Cessna 170s Flock to MPJ

By Ralph McCormick

Petit Jean Mountain Airport was home to the Cessna 170 Association  fly-in May 7-9.  David Laseter organized the May fly-in.  Cessna 170s from GA, TX, TN, OK, AR, MS,  and MN attended the event.  Approximately 15 planes flew in for the event.  Food was served and the group toured the mountain and the different attractions.  The event ended on Sunday. 

Petit Jean Mountain (MPJ) Airport is Arkansas’ only fly-in and camp out airport.  MPJ is by no means a little airport.  The length of the runway closes in on six-thousand feet with a lake at the south end of it and the north end is just hundreds of feet from the mountains edge.  The mountain/plateau rises above the Arkansas River Valley about five hundred feet.  There is a seven day FBO with aviation fuel (no jet) located at the airport.   

On the mountain, pilots find an antique car museum, many cabins, picnic areas, homes for rent and just plain old nature with a rare scenic waterfall.  Morrilton Aviation is the FBO and takes care of reservations for the camp out area.  Oh, did I mention that the campout area had restrooms and showers.  Which, by the way, the camp ground is nicer than some of the motels I have recently stayed.

Copyright 2004