Tornado - 2003

    On Thursday, July 10th, a tornado set down twice at the Leon Airport causing considerable damage to two hangers and many planes.  The very end hanger, commonly referred to as "Captains Hanger" was completely destroyed.  The hanger next to that, which sits behind the lounge, had part of its roof removed.  Chuck Lewis' Challenger was actually blown out of that hanger, around two poles as well as Gil's Weedhopper, and came to rest in Captain's hanger on top of John Townsend's Quick Silver. 

    Amazingly, Captain Rogers' brand new Sky Ranger was found still sitting in his hanger with no damage.  It was sitting in the corner on the river end and part of that wall remained standing.  While the rest of the hanger virtually blew away, his Sky Ranger corner still had a coat hanging on a nail.  Other items in that corner were not moved at all.  However, his Hurricane was not so fortunate.  It sustained some wing damage as well as did Roger Booth's Trike wing and Quick Silver.  John Townsend's Quick Silver also had some wing damage.  A chair flew leg first into John Clark's Mini Max. 

    Chuck Lewis' Challenger sustained considerable damage in its flight from one hanger to another.  Gil Watkins' Weedhopper had a couple bent struts as well as the wing's trailing edge tube.  Jack's and EJ's planes were not touched even though the roofing above them disappeared.