By Jerry Rosie (USUA #A86096)

Well folks, the hazy, hot and humid days of summer have hit the East Coast early this year and we are all becoming aware of the effects of Density Altitude. I even scared myself a couple of weekends ago when I was testing out the performance of my Aeronca Chief with one known sick cylinder. The first take off was a bit anemic, but OK (which means I cleared the trees at the south end of the runway). The landing, however, was so horrible that I decided to turn it into a touch and go (more like a bounce and go, to be honest). While rapidly switching my "scan" from trees to airspeed (stuck at 50mph, my normal climb out speed), I did notice that the air speed stayed at 50 but the trees on the top of the 'mountain' at the south end of the runway, also stayed at the same altitude and were getting much larger. I tried pulling up on the seat, and jamming the throttle handle through the firewall, but the airplane still didn't want to climb any better. With trees and mountain (at least what we call a mountain in Pennsylvania) getting closer and still above my altitude of 200 feet AGL, I made a "discretionary, low level" turn to the left, and followed the road until I had gained enough altitude to re-enter the pattern and return to the welcoming arms of a nice turf runway. I have decided that the engine needs more work before I try that again.

Luckily, my MiniMax 103 is still in good flying condition, and I was able to drive it over to Shreveport North (at Kralltown, PA) for the 17th Annual Father's Day Fly In, a USUA signature event. I arrived at about 0800 Friday morning, on a cloudless, no wind, perfectly glorious day, and found that the near side of the turf runway was nearly three quarters occupied by parked aircraft. The day was spent welcoming arrivals from up and down the East Coast. General Aviation Aircraft, Powered Parachutes, Fixed Wing Ultralights, Back Pack Parachutes, a couple of gyrocopters, and even a twin engine ultralight, all made an appearance before the host, John Shreve rang the bell signaling that dinner was served. A quick glance over the dining room showed a fair crowd of hungry pilots, families, and friends thoroughly enjoying the Prime Rib dinner, carved to each guest's specifications by the host himself. The prime rib would have been a treat in itself, but it was accompanied by a 'brace' of crab legs and melted butter, twice baked potatoes, garden salad, seafood bisque and a crab meat salad that was good enough to kill for. When each diner thought he or she was totally satiated, one of John's beautiful granddaughters appeared with fresh coffee and authentic Key Lime Pie. Life was good!

Saturday morning dawned as a day even more perfect than Friday had been. Clear blue sky and not a breath of wind. The perfect weather brought more arrivals, and before noon the near side of the runway was full of parked airplanes, and the far side was about three quarters full. At around 1000, Mike Kilpatrick of the Capital Area Light Flyers (CALF) announced the beginning of the bomb drop contest. In the neighborhood of a half dozen pilots tested their skill by tossing water filled balloons at an orange square affixed to the center of the runway. B2 pilots need not be in fear of competition for their jobs! CALF's "backup contest" (in case the traditional high winds at Shreveport North in the middle of the day precluded normal flying), was a "Poker Walk". This activity enjoyed a larger participation than the bomb drop, and the winning hand (after locating five cards hidden on the grounds of Shreveport North) earned a pot of $75.00. The runner up pocketed $25.00. Just after noon, Matt Leubecker, the President of the Mason-Dixon Sports Flyers, piloted his X-Air, while Gary Keller, the President of the Millennium Flyers, acted as bombardier, tossing stuffed animals to the many kids waiting impatiently on the ground. This activity proved so successful that three bombing runs had to be made before the day was over. Thanks to the Millennium Flyers for contributing the stuffed toys.

The picnic dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecued pork and chicken, corn on the cob, potato and macaroni salads, etc. was served starting at about 1600 and was well attended. Folks continued to 'chow down' until darkness fell, when, through the technical magic of Roger Parks of the Mason-Dixon Club, an outdoor screen was set up on the flight line, free popcorn and bubble gum were provided, and the pilots, friends and family members enjoyed an out door showing of the movie "Those Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines" (a most appropriate title for the evening). Those who were not 'into' movies, or who had already seen it, gathered around the pool, and the keg provided by the host, and discussed the finer points of flying and enjoying life.

By noon on Sunday, nearly all visiting pilots had departed on their way back to the 'real world' and the sponsoring clubs pitched in on the clean up. Due to the cooperation of all who attended this event throughout the entire three days, clean up amounted to pulling up the stakes outlining the parking areas, folding the tables and chairs and hooking the gas trailer up to the van for departure to its yearly storage spot. A good time was had by all and the 17th Annual Father's Day Fly In at Shreveport North is now in the history books.

The 4th of July is also a major event at Shreveport North - but - that will have to remain an untold story until another time. Lew Clement, Newsletter Editor for USUA Flying Club One has published a number of great pictures of the fly In but, unfortunately, I don't have the ability to include any of them here. Anyone interested can download their Newsletter from their Web Site.

The Albuquerque Ultralight Association's Mechanic's Tool Box is nearly empty, but there are still a couple of tools we haven't yet explored:

OXYACETYLENE TORCH used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your hangar on fire.

EIGHT FOOT LONG DOUGLAS FIR 2X4 Used for levering an airplane upward off a hydraulic jack.

TWEEZERS A tool for removing wood splinters.

Ya'all fly safe now ya' hear.....