The procrastinator’s guide to the Super Bowl, the return of the Gilded Age and equestrian action with the Brits.

The Super Bowl, February 3

So what if it’s shaping up to be another blowout for the AFC. This is the Super Bowl! Or as we in the general-aviation community like to call it, “The Biggest Fly-In on the Planet.” With three top-flight FBOs in the greater Phoenix area, there’s plenty of room to land even if XLII approaches XLI’s record number of operations — just make a reservation so you’re not circling waiting for an off-peak landing. For plan-ahead types still without tickets or a place to stay, admitone.com or tickco.com are two good bets for seats, but don’t bother calling the Biltmore or the Ritz. (Even the waiting list to get on the waiting list is closed.) Instead, try rent-arizona.com, which will set you up in a luxe hacienda with a kidney-shaped pool for the entire week for $4,900 to $5,600. The best party is Wednesday night’s Big Ticket Gala at the Phoenician to benefit the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Chris Berman handling the play-by-play, a monologue by Jay Leno and the auctioning off of a Harley signed by all of the celebs in attendance. For $10,000 you can even score a pair of sweet tickets to the game and entrance to the VIP pre-party, where you get to rub elbows with the actual living Hall of Famers there. Make sure to say hello to pre-game commentator and Private Air cover boy Terry Bradshaw (see page 68).
Fly into Swift Aviation Group or Cutter Aviation (11,489 feet), both at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, or Falcon Executive Aviation (runway 5,100 feet). azsuperbowl.com

Gilded Age Dinner, December 15

In 1892, the New York Times published the “Four Hundred,” then considered to be the only 400 people who mattered in society. It was also the number of people who would fit into Newport, Rhode Island doyenne Caroline Astor’s ballroom. Today, what with Internet money and hedge funds, things have opened up a bit . . . and not. Come get a taste of the gilded old days at this glittering affair for just 200 thrown by co-chair Mrs. Pierre duPont Irving to benefit the local preservation society. Held in the Breakers, the breathtakingly beautiful (and huge) Newport mansion built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the $250-to-$500-a-head event starts with cocktails in the loggia, followed by a seated dinner in the Great Hall — decked out for the occasion by Mrs. duPont Irving and her peeps in silver and white — and finishes with a flourish in the music room from the nine-piece Mac Chrupcala Orchestra.
Fly into Newport State Airport (runway 3,000 feet). newportmansions.org

English Tailgating, December–January

The Brits start their point-to-point season earlier than we Yanks — and it can make for an awfully snuggly midwinter getaway. Weekends throughout December and January, up to 20,000 of the horsey set converge on Devon and Cornwall for picnicking, wagering and showing off all that fabulous tweed. Each race takes place at one of the area’s most lavish estates — and admission is usually around £20.
Fly into Bristol Flying Centre (runway 6,598 feet). pointtopoint.co.uk

Next article » The Factory-Certified Pre-Owned BMW of Planes

Previous article « Yours Ready to go