By Jerry Rosie (USUA #A86096)

Wow! Here it is, October already. And for many of us living in the northern climes, the end of the flying season is shortly upon us, and our fun will be reduced to thinking about, talking about and dreaming about, flying. But, Lew Clement, in an article in USUA Club One's newsletter, reminds us that some good experience, particularly in navigation, can be gained from the later versions of Microsoft's Flight Simulator. Lew tells us that the scenery presentations in both FS 2002 and FS 2004 are realistic enough that he has been able to make simulated flights to numerous airfields and airparks in the vicinity of Warrenton, Virginia using the landmarks presented in the program. Those of you who have computers (and if you are reading this, it is reasonable to assume that you have, at least, access to a computer) might well consider using some of your winter evenings becoming more familiar with your local area in preparation for next year's flying activities.

And as we begin to "wind down" from the 2004 flying season, it is apparent that there was a lot of fun had this past year. Many of the newsletters report great times had at local fly ins, picnics, Bar-B-Q's and general get togethers. Steve Clements, of the Top Fun Flyers of Boise, Idaho, gave us two detailed reports of trips to Garden Valley and to Idaho City. Thankfully, no incidents to report for either trip.

A really interesting upcoming event is reported in Pensacola's "Light Blue News". It seems that they (Club # 93) have been invited to participate in The Blue Angels Homecoming Show at Pensacola Naval Air Station on 11-13 November. The Station's Air Boss made special arrangements for the club's aircraft to fly in to the airfield for static display. A booth will be set up to promote Ultralight and Sport flying, to the benefit of the entire Ultralight community. Good luck folks and "Give 'em Heck".

It would appear that recent promotions and news of the adoption of Sport Pilot regulations has done much to increase the interest in our sport as many newsletters comment on USUA's record registration of new Pilots (over 300) during the past couple of months. The Mountaineer Fun Flyers of Pence Springs, WV contributed two pilots to that number as they report that both Terry May and Virgil Shrewsbury have entered the exalted ranks of Registered Ultralight Pilot. They will soon be followed by Jason Osborne, who completed a successful solo flight on September 4th in a Quicksilver. The Capital Area Light Flyers, of Bethesda, MD, also report that a member, Bob Meyers, completed a successful solo during September. Congratulations to all these folks and to those of you who, though unmentioned, have also improved your flying abilities and qualifications by dedicated hard work and study. Good show!

In the area of accomplishments, we cannot leave out Bill Tucker's sister, Helen. Bill is a member of the West Virginia Mountaineer Fun Flyers (Club 161) and he writes that his sister, Helen, has been battling cancer for quite a period of time now, with the help of her four daughters. One of these daughters let it be known to Bill that Helen had spoken of wanting to "fly like the birds". Bill contacted a fellow club member, Leal Cole, who instructs in a two seat ultralight and arranged for Helen to have an 'introductory flight'. As it happened, the otherwise poor weather on the planned day of Helen's first flight, cleared just as she arrived at the airport, and she was able to realize her dream. Bill says that her smile was "a mile wide" as the airplane taxied up to the hanger, and he has included a picture of Helen in flight gear to prove the actual width of that smile. (At least a nautical mile wide from my computations.) Way to go, Helen, and thanks, Bill, for sharing that special moment with us.

That's it for this month, folks. Have fun - fly safe - and check for TFRs at least until the election is over when the number of TFRs should reduce dramatically.