I shall look into flights . Not super confident but some small chance.

I'd love to get there, but this year is not looking good.

I'll be demonstrating slinging at the Oakenmist Renaissance Faire the weekend before.  Which I'm excited about.  But unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to do two long weekends in a row.

I do want to get out there.  I'm certainly no long distance slinger.  But I wonder if I could get something out to the 200 - 250 meter range with the ideal sling, projectile, etc.

FWIW, as a former nearby resident your two closest airports will be Reno or Las Vegas.  It used to be cheaper to fly into Vegas, but the drive will be a little further.  Reno to Austin is around a three hour drive.  Las Vegas to Austin will be closer to five and a half.  Assuming the speed limit is still 70 mph.  Also, fair warning, much/most of central Nevada is "open range".  Cows have the right-of-way and fences are not required.  Rarely is it an issue, however, there was/is a 5-10 mile stretch south of Austin on 376 where you needed to pay attention especially at night. 

Also, unless something has changed, I would highly recommend filling up on any supplies before Austin.  Gas and food were/are always more expensive there.  If coming from Las Vegas I'd recommend stopping in Tonopah.  If coming from Reno, Fallon is your last option.

If coming from Las Vegas, I'd highly recommend taking the long/paved way Hwy 95 to 6 to 376 to 50.  There is a shorter route going north out of Tonopah past the solar project, but I don't know how much of that is paved.  If you want to be a bit adventurous and drive a little longer I'd recommend going north out of Vegas on Interstate 15.  Get off at the Alamo exit (also Hwy 93).  After you pass through Alamo you will want to turn onto Hwy 375. This is the "ET Highway" that takes you through Rachel and north of Area 51. 

One more thing, at that time of year, it will be baking hot during the day.  You might have a breeze start around noon.  Between the breeze and lack of humidity 100 F isn't horrible.  When the sun goes down the temperature plummets.  The last summer I live there we got 3" of snow in the valley on Memorial Day and it snowed on top of the mountains Labor day weekend.  The temperature dropping into the 40's is very possible, especially if you stay at a campground higher up one of the mountains.   Lastly, for the flat lander's, the elevation of the lake bed is probably around 5000'.  So, if you're used to being at sea level or 450' like me, don't be surprised is you're a little sluggish/tired.  Between the time and elevation change it took me nearly two months to fully acclimate.

Hope that is useful info for someone.  I wish I could go.  Maybe next year.  I've been wanting to get back there for several years to visit old friends.

Now for the less useful information.

If coming from Reno, once you are past Fallon note sand mountain as you drive by.  It is briefly shown in the original Top Gun.  Which was mostly shot at Fallon Naval Air station.  I heard someone cut down the shoe tree but I think there might be a new one.  Decent place to stretch your legs if needed while driving Hwy 50 "the loneliest highway in America".  I've driven all of Hwy 50 a couple times. 

I've only driven the "ET Highway" route once and it was at night coming back from St. George, UT.  On one stretch before Tonopah I set my cruise at 92, drove for over, and hour and never passed another vehicle.

If coming from Vegas up Hwy 95 you could turn west at Beatty and do a quick side trip to Death Valley.  The gift shop at Stovepipe Wells is a little over a half hour away.  Rhyolite is also worth an extra 10 min.  Several movies have been shot there.  Most notably The Island.  It's where Ewan McGregor finds the rattlesnake.  There is also the (in)famous Clown Motel in Tonopah.

If interested I could probably recommend a few more stops depending on which direction you're coming from.  I lived and worked in Round Mountain/Hadley which is located in the middle of Smoky Valley.  It was 50 miles to Austin and nearly the same to Tonopah.  Tonopah was the closest McD's and Fallon was the closest Walmart (3hrs).