WV FUNFLYERS
February 2006
by Gretchen Watson
Henry and Savanna Make Their Last Flight
Henry and Savanna Upton both passed on this month, only a few days apart. Our world will be a lesser place without them. Forty years ago, they carved out an airport on a riverbank and called it home. It has been a site of flight ever since. Early on, Henry and Savanna welcomed the early flyers in their unconventional flying machines. Starting with hang gliding and progressing to the first primitive ultralights, the field has seen the growth of personal flying flourish under the Upton’s guidance, here in West Virginia. They provided space and hangars as the sport grew in the area. Henry always encouraged flying even when it was in a machine without a tail or with a cloth wing. They were always supportive in the best and worst of times, watching out for overdue pilots and helping the club further the sport of aviation.
Henry and Savanna put many miles under their wings, flying for both business and pleasure, always returning to the small grass field they called home. Henry always preferred the Cessna series of aircraft, piloting well into his eighties. Only a few years ago, I can remember Henry and Savanna flying over to Vinton County for the air show. They made quite the flying couple. On the next clear day, take a few moments and think about all the opportunities they provided to those of use who love to fly. May they have soft and gentle winds for their last flight. ---- Curtis
Beachcombers - Doing it the Light Way
By Rick Johnson
It was Friday evening and the forecast for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006 was to be in the high 70's with 5-10mph winds SSE all day. I said to Don, "Let's go somewhere tomorrow. I have been here in Florida for a month now and have not been sight-seeing yet. I have been working on your dump-truck and have not had the time, but now that it's painted, let's go! Cathy and some of her friends are planning on going to Englewood Beach for the day, let us do something." Don answered, "Come over in the morning; we will go somewhere."
Saturday morning I was running late, I thought. Don was washing his ride when I arrived. While waiting on him I got his son John to help me put the doors on his dump truck. After Don had finished cleaning his ride we looked at the time. It was 12:30 PM. Where could we go? I had mentioned going to LaBelle. But Don had been wanting to go to Bucham. This turns out to be a grass airfield just north of Englewood Beach. Let's go! Time is wasting.
Our means of transportation was Don in his Kolb Mark 4 two-place, and me in my Challenger II. We were both flying with Rotax 503’s and 10 gallon fuel tanks. Tanks topped off, preflight checks, GPS check, and air-to-air radio frequency 122.750, a look at the flight sectional, and a heading of 268 degrees west, a headwind of 10 mph. We departed from Don's 1000 ft. north-south grass strip at his home and climbed to 1000 feet over the Peace River, then the city of Port Charlotte at 1500 feet. Not much for emergency landings in this area of town. We flew over wooded swamp land, to a residentual area where Bucham X36 is located.
At one time Bucham was busy with ultralights and other home-built aircraft. GA amd other experimental aircraft dominate the apron of grass in their luxurious hangars and homes. After landing, it did not take long for two older men in a Suburban to greet us with the remarks of, "We have an ordinance that does not allow ultralights to use this field. It is on the bulletin board behind the trees and shrubbery." Don's reply to this was, "These are registered experimental aircraft with N numbers and airworthy certificates." The other man said, "They look like ultralights to me." But no offense was taken on our part or theirs. We broke the ice and became other pilots to them.
We took another look at our sectionals and questioned, where do we go? Englewood beach was about 5 miles SW. I could not resist the temptation to fly by the beach with Cathy and her friends there to see us. I took the lead and crossed the inter-coastal waterway to the barrier islands of Southwest Florida. We took a new heading south with Florida off my left wing, the gulf of Mexico on my right, and Don close behind off to my right. I descended to 75-100 ft. msl just off the beach about 200 feet. What a view! I flew by Englewood Beach and I just couldn't turn back. There was another 25 miles of beaches ahead - Gasparilla, Boca Grande, Cayo Costa. Children were playing in the sand and surf, sunbathers looking up and waving, boaters giving thumbs-up, a flock of birds joining our flight at 45 mph, magnificent homes, some looking like castles along the water's edge. Just before Captiva Pass, a couple, hand-in-hand, broke and ran, thinking the aircraft was landing.
I had to turn east, gaining altitude at 1500 feet to fly over Pine Island Wildlife Refuge. There is a lot of water around that refuge. If the engines quit we would get wet! We landed at Pine Island airport’s 2700 foot grass strip. I had been there last year by car for a pancake breakfast. It is a friendly place. Wayne Reed, owner, is from Kentucky. I asked if he sold gas. "No, but I need to get some for my boat. I'll take you to the station with me." What a gentleman. Don and I stayed until time ran us off. We had another 30 miles to get home.
We crossed the inter-coastal waterway again. Here we saw manatees. The water is not deep, but wide, and wet if you go down. We flew NE to Shell Creek airport, another grass strip. Ron Rife was there with his single place Kolb. He had been doing some check-out of his plane and crosswind practice. He has just finished repairing damage caused by Hurricane Charley.
We then flew the last three or four miles to Don's home field, my home field for the winter.
PS: If I did not already own one of these Challengers, I would order one today! It was a priceless experience with more to come. RICK JOHNSON, WV Challenger Dealer, 304-610-7425
Leon Stuff
Kevin Pauley is a proud new grandpa. Vicki is the new mother of a 7lb baby girl named Raven Kathleen. Congratulations. P.S. Kevin, there are no car baby seats designed for a Mini Max.
February 15th, 2006
Kevin (Mini Max), Mickey and Gretchen (TBird) were all out that evening flying around the airport. Mickey packed up his trike and took it home for a while where he will make some necessary repairs and adjustments. Cold winter days can be used to do some much needed inspection and maintenance on our planes. By doing so, when good weather comes around, they are ready to be flown.
Rick Johnson called to check in with the club. He has been soaking up the sun in Southern Florida but his flying time has been down to a minimum. Apparently the winds have been pretty stiff. However, this past week he was out flying his Challenger and Ron Rife was out flying his Kolb. Rick and family are planning on returning to WV after Sun-n-Fun.
Ron and Marge Rife spent a week or so on a cruise. They will be returning to the tri-state area sometime after Sun-n-Fun.
February 4th, 2006 - Meeting and Dinner
There was a very good turn out for this month's meeting and dinner which was held at the Teays Valley Unos. The weather was looking a little grim and a few stayed home because of slippery roads.
Next Meeting
The next WVFF meeting and dinner will be held on Saturday, March 4th at the Clinic at around 1:00 p.m. The menu will be soup and sandwiches. If you can, please bring a dish or dessert and soft drinks.
Quilt Raffle
Enclosed are tickets for a very pretty quilt that Lucy Beckett made and the club is raffling off. If you want to enter the contest, send one of the tickets back along with $5.00 to the following address: Kathy Pack, 6430 Charleston Rd., Leon, WV 25123.
The drawing will take place at the May Day Campout Meeting. If you plan to be at the airport that day, you can return the ticket and money sometime that morning before the meeting.
Classifieds
Mini Max ½ VW Powered Yellow Red and Blue, always Hangared - $12,000. Kevin Pauley 304-926-8429 (see photo wvfunflyers.com -- Hangars -- Hangar 5).
Fisher Classic Biplane Factory custom built for Fisher test pilot, Rotax 582, less than 60 hours total time. Many brand new items - $15,000.00. John Wallace 304-744-0869 (see photo wvfunflyers.com -- Hangars -- Hangar 7).
Fisher 303 Project $500 Kevin Pauley 304-926-8429.
Infinity Powered Parachute with T trailer and training to solo. Includes Ram Mounts for radio and GPS - $13,200 Doran Mitchell 304-727-8983.
Fisher FP505 447 Rotax Engine, Red, White & Blue 26hours total time airframe and engine - $8500.00. Andy Hudnall 304-345-8059 flyboy47@charter.net (see photos wvfunflyers.com -- buy and sell).
Pterodactyl with windshield and lights, good condition, 447 Rotax Engine, 116 hours on rebuild. Purple and Yellow $3500.00 Ed Waggoner 740-446-3565 (see photo wvfunflyers.com -- buy and sell).
Hurricane w/Rotax 447, Electric start, always hangared, approximately 150hours TT. New windshield and prop. - $7500 E.J. Wilson 304-346-4480 304-206-6463.
Camper 1971 model, gooseneck style, 16 ft. “Me Too” model - $450.00. Rick Johnson 304-610-7425. See in Rick’s hangar at Leon.
Send News and Classifieds to:
Gretchen R. Watson
Email: gretchen.watson@wvfunflyers.com