WV Fun Flyers - December - 2003
PRESIDENTS COLUMN
Wednesday December 17th, 2003
Leon Airport 2:00 p.m.: Today, Rick Johnson and Paul Knapp reproduced the Wright Brothers first flight at 10:35 a.m. from the Leon Airport. Of course they were not limited by 1903 technology and chose to fly a Challenger and a Buckeye Powered parachute respectively. Not to be out done, Kevin Pauley flew a few hours later braving both snow and carburetor ice to honor the Wright Brothers epic flight. The fun flyers score again to keep our tradition of flight alive in the mountain state and beyond. Fly safe, Curtis
New Years Flights! 2004
Darin Fields opened the New Year with a first flight at 8:30 a.m. in his powered paraglider. He proceeded to fly for the next two hours at altitudes mostly above 1500 feet until at 2 hours and seven minutes his fuel ran out and he glided to a touchdown at Leon Airport. He was followed by Glen Beckett in his 701 and the rest of us (Mickey Watson, Bret Shirley, Steve Doll, Linzy Hickman, John Townson, Kevin Pauley, Chuck Lewis, Gretchen Watson, Rainey Beller, Captain Rogers, Andy Hudnall, Melvin Miller, and possibly one or two I missed), all who flew into the new year.
The weather was a gift from God with mild temperatures in the 50's and light winds favoring our home runway. Flights started early in the morning and continued all day with only a short break to sample a bit of new years cabbage. Kevin Pauley entertained us with a few flights of his electric model r/c/ Piper Cub and Mickey and company launched two model rockets into orbit (o.k. really near earth orbit). Darin was the star for the day as he took off early in his paraglider (temps in the high 20's), then to the trike and the T-Bird getting flight instruction in both! What a way to start the year.
Several planes were noted to be enjoying the mild temps and favorable winds. Quick Silvers, Pterodactyls, Trikes, Mini Maxs', Hurricanes, and Flying backpacks filled the New Years day as pilots initiated the new Year of 2004. We looked for you at the field and hope you had a great day in the air somewhere on new years day. As a note, the last pilot to fly from our little field, was Gretchen Watson with a late evening flight in the T-Bird on December 31, 2003. Happy New Year in 2004 and may your landings equal your takeoffs.
Fly safe, Curtis (reporting from Leon Airport)
How A Baghdad-Bound 747 Turns Invisible...
So how do you fly a Boeing 747-200B, over five stories high and more than 200 feet long, carrying a gaggle of reporters and the U.S. president and his staff, halfway across the world's airspace, without anybody noticing? Well, it isn't easy. First, you hustle the press pool off, hush-hush, without any explanation, to the secluded, secure ramp at Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas. It's Wednesday evening, the sun has set, Air Force One is dark, and the reporters surrender their cell phones. The flight crew had prepared for what they believed was a milk run to Washington for maintenance. President Bush arrived and climbed up the rear stairs instead of the front gangway as usual, so airport workers wouldn't notice him. The plane took off at 7:25 p.m. local time, without running lights and with all the window shades pulled down. As with all Air Force One flights, this one was conducted as a military mission, under military flight rules.
Two hours later, the airplane touched down and rolled into a hangar at the 140,000-square-foot maintenance and support complex at Andrews Air Force Base, outside Washington, D.C., where the 747's sister ship awaited. The other 747 was all fueled and catered and ready for the 10 1/2 hour flight to Baghdad. Inside the hangar, the passengers were debarked and reboarded, and a few more journalists arrived, for a total of 13 reporters and photographers. They took off again, in the dark and in secret. At one point during the flight, the pilot of a British Airways jet spotted the plane with its distinctive blue-and-gold livery, and asked over the radio, "Did I just see Air Force One?" After a pause, the president's pilot, Col. Mark Tillman, responded, "Gulfstream five." The British Airways pilot seemed to sense that he was in on a secret, The New York Times reported, and replied simply, "Oh." The plane landed without lights in the darkness, at about 5:30 p.m. local time, with the cabin lights turned off and the shades drawn.
THE WRIGHT EXPERIENCE
By Rick Johnson
Can history repeat itself? Some think so, but on December 17, 2003 it did not. This date will be etched in my mind forever. You will recall that December 17, 2003 was the anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight. There was some 35,000 onlookers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina as the joint effort of EAA and Ford Motor Company tried to recreate the first flight with the Wright flyer replica.
I was unable to attend the event, so I decided the next best thing would be to make a flight at 10:35 AM at Leon Airfield in recognition of the Wright achievement. I arrived at the field about 10:00 AM. The weather was cold with a light snow over the grass strip. Light snow was still falling.
I thought that there would be several other pilots at the field to help commemorate the event. I was surprised to be alone, and very pleased to see Paul Knapp show up as I was doing my pre-flight on the Challenger II. With the wind just a little more than Paul wanted for his power parachute, I asked him to use my 35mm camera to document my flights. I wanted to make three.
After the pre-flight with some time on my hands I decided to install the handheld radio so I could broadcast my intention. I wanted to let it be known that Leon Airfield has the Spirit of Flight, and to hear if any other pilots may be in the air to celebrate the event. As I did a radio check I found the battery to be almost dead. I knew I would not be able to transmit for any distance, but what the heck, I had come this far.
I warmed the engine and started my taxi trip to the end of the airfield. It’s what happened next that will stay with me a lifetime. As I said, what the heck, I will broadcast anyway, and if anyone hears me, OK. "Leon traffic, this is Challenger 017 Romeo Juliet back taxiing runway 3 to reenact the Wright Flight. With the weak batteries in the radio, I was really surprised to hear a voice on 122.9. It was a somber sounding voice very weak in volume, as I snugged up my headset and tuned in my ears to what was being said, then came the reality of what was happening. I will not swear to you, but I believe with all my heart it was one of the Wright Brothers, his spirit was speaking to me as if it was the First Flight. "Have you checked everything? Your gas, all the rigging, yourself, are you ready for this? What is the wind? Can you see OK? It is snowing! Check your controls again. Remember the time has to be 10:35 AM, not 10:30; you can wait!" I had five minutes to wait after my trip to my take-off point, a very long five minutes! This is to be a slow and low flight, and not very long in distance. Then at 10:35 AM it was like the Spirit of the Wrights was right there with me saying, "OK, it’s time, do it! Go for it! You can do it!" And I really believe I felt one of them actually give me a pat on the shoulder as I advanced the throttle on the Challenger. As the speed came to just 30mph I became airborne and holding the speed at just over the stalling speed, the controls were very mushy, and the feeling of what the Wrights must have experienced was evident. Touchdown was just seconds after take-off, but what an exhilarating flight! I taxied back and did it once more, then on the third flight a touch-and-go was made at the end of the reenactment and a low pass was made by Dr. Pack’s office just to rub it in.
After my Wright Experience was over, Paul was able to get his power parachute out and make two cold passes around the patch.
Thank you Orville and Wilbur for all my flight experiences.
Flying Friends.....
After much searching and researching, I am ready to announce that a site has been chosen for a new major fly-in event. The airport chosen is located in Lumberton, NC (KLBT). After discussions with Bill Williams, Aviation Director of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation, I was introduced to a group that has also been searching for ways to initiate a fly-in such as I have been working toward over the past 2 years. We have forged an agreement to form The Mid-Atlantic Fly-In and Sport Aviation Convention.
The inaugural event is scheduled for May 14 - 16, 2004. We are currently working on; details of the event, creating a logo, producing posters and promotional literature and creation of a web site. I will be traveling back and forth between Lakeland and Lumberton over the upcoming months as well as visiting as many EAA Chapters and other aviation related groups as I can to spread the good word and prospect for volunteers. Please let me know if you have any ideas AND how you might like to participate.
I am very excited about the possibilities this event holds. Our goal is to host a fly-in in the tradition of those events we have all held dear in the past.... Lots of planes, lots of flying, good friends, good food, gatherings around the bonfire, dawn patrols.... What else can YOU think of????
I am planning to send out a newsletter type Email such as this one at least once each month. I will send out special reports for special highlights. Please share these reports with your fellow aviators and aviation enthusiasts. Have them Email me directly if they would like to be included in the newsletter. We're going to have a GREAT TIME! Y'all come!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds! Dale Faux
John Denver's song, "The Eagle and the Hawk":
And reach for the heavens
And hope for the future
And all that we can be
And not what we are.
A Memorable Occasion
Yesterday at 3:00 p.m., Leon runway was about half under water. All the airplanes were parked on the hill, but not under shelter. I saw three persons on the ground, and wagged my wings to them, they waved back. I could not tell who they were. Ona airport was completely under water. The hangars were surrounded by water, but were dry, so far. The water was up to the bottom of the ramp at the gas pump, all a scary sight. I have some pictures in the camera and will send when developed. The race track was completely submerged.
Bill Cignoni November 19th 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Frederick MD‑ January 9, 2004
USUA INSURANCE‑ AVAILABLE NOW!
USUA is pleased to announce that 3rd party liability insurance is now available for USUA members. This new USUA program is being administered by First Flight Insurance Group located in Kitty Hawk NC‑ a leading provider of sport aviation insurance ‑ and underwritten by Lloyds of London – the most highly respected and revered underwriter of insurance.
It is important to note that this policy will offer 3rd party liability insurance coverage for non‑commercial operations only. First Flight presently offers a more comprehensive coverage package to commercial operations (instructors and flight schools), and have done so for several years. They offer a variety of plans ranging from commercial 3rd Party Liability to full coverage, designed to fit each instructor's needs. If you are a BFI, USUA encourages you to look into these commercial programs. This new program is designed to allow non‑commercial ultralight pilots the benefits that insurance coverage can offer. It has been offered to USUA pilots as a result of the industry recognized high standards, safety record and integrity of the USUA ultralight pilot training program.
Over the past seven years First Flight Insurance Group has insured operations such as; parasailing, hang gliding, paragliding, ultralight instruction, underwater instructors, kite boarding, water ski instruction and many other such activities. They also provide a liability market for recreational rental businesses, like jet ski, kayak, canoe, sail and pontoon boat rentals. First Flight presently insures the United States Ultralight Association, the United States Hang Gliding Association, the National Association of Underwater Instructors, and provides coverage for members of the Professional Air Sports Association. It is important to note that this new USUA sponsered insurance program is being administered solely by First Flight Insurance Group, and USUA staff is not involved with processing policies or responding to any future claims.
Below is a short program overview. POLICY EXPENSE:
$375.95 per airplane, with up to 2 pilots listed.
PROGRAM AVAILABILITY:
Current USUA members, with a USUA ultralight pilot registration, flying airplanes registered with USUA. If you do not yet have your pilot registration, visit http://www.usua.org/arp/arp.html for program details and requirements. This page also details how ultralight pilots registered with other organizations can take advantage of this program.
VEHICLE COVERAGE:
Single or two‑place fixed, flexible or collapsible wing, engine powered aircraft, which must be USUA Registered of not more than 992 U.S. pounds (450 kilograms) which has a power‑off stall speed which does not exceed 35 knots (40 mph) calibrated airspeed at maximum gross weight including power hang gliders, powered para gliders and powered parachutes.
LIMITS OF INSURANCE:
Bodily Injury ‑ Per Person Per Accident: $ 100,000
Property Damage ‑ Per Accident: $ 250,000
Bodily Injury & Property Damage Combined Per Accident: $ 1,000,000
Bodily Injury & Property Damage Aggregate: $ 1,000,000
Medical Expense Limit ‑ Per Person: $ 1,000
This is a brief summary of some of the provisions of the policy, for more detailed information, or to request an application, Contact First Flight Insurance Agency at (252) 261‑1903, and ask for Dawne Fay.
Dale Hooper
Executive Vice President, USUA
Press Release‑ 9 JANUARY 2004
Minutes - December 6th, 2003, 5:30 p.m.
Our Christmas Party, held at the home of Curtis & Kathy Pack was, as usual, a rousing success, I don't believe we can muster enough thanks to Kathy & Curtis for their wonderful hospitality and great deal of work and organizing. It was wall to wall people, hard to estimate and impossible to count, but I'll guess at somewhere between 40-50 were present. It began with a very nicely presented mini-concert by the talented Buffalo High School band and Singers. They gave us a medley of music and song to match the season. The club presented each of the young people with a WV Fun Flyers T-shirt.
Following the entertainment we all ate, no we all stuffed ourselves with an incredible variety of real yummy food, as usual there was an over abundance. We sure love to eat!!! Thankfully there could be time enough to get over the excess in time for Christmas and New Year.
We were then - I can only say entertained - by a Santa Claus. I don't know his name, but he really got into character. He had us howling and the kids totally wowed. Thanks Santa you did a great job.
We had short but complete meeting run by our outgoing president, Curtis Pack.
First order of business was to elect new officers for 2004. Curtis had done his home work, everything went so slick it ran as smooth as the CSX railroad (If you get my drift?)
Dave Groff was elected President, Mickey Watson was elected Vice President, and Laura Jensen, treasurer & the Newsletter Editor was given little options but to continue for the next year (With their acceptance of course :-) ).
Congratulations to the new officers and many sincere thanks to our past president Curtis for a job well done.
It was voted to skip the January meeting and have the next meeting on the first Saturday in February at Doc, Curtis Pack's office, opposite the Leon Airfield.
Paul Knapp was the recipient of the "Rubber Chicken" for the month. Seems as though, it was said, that he had a mix up in his powered parachute line when about to take off. No damage or serious problem. But, someone had to get the Chicken.
We voted to finance the Web Site for the coming year.
We also voted to keep a list of members and of owners in the "Hen House" in case of emergency and for the use and convenience of the members.
The News Letter editor was nominated for the Eagle Award.
Curtis showed us a slide show about the WVFF which included some flying pictures and pictures of the Flood, along with other interesting pictures. It was well done - I think all on the computer.
Some information that will be history as you read this:
There will be a meeting at Curtis Pack's office at 5 p.m. on December 20th. We will have a Speaker, arranged by Mickey Watson. A Jim Stevenson, who is knowledgeable on the Sport Pilot program and will bring us all up to date with what to expect.
We were encouraged to try and fly symbolically on December 17th, the first hundred years of flight.
Also encouraged to come out on New Years Day and try and make the first flight of 2004.
Meeting ended at 9 p.m., with lots of fun had by all.
Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas
Gil Watkins Editor
Gil Watkins, News Editor
WV Fun Flyers
2721 Riverside Drive, St. Albans, WV 25177
304-727-6331
Email: gil@wvfunflyers.com