East Central Fly-In with the Wild & Wonderful Whites
(Location: Castlewood, VA)
Looking for an excuse to put a few extra hours on the Hobbs and spend a weekend with fellow tailwheel enthusiasts? Members of the International 180/185 Club are invited to join the Wild & Wonderful Whites for a Southeastern Fly-In in the mountains of Southwest Virginia on the weekend of September 11-13th.
Guests are encouraged to arrive Friday evening at private grass strip 19VA in Castlewood, Virginia (NEW LOCATION FOR 2026). If your idea of a perfect fly-in involves sleeping beneath the stars and under your airplane's wing, you're welcome to camp right on the field at 19VA. A shower, restroom facilities, and a small kitchenette will be available for camping guests throughout the weekend.
For those who prefer a comfortable bed and modern conveniences, shuttle transportation will be available to The Western Front Hotel, a charming boutique hotel located about 1.5 miles away in St. Paul, Virginia. Please call 276-738-3040 to book by August 11th to book your room under the group discount ($116 for King, $134 for Double Queens, $152 for Double Queen with Bunk). Reservations can be made under “International 180/185 Club” and are fully refundable if cancelled within 24 hours of check-in.
Friday evening, we'll gather for dinner at Puerto Nuevo (Mexican), where good food and even better flight stories are guaranteed. Light refreshments and board games will follow at the hotel’s “Roost.” The Roost also boasts a pool table, dart boards, and big screen TVs.
Saturday's adventure includes a morning hike at Oxbow Lake, followed by a fly-out to TN54 in Telford, Tennessee, where club members Blaine and Elicia White will host a Southern-style BBQ lunch at their home grass strip. Come hungry and prepared for an afternoon of fellowship, yard games, skeet shooting, and the kind of conversations that inevitably begin with, "You won't believe what happened on a flight once..." Whether you're swapping maintenance tips, discussing backcountry techniques, or debating the ideal 180/185 setup, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the company of fellow aviators. Following the festivities, guests will return to the hotel for an evening of light refreshments, games, and relaxation. It's the perfect chance to unwind, make new friends, and continue solving the world's aviation challenges one story at a time.
Sunday departures are at your leisure. Whether you're heading home, exploring a new destination, or simply taking the scenic route, we hope you'll leave with a few more memories, a few more friends, and perhaps a renewed appreciation for why these airplanes—and the people who fly them—are so special.
We look forward to welcoming you for a weekend of mountain flying, grass strips, good food, and great company. After all, the best part of any fly-in isn't the destination—it's the people you meet along the way.
If you have questions, please call Scott White at 423-571-0185 or Elicia White at 276-202-9143.