By Jerry Rosie (USUA #A86096)
It could be that John Shreve, Shreveport North at Wellsville, Pennsylvania, has it right when he calls his Labor Day fly In the "Last Chance Fly In". It may well be the last chance for folks in this area to attend a fly in, as the weather has not been all that welcoming to those of us who like to cavort around in the air. John's "final fling" of the season, however, was another event to be remembered, with visits from folks from far away places (Maryland and Virginia were well represented), and a roast beef dinner featuring a crab meat salad that was out of this world, the tenderest roast beef ever tasted, finished off with Key Lime pie that was delicious enough to fight for.
Good news comes to us from the North Coast Flyers in Ohio as it appears that, indeed, the third time is a charm. Their newsletter, "The Lite Sport Flyer" , tells us that two of their members, Jonathan Gamble and Don James, made it to Kitty Hawk this year. Even this attempt took a display of persistence though, as their originally planned departure date was delayed by threatened thunderstorms and haze. Thursday, the 15th of July, they were finally able to launch, and made it all the way to their planned destination, as evidenced by a picture of the Memorial at Kill Devil Hills that graces the cover of the newsletter. Good show, guys! Persistence finally pays off. They promise a full report of the trip in their next newsletter, which we eagerly await.
The Ultralog, newsletter of the Ultralight Squadron of America from Perris, California, brings us a detailed description of a fun weekend for six or seven of their members. John Miller shares with us, a flight to Lake Isabella, involving an encounter with a friendly control tower at General Fox Field, who seemed happy to be visited by a group of 'unusual airplanes', and, what was described as a delicious meal at the airport's restaurant. After fueling both bodies and airplanes the stalwart crew departed for their final destination where they rented inner tubes for a trip down the rapids of the river which feeds Lake Isabella. They report that the only casualty was the loss of one hat. An evening of friendly conversation, "avoiding politics, religion and 2-stroke oil" provided an end to a perfect day of good fellowship. On the trip home, help from some folks involving the loan of an air pump, and some sparkplug cleaning were required but the folks made it back home with some fond memories of the good times to be had in the sport of ultralight flying.
The Plum Island Ultralight Flyers Club, of Andover, Massachusetts, announce another planned 'fun event' as their newsletter puts out the word of their third annual fishing trip. From the description of the event, a morning's fishing will be followed by a free cook out at their airport. A chance to get to get together for some fun, companionship, and good food. Ultralighting can be a shared adventure even if our airplanes only carry a single occupant.
That about does it for this month. You all stay safe and remember that there is going to be a lot of very mobile restricted airspace as the campaign season heats up. Check NOTAMS at 1-800-WXBRIEF each time you fly, even if you are only planning some pattern work. Your airfield may fall within one of these TFRs without you realizing it, and a visit from your US Air Force could ruin an otherwise delightful day.
Blue Sky!