WV FUNFLYERS
May 2006
by Gretchen Watson
May Camp-Out Fly-In - 2006
It was another successful and fun May Day Camp Out weekend. There was a very large turnout for the dinner and meeting on Saturday. Members camped from Friday through Sunday. On Friday and Saturday evenings, many people relaxed by the campfire roasting hotdogs and marshmallows.
Early Saturday morning, right before sun up, Curtis and Bret began inflating Bret's new balloon that he built. Once inflated, Bret strapped himself in and began his flight - about 3/4 of a mile across the road where he landed in a field. Good flight. The next morning he flew the balloon at the other end of the field.
Darian Fields, Doran Mitchell, Dave Purdin and friends camped and flew their powered parachutes all weekend. Some of their canopies are beautiful neon colors and are a joy to watch fly. Friends of Dorian rode in on their Harley's and joined in the fun and activities. At least one took a flight in a parachute.
Saturday afternoon the wind was a little brisk but that didn't stop the trikes, Steve and Mickey, from hauling Ron Dixon and friends to various heights so that they may jump - parachute that is. They made several jumps that day as well as on Sunday. Dorian Mitchell and Gretchen Watson also provided rides for the jumpers both days in powered parachutes.
Saturday evening a memorial service was held under the shelter at the clinic for Henry and Savanna Upton. Chuck and Kevin flew a missing man formation over the service. Several memories of Henry and Savanna were shared by various individuals. They are and will be forever missed by us all. A granite stone with an attached plaque will be placed next to Henry's hangar.
Ed Waggoner won the quilt.
Next Meeting - June 3rd, 2006
We will be having hamburgers and hotdogs that Saturday. Chuck and Rosa has volunteered to be the cooks that day.
Leon Stuff
May 27th - 2006 - Newlon Airport Fly-In
When the fog lifted that Saturday morning, Steve (Trike), Ken (J3 Kitten), Mickey (Trike) and Gretchen (TBird) took off for Newlon Airport. Ken stayed under the clouds while the other three climbed to between 5500 and 6500 feet. However, they all landed within minutes of one another. There were already several planes at Newlon and many were entering pattern upon our arrival. Several arrived via parachutes (jumpers) a while later. There was food for all and games for the kids. Later in the afternoon, Chuck (Mini Max), Kevin (Mini Max) and John Bolton (Titan) arrived for a short stay.
Upon the WVFF's exit, someone announced from Newlon that the “Leon Air Force” was departing the field. Only Steve climbed up above the clouds on the return trip. However, he ran into a strong headwind which lengthened his flight time. John Bolton shot out ahead of everyone, taking the long way via some of the river route, and arrived back at Leon first.
Misc.
The pop machine has been moved, upon request by Leon Management, to the hanger behind the lounge.
Ron Rife placed a white board in the lounge. When departing for a trip, length doesn’t matter, put your name and approximate flying route and times on the board. Erase it when done flying. This will help let someone know where to look in case of an emergency.
We are running low on firewood and are asking for donations. Many stay on meeting weekends and the fire is nice for late evening hotdogs and warmth.
Curtis and Bret won’t be present at the June meeting. They are going to a balloon....drift-in in Massachusetts. I hope they have as much fun as we will have here at Leon.
Steve, Treasurer, will be in Denver attending his niece’s graduation from the Air Force Academy.
Super Dave’s Powered Parachute Fly-In - Cannonburg, Kentucky
June 9th, 10th, 11th
Several of our members will be traveling to Kentucky either by air or by ground that weekend. Darian Fields and Dorian Mitchell will be taking their powered parachutes there for the weekend. Steve, Gretchen and Mickey will attempt, weather permitting, to fly over there on Friday evening to camp for the weekend. Others will be driving there to join in the activities on Saturday.
Sport Pilot News
If you are interested in getting your aircraft Airworthiness Inspection, Jim Stephenson, DAR, will be at Super Dave’s Powered Parachute Fly-in on June 6th at Canonsburg, Kentucky. Jim is certified to inspect all types of aircraft. If enough are interested or ready, he will make a trip to our airfield to conduct the inspections. However, in order to have an inspection, you must have applied for and received by June 6th an N number. Once it passes the inspection and the N number has been applied to the aircraft, if you are not yet a certified Sport Pilot, you will not be able to fly it legally. If you are preparing for becoming a Sport Pilot, this would be a great opportunity to get your plane legal since finding DAR’s (Designated Airworthiness Representatives) are difficult.