission has received guarantees from the United States that this information will be used appropriately. This requirement, based on the US Air Safety and Transportation law of November 2001, is intended to increase air safety and is in addition to the information supplied when applying for your ESTA (see above paragraph). Inspection of Luggage by US Transport Security Administration Items of luggage going into the hold of the aircraft may be opened by US Transport Security Administration (TSA) officials without you being present. In some instances locked suitcases have been forced open, their contents checked, and then re-sealed with tape and a note left inside by the TSA. Most airlines and insurance companies insist that your unaccompanied luggage be locked at all times; the TSA prefer they are left unlocked! The only advice we (and ABTA) can give at this time is that it is your choice whether you leave your suitcases locked or unlocked. You may wish to consult your travel insurance company before making a decision. Or you may purchase a TSA Approved Lock, available at various local retail shops (and airports); these locks can be opened by the TSA, thereby, avoiding damage to your luggage. First Nights Stay in the USA Airlines flying into the USA are required to provide the American authorities with the full postal address of where each passenger will stay on their first night. The address of where you will stay will be included with the final itinerary. Baggage Regulations American Airlines & British Airways From/To Heathrow Airport Checked Baggage: Both airlines will transport 1 piece of checked baggage per person free of charge, the total dimensions of which must not exceed 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29½in x 25½in), including the handle, pockets and wheels. Maximum weight is 23kg (50lb). Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 7 of 9

8 Cabin Baggage: for travel out of London s Heathrow Airport you may take 1 carry-on bag (and 1 personal item). Your main piece of hand baggage can be up to the dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including handles and wheels. You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead locker. Your bag must also fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area. All larger-sized items must go in the aircraft s hold. Hand, or cabin, baggage is limited to one item no bigger than 25cm (9.85 inches) deep x 56cm (22 inches) long x 45m (17½ inches) high, and which you must be able to lift unaided into the overhead locker onboard the aircraft, plus one personal item, i.e. laptop, briefcase, etc.. Limited quantities of liquids are allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Individual containers must not exceed 90ml or 3 American ounces, and items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. The bag can only contain: Shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Hand baggage can include: Electronic equipment including mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray. Prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit. All electrical devices, e.g. cameras, laptops, i-pads, mobile phones etc, must be fully charged. If not they, and you, may have to undergo additional security checks which could result in you missing your flight; in which case depending on the co-operation of the airline - you may have to purchase new tickets (if you do not board your first flight then all other flights are automatically cancelled). At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note, you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened. Once in the departure lounge passengers may purchase certain items in any shop and take it onto the aircraft as normal. Passengers may be subject to a secondary search at the departure gate before boarding. Any items not on the approved list will be removed. As baggage regulations can change with little warning, due to security requirements, you are strongly advised to contact the airline for the latest information nearer to the time of your departure. Meals Meals are not normally included in the price of our tours unless they are included within the room rate as we realise that not everyone wants three meals a day, especially in the USA where midday meals tend to be quite large. Furthermore, hotel meals can be expensive and in general, we have found it is better to allow each person to decide for themselves. On this tour, breakfast only is included in Pensacola and Tucson; room only in Las Vegas. In-flight meals on the long-haul services are free, however, they are not on US domestic flights. Health Requirements There are currently no known mandatory or recommended precautions required for travel to the USA. However, we strongly recommend that you consult your local doctor or health centre for the latest information. Climate In Pensacola: The average temperature will be 19 C. While at night the temperature drops to a cool average low of 13 C, in the afternoon it still climbs to a warm average high of 25 C. These temperatures tend to decrease in the course of the month, though, as the weather slowly moves toward the cooler winter season. In Tucson: the month of November is characterized by rapidly falling daily high temperatures, with daily highs decreasing by 11 F, from 80 F to 69 F over the course of the month, and rarely exceeding 88 F or dropping below 59 F. Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 8 of 9

9 Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, can provide competitive and comprehensive insurance cover for the duration of your tour. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to. Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request. The Policies for the USA also include cover for non-scheduled flights, i.e. pleasure flights, where the aircraft is licensed and insured to undertake such flights, and where a payment is made. Wheelchair Assistance at Airports Anyone requiring wheelchair assistance at airports must have this service requested and confirmed in advance. Airlines and/or airports can no longer provide this service without prior confirmation, therefore, please annotate your booking form accordingly. Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests during multi-day stays in the same place, so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure. Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour in the USA (instead of flying from the UK with the main group), we would be pleased to quote a Land Only price. This price does not include any flights whatsoever and you are strongly advised to contact us before making your own flight arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc. should bare the above in mind if purchasing non-refundable or non-changeable tickets. cannot be held responsible for any changes to flight times, and any privately arranged travel tickets to the airport becoming invalid. Please note that the Land Only price is based on you meeting the group at the first hotel, in Pensacola. It does not include the airport transfer on Day 1 but the transfer to Las Vegas Airport on Day 10 is included. Flight Timings & Connecting Travel Arrangements to Departure Airport All flight departure and arrival times are correct at the time of preparing each itinerary, however, airlines may change these times with little or no prior warning. In practice such changes are only a few minutes either way, the final itinerary will show the actual times. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc., should bare the above in mind if purchasing non-predeparture For connecting flights from UK regional airports - please call on for the latest special offers available. Airport Hotel and/or Car Parking - we can offer special rates for the above at most UK airports, please ask for details. Pleasure Flights Disclaimer Should you decide to undertake any pleasure/sightseeing flights which have not been offered or sanctioned by us, will not be held liable for any injuries or death resulting thereon. * * * Tour USA Pensacola & Rainbow Canyon Provisional Itinerary - Issue 2 Page 9 of 9