WV Fun Flyers - July - 2003
A word from your President
WVFF 4TH OF JULY IN STYLE
A few weeks before the local (Buffalo, WV) July 4th celebration and parade someone said "Hey, lets have a parade float!" and thus the WVFF float entry into the July 4th parade was born. The goal was to display a plane and share our goodwill with our neighbors and promote our club locally. Rainey Bellar stepped up with a BIG trailer (greater than 30 feet long). We were all set to use Jack H.'s red , white and blue Afford‑A‑Plane until he flew it and the value went up :) (we were actually worried about damage) . We were able to mount a trike on the tralier since it would fit sideways on the trailer. Everyone met at the field a few hours early and we hoisted the plane on to the trailer and made the perilous journey (with my wing and Mickey W's trike). As we yelled out to Rainey to avoid the trees and signs he drove the 5 miles to the parade start point. After weaving the truck and trailer in the narrow streets to the parade registration we were assigned our number and began the decorating process with patriotic flags, ribbons, and signs (thanks to John Bolton who made terrific banners for each side of the float). With the start of the fire sirens we dropped into our slot and began the journey thru town. We picked up a few members along the parade (we were seated on , around and hanging from the float) route and ended up with 28 club members on the float with all hands throwing candy to the crowd ‑ young and old alike. We had considered flying the trike back to the field once thru the parade but high winds and no helmet dashed those hopes. The trip back was uneventful and we delivered the trike back to its' hangar ready to fly that evening. The float went over well and for many folks it was the first close up look at the machines we fly over them. We celebrated at the field by flying the rest of the evening and many went to the fireworks display at Buffalo that evening. We were able to tether the hang balloon during the fireworks display and Rick J.and bret S. were the lucky one to be up during the show. Bret said you could feel the percussion of the explosions reverberate through the balloon and they were about 1000 feet away!
On a different note ‑ The recent tornado at the field caught all by surprise (with unbelievable power) and although the word was slow to be spread many didn't find out until Friday night or Saturday). I would like to thank Jim Upton and Henry who responded first and secured the area of the affected hangars ( cutting off power and removing immediate hazards, etc.) and the crew of club members who moved, removed, shifted, lifted, and otherwise took care of planes. Thank you !
Also ‑ Check out the lounge ‑ washed clean and now sporting a fresh coat of paint! (Thanks to Laura, Rose, Vicky and more). Fly Safe - Curtis Pack
Flying Games July 5th
Ace of the Base went to Raine Beller.
In the bomb drop: First Place: Raine Beller
Second Place: Ron Rife
Third Place: Kevin Pauley
In the Touch n Go: First Place: Raine Beller
Second Place: Kevin Pauley
Third Place: Chuck Lewis
In the Spot Landing: First Place: Chuck Lewis
Second Place: Ron Rife
Third Place: Curtis Pack
MINUTES JULY 5th MEETING
Meeting was called to order by our President Curtis Pack at 2:15 pm .
There were approximately (They wouldn't stand still) 54 present.
The club enthusiastically presented Captain Rogers with a plaque for dedicated service, renovation of the ‘Hen House’ and so many other projects they are really too numerous to list. Captain , recently broke a hip and has made a remarkable (miraculous) recovery. From using a walker, to crutches, to a four prong stick, to a broom stick which he broke in the car door and discarded, all in a bit over two weeks. What a guy !!! In his inimitable manner he practically brushed it off and was hard to get still for a picture.
WE were pleased with the presence of Todd Gambill, director of the WV Dept. Transportation, “Connecting WV and the world” division. Todd was present with his wife and family, he was able to taste the club activities (literally) and get a good idea what we are all about in the Ultralight Flying community. He took a great deal of picture which we hope will be used for the good of Ultralight flying and the view the outside world has of West Virginia. We were told that some of the pictures should show up on a WV DOT TV show sometime in the future.
We were informed: Oshkosh will be from July 29th – August 4th. The EEA can use volunteers.
Carrollton City Fly In is 3rd weekend of August.
Central Ohio Fly-In at Adam Mills OH (NW of Wheeling) August 15, 16, & 17.
Vinton City Fly-In September 25th.
Members voted to buy a new children's swing set for the field.
Also a folding picnic table.
Please consider buy a fire extinguisher for your hanger.
The Parachute Field Landing/Take off pattern is now posted on the board.
Note:
Members, Sorry to see Gil's plane along with Chucks, Captains Rogers (both of them!), and John's. The damage was hard to imagine when I heard about it. I was in Lexington, KY in a meeting and found out and left there about 5:30 p.m. but didn't arrive until dark. When I arrived Saturday morning I was "blown away" at the site. Evidently Jack and Dave and others had spent Friday untangling planes and moving/disassembling planes for storage and cleaned up a lot of the mess. Normally Henry would have called but he and Savanna's lives are full of other things beside the airport at the moment. Another good reason to have a contact list for club members in case of emergency. Most folks didn't find out until Saturday. I found out Friday evening through my secretary but only was told some metal blew off the roofs. Wow, the entire roof! This is the first documented tornado I have experienced in West Virginia. The damage could have been much worse with total destruction of the planes. Most appear to be rebuild able. Fly safe, Curtis
Gil Watkins, News Editor
WV Fun Flyers
2721 Riverside Drive, St. Albans, WV 25177
304-727-6331
Email: gil@wvfunflyers.com