To view the news from years past, click on the Past Articles link at the bottom of this page.
************************************************
Reminder: Our annual "Ace of the Base" competition was voted to be permanently moved to the August meeting day. It is scheduled, weather permitting, to begin at 5:00 p.m. on August 4th.
************************************************
July 17th
Later this week, several WVFF will begin their annual journey to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend EAA's Airventure beginning on 7/23/2007, which maybe the world's largest aviation event occurring at this time. Ron and Marge Rife will have already been there for a couple of weeks by now helping to prepare for all of the guests. Curtis will again conduct a seminar regarding Part 103 homebuilt balloons. This year Airventure will be featuring displays and demonstrations by aircraft such as F22 Raptors and the U2 as well as a host of others. Those that are making plans on attending are Bret, Steve, Gretchen, Rick, Mickey, Curtis, Kathy, Katie, Matthew, John as well as others that I am not currently aware of at this time. Oshkosh is not only a great place to tour and watch aircraft shows but it is also a great place for camping. There are lots of evening activities such as the Theater in the Woods where many well known guest speakers talk about their aviation experiences. There is the outdoor drive in-like Theater, actually walk in, that shows movies every night. There are also a couple outdoor bars featuring live musicians throughout the evenings. If you have never been there but you like aviation events, this is the one that you need to attend.
************************************************
July 16th
Announcement: Brian McCallen (DAR) will again conduct sport plane inspections beginning on August 3rd for all those who still need the service. Give him a call at 574-586-9581 if you want your plane inspected at that time. Remember, you need the plane registered with an "N" number, a program letter and a 100 hour inspection form filled out when he arrives. He will also need to be sent, mailed/emailed, some pictures of your plane ahead of time.
************************************************
July 14th
It was a very nice Saturday morning for flying and Gretchen (TBird), Glen (701) and Mickey (trike) all flew to Ona airport. Upon leaving, Mickey and Gretchen followed I64 to Teays Valley to see the construction of the new highway linking I64 with Rt. 35. By that time the air was becoming quite bumpy and they headed back to Leon.
************************************************
July 7th Meeting/Dinner
The day started early with several WVFF flying over to Gallia-Meigs airport. Glen (701), Captain (Tiger Cub), Steve & Betsy (Redback Trike), Ken (J3 Kitten), Raine (Mini Max) and Mickey (XT 912 Trike) with Raine's cousin in the back seat were among those that made the trip. They secured a car from the airport and drove to Bob Evans for breakfast.
Attendance for the club's dinner and meeting that afternoon was very good. We also had several visitors drop by, a few of which are now new members. The quilt featuring many pictures of our club's members was raffled off at the meeting. Congratulations to Sandy Surface who was the winner of the quilt raffle. Flying started again later that afternoon and lasted until dark. Click here for pictures.
************************************************
July 4th
Our annual participation in the Buffalo July 4th Parade went off without a hitch. Click here to read the full article along with pictures.
************************************************
June 23rd
Gretchen, Chuck, Captain and Mickey showed up early, around 8:00 a.m., in order to plan a cross country to - somewhere. Curtis stopped by to get in on the map planning. At first they threw around the possibility of going to Chesapeake and then Captain suggested Spencer. However, the fog hung over Leon for a couple more hours. They ended up flying for breakfast at Jackson County. After they returned, Mickey took his XT 912 Trike and flew solo to Chesapeake to check out what he thought was a fly-in. It turned out to be nothing so he headed back soon after he landed.
Blair Ellison flew his new Thunder Gull this weekend. After taking several low passes down the airfield he finally blasted off to take a flight around the pattern. It flew and sounded great with its HKS engine. Since Blair's home airfield is only 700 ft. in length, he practiced some short takeoff and landing maneuvers throughout the evening.
************************************************
June 21st
CONGRATULATIONS! Paul Knapp soloed his new Quicksilver on Thursday evening. Also that evening, Mickey flew the XT912. Bret and Josh flew their trike. Josh also flew around in the XT912 for a while. Gretchen did some touch-n-goes in the TBird.
************************************************
June 16th
Eight WVFF showed up Saturday morning to take a flight to Jackson County airport. Steve & Betsy (Red Back Trike), Gretchen (TBird), Glen (Zenair 701), Raine (Mini Max), Chuck (Mini Max) and Mickey (XT 912 Trike) all left Leon around 9:00 a.m. and arrived as a group in Ravenswood approximately 20 minutes later. The weather was completely calm. After eating breakfast the group decided to go on over to the Mason County airport. Steve and Mickey took the lead. Raine, Chuck and Gretchen flew in formation most of the way to Mason. Glen headed back to Leon. After hanging out at Mason for a while talking with other pilots from there, the WVFF headed back to Leon. By that time it had gotten quite warm out and the thermals were kicking which made for a rather bumpy trip back. Raine stayed low and endured the turbulence while the rest climbed to above 3000 foot to somewhat calmer conditions.
************************************************
June 11th
Ken Skeen soloed his new powered paraglider in a field near Ripley, WV. He purchased this new toy last month and Darian Fields has been providing him with instruction on how to operate it. Click here to go to Ken's member page to see some pictures.
************************************************
June 9th & 10th
Mickey flew his XT912 Trike to Cannonsburg, Kentucky to Join Dave Lequire and other powered parachute pilots for an evening of flying and socializing.
Paul Knapp has been taxiing his new Quick Silver up and down the runway, bringing the front wheel up and down in order to get a feel for it. He is slowly working his way up to ground hopping it.
************************************************
May 19th & 20th
Saturday started out very calm and Mickey (XT912), Russell (Cesna 150) and Gretchen (TBird) all decided to fly to Jackson County for breakfast. While there, John Upton tried his level best to get Gretchen to go up in the Star Duster to do some aerobatics. She declined - at that time. However, on the way back the thermals and wind had picked up to the point that it probably felt like aerobatics.
John from Cleveland showed up at Leon with his new ParaSki Powered Parachute. Mickey helped rig the chute and test flew it that evening. Ken flew his J3 Kitten during the evening hours also.
Paul Knapp purchased himself a brand new Quick Silver Sprint. He and Mickey picked it up Friday afternoon over in Ohio. They spent Saturday assembling the airplane, with help from Russell and Gretchen. Paul taxied it on Sunday. It is a real nice looking airplane. Here are some pictures.
************************************************
May 12th & 13th
Saturday was a very nice morning with absolutely no noticeable wind. Dorn showed up early with his powered parachute but opted instead to ride in the back seat of Mickey's Airborne XT912 Trike for a flight to Jackson County airport. Russell (Cesna 150) and Gretchen (TBird) also flew to Jackson County where they all enjoyed a nice home cooked breakfast at the airport.
Sunday, Mother's day, was very nice. Kevin was out in his officially legal part 103 Mini Max. Ken flew around in the J3 Kitten and Ron in his Challenger. Mickey scooted around in the XT912 Trike.
************************************************
May 4th, 5th & 6th , 2007
Read the full story with pictures of the May Day Campout Fly-In.
************************************************
April 28th, 2007
April has been a very eventful as well as stressful one for the members of the WVFF. Not only did several members take various Repairman/Inspection courses, but they were under the gun to get their aircraft prepared for airworthiness inspections. Brian McCallen, Designated Airworthiness Representative, from Indiana Stayed for several days conducting these inspections on approximately ten aircraft. He will attempt to make it back to Leon around August to finish up those that didn't make it this time.
************************************************
April 14-24,2007
Many of the WVFF traveled to Lakeland, Florida for Sun-n-Fun. Some of those that went were Rick Johnson, Gretchen, Raine, Glen, Mickey, Bob Jagodzinski and others. While there, Mickey picked up his new Airborne XT912 Trike. He also picked up Steve's new, faster trike wing. Click here to view some pictures.
************************************************
April 3rd, 2007
Check out our Sport Pilot section if you are interested in having your airplane inspected the week of April 30th, 2007 at Leon.
Six members of the WVFF attended a Light Sport Repairman/Inspection course in Ashland, Kentucky on April 2nd and 3rd - Blair Ellison, Gretchen Watson, Gwain Noga, Ed Wagonner, Brian King and Gary Price. The class was very informative and, when passed, allows the LSA owner, being then a Light-sport Repairman with an "Inspection" rating to conduct annual inspections on their own aircraft. Michael Huffman of Sport Aviation Specialties was the instructor. This class was very informative and well worth taking. Whether one chooses to inspect their own aircraft or not, this class provides a much better understanding on what it takes to keep an airplane in an airworthy condition.
************************************************
March 23rd, 2007
Rick Johnson called from Florida. He is attending the Florida International Airshow in Punta Gorda today. As always, he complains about the cool weather - 70's and 80's. I'm sure no one here will feel sorry for him. He will be returning to WV after Sun-n-Fun as will Ron and Marge Rife.
************************************************
March 16th, 2007
Several of the WVFF have signed up for the upcoming ELSA Repairman's/Inspection course for fixed wings being held in Ashland, KY on April 2nd and 3rd. This course, once taken and passed, will allow the person to conduct annual inspections on their own ELSA airplane. There is a minimum attendance requirement for this class so if you are interested, please contact Aviation Specialties as soon as possible. If not enough sign up, the class will be cancelled. For further details, go to the Sport Pilot Section of this web site. WVFF who have signed up for this class are: Blair Ellison, Gretchen Watson, Gwain Noga, Ed Wagonner, Brian King and Gary Price.
************************************************
March 13th, 2007
A beautiful day but very windy. Kevin, who carves his own props, was trying out his latest design on his Mini Max. He flew several times late that afternoon and evening. Gretchen was also at the airfield but not to fly. She did a few maintenance checks and chased the birds from the Tbird's wings.
************************************************
March 8th, 2007
Curtis Pack left for Lynchburg, Virginia earlier this week in order to take his Sport Pilot Practical test. He needed to see a CFI in order to get at least 3 hours of flying time. The CFI then recommended him to a DPE who gave him the Practical on March 8th. He is now a legal Sport Pilot. He was joined in Lynchburg by Steve and Mickey on Friday. All three are staying the weekend so that they can take a 16 hour trike oriented repairman/inspection course.
Other WVFF who have recently taken and passed their Sport Pilot's examinations are Darian Fields (powered parachute) and Gwain Noga who took his test in a Cub. Congratulations to all three - Curtis, Gwain and Darian.
************************************************
March 3rd & 4th, 2007
Our dinner/meeting was held at the clinic this weekend. Dave Lequire and friends attended the meeting in order for them to explain the services that they can provide for becoming sport pilot legal - both pilot and planes.
Lucy presented the club with her latest quilt and it is beautiful. It is currently hanging in the clinic until the club decides whether we auction it or somehow frame and hang it in the lounge.
************************************************
February 23rd, 24th & 25th, 2007
It was a rather busy weekend at the airport with pilots not only performing maintenance on their airplanes but doing some much needed repairs at the airport itself. Curtis and Mickey welded a new exhaust onto the tractor as well as fixed its front end. The water had been turned off due to a leak so that needed to be fixed also.
On Friday, Chuck flew his Mini Max around the valley. Gretchen flew the Tbird to Poca/Nitro/Cross Lanes after changing the front tire for a new one. Kevin was there most of the weekend working to improve his ignition system. He test flew the Mini Max several times.
On Saturday, Glen worked on his Zenair 701. Brian began work again on his Hi Max. Linzy was also there working on the Pterodactyl.
Several showed up on Sunday afternoon but Chuck was the only one to fly. It was quite gusty.
************************************************
February 19th, 2007
Gretchen and Kevin were at Leon on Monday. Kevin was swapping one engine for another on his Mini Max. After some modifications and reengineering, Kevin has managed to further lighten up his latest teledyne project by several pounds. His goal is to have an affordable 4 stroke engine with a good power to weight ratio for the mini max. All this is in an effort to keep it a legal 103. Gretchen was looking to fly toward the Nitro/Cross Lanes area to take some pictures. However, the winds were not cooperating so she stayed local.
************************************************
February 18th, 2007
There will be an ELSA Repairman Course in nearby Ashland, KY on March 31-April 1st. Read more about this at the Sport Pilot section of this web site.
************************************************
February 16th, 2007
A fellow drove from Georgia today, purchased and picked up Mickey's Geo Trike with the Wizard wing. Before it departed the field, however, Mickey needed to fly it one more time around the patch - even if it was around 5 degrees outside. Curtis was there to take pictures of Mick's last flight. Mickey will be somewhat plane-less until Sun-n-Fun where he will be picking up his brand new Airborne XT912.
Back in August of 2006, several of the WVFF flew and/or trailored to Peebles, Ohio for Dave Purdin's Annual Powered Parachute Fly-In. This is being posted again because Douglas and Kelly Gaudette from Dayton, Ohio was thoughtful and sent us some pictures they had taken that day of Mickey giving rides to those who wished to parachute out of his trike. Mr. Gaudette flies an Apollo trike but was unable to bring it to the Peebles Fly-In. Hopefully they can attend one of our own fly-ins this year. Read again about that trip and see the pictures of Peebles - 2006.
************************************************
February 12, 2007
A new button has been added to the contents section of this web site - Sport Pilot. Most of our airplanes fall into this broad category (Sport Aircraft) for one reason or another - weight, speed, occupancy, etc. Those who are not yet legal FAA Sport Pilots need to be aware of certain deadlines and procedures. This section will be updated as often as time permits. Any questions or comments regarding the content of that section should be directed to Gretchen.
************************************************
February 3rd & 4th, 2007
The weather was definitely not good for flying on the meeting/dinner day. The WVFF arrived at the Pack's around 5:00 and enjoyed a fine spaghetti and Pizza dinner along with various deserts. A few summers ago a reporter came to our airport and interviewed several of our pilots. Curtis showed that tape during our dinner. Kevin recently attached a camera to one of his radio controlled airplanes while he did acrobatics over his neighborhood near Kanawha City. We also enjoyed watching that video.
Chuck has apparently braved the cold a couple of times over the last few weeks flying his mini max around the valley. Gretchen, after putting on around 63 pounds of clothing/hand and foot warmers, recently took some pictures of the Teays Valley area where the new I64 to Rt. 34 cut through is being built.
I64's new exit to Rt. 34 Clearing the Hills
Eleanor/Winfield Cross Creek Church Sunset on Return Gretchen's TBird
************************************************
January 28th, 2007
Since the weather has been so bad these last couple of weeks, Steve decided it was a good time to send his Rotax 503 for an overhaul, if needed. Steve, Curtis and Josh worked on Sunday to crate up the engine for shipping.
Nothing but the snow flying!!!
************************************************
January 13th, 2007
The club newsletters for the year 2006 have been added to the web site. Just click on the Newsletter button at the left. The newsletters for the year 2007 will be added to the site next January.
************************************************
January 1st, 2007
Even though the web has not been updated in a couple months, that certainly did not keep the Fun Flyers out of the air. January 1st started out very nice in the morning and many showed up early to fly. Steve Doll was the first in the air that morning followed by Mickey Watson. Gretchen showed up a little later and met them both in the sky close to Buffalo. Mickey and Steve were in a dog fighting duo and Gretchen waited for her chance to enter. As much as Steve tried, he couldn't shake her. Going into a tight diving spiral couldn't even do the trick. They all then buzzed Curtis' backyard field. Steve landed and let Curtis and Bret take their New Year's day flight out of his RedBack Trike. Kevin came down a while later and flew his Mini Max. The weather was turning bad as the day went on. By noon it was becoming somewhat gusty. Several of the club members went to the Pack's for our annual New Year's day dinner. Kathy did a wonderful job of preparing her now famous cabbage rolls. Others brought fine dishes of food also.
The Christmas Party last month was held at Curtis and Kathy Pack's house and was a great success as always. We were able to use both the house and their new building for eating talking and playing games. Curtis had a flight simulator set up on a large screen as well as a miniature pool table and a hockey game.
Our Christmas meeting always consists of the election of officers for the upcoming year and they are as follows:
Raine Beller - President
Ed Waggoner - Vice President
Steve Doll - Treasurer
Gretchen Watson - Newsletter Editor/Web Site
Our next meeting will be held on February 3rd, 2007 at the Pack's. The menu will be Pizza and Spaghetti. Bring desert and drinks.
************************************************
************************************************
There is always room for more news so...
Email gretchen.watson@wvfunflyers.com with ANY NEWS that you want listed on this page.
