By Jerry Rosie (USUA #A86096)

It is hard to believe but it is August already and nearly the end of summer. But, even with open cockpit airplanes there are still two or three months of good flying ahead.

Many USUA members and clubs have been taking advantage of the warm weather and more or less predictable winds and precipitation to visit other venues as they practice their cross country skills on longer trips or "fly outs". One of these trips was reported by Mark Warner in the "Lite Sport Flyer", newsletter of the North Coast Flyers (USUA Club 27). Mark writes that he left his home airport at 0600 for Frankenmuth (66G), Michigan, with a planned stop at Hinde Airport (88D) to pick up a "wing man", Gil Pataky. With nice weather, the trip up was uneventful with the exception of the positive experience of landing at Merillat (34G) for fuel. Here they were met by "the friendliest guys and gals you would ever want to meet", who served up freshly made donuts and coffee. [Ed Note: we like to give positive press to folks who reach out a friendly hand to transient pilots]. The experience was so positive that it took them 45 minutes before they could pull themselves away to continue the trip to Frankenmuth some 80 miles away. The landing at Frankenmuth, a privately owned strip, was made without incident, and the combination to the FBO door lock, which was obtained by requesting prior permission to use the facility, proved accurate. After doing what most pilots do after an hour in the air following a couple of cups of coffee, our two adventurers headed for town in the free shuttle provided and familiarized themselves with the provisions of Zehnder's restaurant and Bavarian festival. Since my mother was first generation Bavarian, I can really appreciate the good food that they treated themselves to. After a walk around town and a visit to a couple of the many micro-breweries, our pilots headed back to the airfield for a night of restful sleep in the well appointed FBO and Pilots lounge. Another early morning departure found Mark back home at 1000 hours having completed a trip of 452 miles in 7 hours.

Ron Anderson, President of the Light Aircraft Flyers Association of Tamarac, Florida reports on his fly out to Everglades City. Accompanied by three others, this "flight of four" departed at 0830 on a Saturday morning arriving at 1130 just in time for lunch at the Oar House [say that real fast with an English accent and you can see the attraction - Just imagine telling your wife where you had lunch]. All made it back home just in time to avoid some early afternoon showers.

My own 'cross country' was my annual pilgrimage from Bermudian Valley to the Franklin County Regional Airport in Chambersburg, PA for the sixth annual Mercy Medical/Angel Flight Charity Fly In hosted by the Millennium Flyers (USUA Club 201). Two other members of the Mason-Dixon Club of Wellsville and I made the hour's trip to Chambersburg arriving in time for a good breakfast provided by volunteers and friends of ultralighting. Club 201 provided a full day of food, airplane rides, train rides and games for the kiddies, static displays of aircraft, a dunking booth, sky diving demonstrations and live music provided by a local artist. When all was said and done, the club was able to donate $2850.00 to the beneficial activities of Angel Flight.

And once again, in closing, we will dip into our mechanics tool bag, courtesy of the Albuquerque Ultralight Association, to find:

WIRE WHEEL - Used to clean rust off old bolts. It then throws the bolt somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingertip whorls and hard-earned guitar callouses in about the time it takes to say "Ouch!"

Fly for Fun - but do it safely! (The only time you have too much fuel is when you are on fire.)