December is well upon us and winter is just around the corner - in fact, we have had about six inches of the white stuff fall on us already. It was followed by some pretty steady rain, which melted the snow and turned our well groomed turf runway into another river of mud, reminiscent of last spring. Right this very minute, it is snowing again and our river of mud is now being covered in a new white blanket of cold stuff, covering up the ugly but not making it at all flyable. It looks like it will be at least March or April before anyone flies out of Bermudian Valley Airpark.

As bad as that is for the folks in this area, we have no problems even approaching those visited upon our friends from California during the past few months. Both the Southern California Flyer (San Diego Ultralight Association) and the Black Mesa Fliers (USUA Club #555) carry articles about the fire which destroyed Barona Ultralight Park and most of the airplanes that were based there. To quote from the Black Mesa Fliers, which quoted Steve Maher of the San Diego Club, discussing the Barona Ultralight Park, "All hangers were destroyed except one steel one at the extreme east end of the field, although the plane inside was destroyed. Most trailers were destroyed, In some cases the heat was so intense that puddles of melted aluminum could be seen trickling along the ground." The article goes on to discuss the fate of their home field, John Nichols Field. "When the fire was approaching Nichols Field, several members of the SDUA were there moving planes and checking things over. As the fire got much closer they were directed to leave the area immediately, which they did. One of them had trouble closing his hanger doors, and by the time he did, the fire was moving around the air park. He put out several small fires at hangers and accessory buildings, fires that would have undoubtedly spread and destroyed the hangers and the planes. He saved us a lot -- we had no damage." The Black Mesa Fliers offer their heartfelt thanks to Larry Dobler, the member responsible for saving so much at such a dangerous time for them all.

In all, 27 airplanes, and numerous hangers and trailers were lost at Berona Ultralight Park. In keeping with the Ultralight spirit, Geza Hambalko, outgoing president of the San Diego Ultralight Association (USUA Club 024) has asked that each member "bring all your suggestions and generosity to our December meeting so that we can all pitch in and help our members in such difficult times."

We have one other tragedy to visit in this month's edition of ATP by quoting a letter from Sandy Moulds.

To All USUA Members,
I would like to express my most sincere appreciation for all of the cards, flowers, donations, phone calls, help, and many other expressions of sympathy I received from you during the loss of Mike.
Many of you knew Mike well, but there was one thing he used to say that was always an inspiration to me and I would like to share this with you now.
'Whatever you are doing, give it 134%'
Your help and support has gone way beyond that, and has inspired me to go on.
For this I thank you all and will have each of you in my heart 134% to keep you safe in the sky.

Sandy Moulds

For those of you who don't know, Mike Moulds lost his life in an ultralight accident in October.

In this issue of "The Sport Flyer" we are treated to the fifth part of Lloyd "Doc" Burns' recollections as a B-17 pilot during WWII. Doc tells of some of the diversions his crew enjoyed while based at Kimbolton Air Field in Scotland. The white knuckle part of this article tells of his forced landing at an RAF Spitfire base because of a fuel shortage. Slipping a B-17 into a fighter field must have been an exciting time, but he got it down in one piece and borrowed enough fuel to return to his home field. Upon arrival, the crew found their personal belongings being packed up for shipment back to the States as no one had seen them land and they had been reported as missing in action.

From the Terre Haute Ultralight Club we read that planning for the Indiana Safety Seminar is progressing nicely. They have already lined up Jesse Walker, a local meteorologist, to present a lesson on weather; Jim Stephenson, president of Aero-Sports Connection to discuss Sport Pilot issues; and Alistair Wilson, an internationally known trike pilot from Northern Ireland to make a presentation.

That's about it for this issue. The holiday celebration announcements in most club newsletters remind me to wish a most happy holiday season to all of you and to those you love. See you next year!!