Flying With A Mountain Dulcimer
Feb 3rd, 2010 by Doug Berch
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Doug Berch
Musician and Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer Maker
Ok, about this Flying with A Dulcimer. Do you have your FAA Dulcimer license? Is your Dulcimer registered properly as an experimental aircraft or is it registered as light aircraft? We have a small local airport not to far from us, so this is very important to us. We don’t want the errant Dulcimer to come crashing in on our house due to poor maintenance or an unqualified pilot.
Sorry to be such a nudge, but it’s dangerous up there.
Gary
I was waiting for a comment like this. Thanks Gary!
I’ve been playing lap dulcimer for a little while, I flew back from the states with it with no problem, but i’m concerned going from spain (where I’m based) to other european countries. I already have a carry on where I fit my flutes and such, so this is my second hand-luggage. In a gig case it’s impossible i can check it it in, and with a flight case i’m not sure if it could be checked as luggage. Any advice on buying a flight case though? or regarding non usa countries?
Hi Priscilla,
A flight case for a dulcimer should not be very large so it will probably be easy to check it as luggage. There are several companies in North America that make them to order, usually special ordered through a music store. I would try a local music store and see what they can come up with.
I don;t know what is available outside the USA. Sometimes companies that sell sound reinforcement gear sell flight cases as well.
I hope this is helpful.
All the best,
Doug
Hi Doug!
When my daughter was about 4 years old, you played at my Folk Soup series and later she asked me if she could learn to play a hammered dulcimer too. 6 years later we were on our way to Ireland with the hammered dulcimer so she could compete in the Fleadh Cheoil with the dulcimer as carry-on, on Aer Lingus. I was pretty nervous that we wouldn’t be able to take it on, but they were very gracious and just put it in the First Class closet. The Irish “get” music! (She placed 3rd in her category)
Hope we see you if you come East one day. Maybe we can set up a mini tour?
Susan
Hi Susan,
I’m so happy to hear that your daughter got the hammered dulcimer bug! It would be great to see you again. I’m hoping to come out that way sometime and will certainly get in touch when I start planning the trip.
Years ago I was traveling back from Turkey with a saz as carry on. I had a similar positive experience. The flight crews on 3 different flights were so helpful! I wish it was always like that!
All the best,
Doug