By Jerry Rosie (USUA #A86096)

Hello again, Low and Slow enthusiasts around the world...

Here it's already August and we are looking towards September. That brings the start of another school year and the end of summer. As we are looking forward to traditionally cooler, dryer days in September and October; hopefully, there is still time to get in enough flying to carry us through the winter months.

I am asserting the editor's prerogative again this month and starting with reports closer to home. The Millennium Flyers Charity Fly In at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania was blessed by the weather gods and was more successful than was anticipated. By conservative estimate, there were approximately 55 airplanes, of all types and descriptions. Pilots flew in to Chambersburg to enjoy good food, watch the sky divers in action, dunk Millennium Flyers members in the dunking booth, look over each other's airplanes, and talk flying with old friends. The local townspeople also participated and a total of 48 paying passengers took advantage of the scenic flights of the area offered by Carlisle Airways. Sixty-seven Young Eagles were introduced to the joys of aviation by the Hagerstown, Maryland chapter of EAA. When the two-day event was over, games and raffles netted about $1,750 - $1,500 of which was donated to Mercy Medical/Angel Flight. The remainder of the funds was put into the bank as seed money for next year's event. Even though a few hundred people enjoyed themselves during this weekend event, the Chambersburg council persists in its desire to close the airport and sell the facility to the highest bidder. Concerned members of the community are continuing their efforts to convince the county commissioners to sponsor an airport authority which can purchase the airport from the borough and continue to operate it as an airport. The Millenium Flyers support their efforts.

As "Around the Patch" goes to the web site, the folks at the Capital Area Light Flyers in Libertytown, Maryland held their annual Safety and Maintenance Clinic on 16 August. It was rescheduled from a rained out date earlier this spring. In September, look for a full report about the event on this web page.

The Mason-Dixon Sport Flyers from Bermudian Valley Airpark in Wellsville, Pennsylvania are preparing to hold the Labor Day Fly In at Shreveport North (Footlight Ranch). This will be a combined event that incorporates the events of the annual Labor Day Fly In with the Father's Day Fly In that was rained out in June.

The Ultralight Squadron of America from Perris, California (Club #005) has resumed the club's competitive events that are held during each meeting (weather permitting). The first event was won by Jim Farthing, who flew his Beaver. With an overall 13 points, he beat the second place winner "Doc" Willard (in a GT-400) by one point. Also of major importance is the announcement that their home field, PVAS, won the competition for hosting the 2004 National Sky Diving meeting. Kudo's go to Geri Brown and her compatriots on this outstanding win.

Jim Farthing, club president, gives us some valuable advice. In his column in the club's newsletter, "The Untralog," he points out that at a busy airfield, it behoves everyone to fly by the rules. Observe the prescribed landing patterns and altitudes and "see and avoid" is every ultralight pilot's responsibility.

Safety seems to be on nearly everyone's mind this month as the editor of the Terre Haute Ultralight Club's newsletter reports two incidents during the past month. One incident resulted in airplane damage due to suspected carb ice and the other required an off-airfield landing due to a bearing seizing in the reduction drive assembly. Thankfully, no one was injured in either incident. The positive outcomes can be attributed to their previous training in emergency procedures.

The Sport Flyers of Marietta, Georgia had a very successful Air Rally 2003. A wonderful example of how ultralighters help the community, was how the club took advantage of their event to provide training to the local Boy Scouts in pursuit of a merit badge in aviation. Photos in their newsletter show the Boy Scouts returning the gesture by performing the flag raising at the opening ceremony.

The account of another fun event comes from the Black Mesa Flyers of Prescott, Arizona. Some of their USUA members are also members of EAA Chapter 658. In April, this group started to construct a half-scale replica of the original Wright Flyer and, inspite of all the nay sayers, completed it in time to enter it in the July 4th Parade. The flyer is currently on display in the Gateway Mall. It will be used as a visual aid to promote aviation to local schools and civic organizations. Way to go folks - another example of flying folks giving to the community!

The Tri-State Ultralight Pilots Association of Ohio tantalizes us with a teaser that reads "I know Brenda went on the Dayton-to-Kitty-Hawk trip and am looking forward to her report in next month's newsletter." As are all of us! We are waiting, impatiently, to hear all the glorious details!

Our final fun event for this month comes to us from Gary White of the Middle Tennessee Ultralight Group who had the unique opportunity of being a passenger in a two-place Quicksilver in Costa Rica. Seems two-place ultralights are legal in Costa Rica and they can be flown as a commercial endeavor. Gary took advantage of the situation and bought a sight seeing ride of the island. The flight included a close-to-the-surface trip out to sea. The pilot (an Airbus captain) commented, "We call this ultralight surfing." All the thrills of surfing without getting sand in your bathing suit. What could be better?

That's it for this month folks. Remember to fly safe, perform a good preflight, and watch out for the other guy. We want to see all of you here again next month....