MY SUN’ n FUN ADVENTURE
I asked my good-natured wife in September if she would like a week of vacation in sunny Florida in April. She is not only good-natured; she is very perceptive and immediately asked “what airshow”? Once I revealed the ulterior motive I sweetened the offer by encouraging a visit with friends in Tallahassee whom we had served with in the USCG. That clinched the deal and I proceeded my next adventure….lodging. After scanning the web for rooms it was apparent that most motels were already full. We decided to rent a Class C Motor Home and stay at a campground. The total cost was the equivalent of a good hotel and we had everything we needed with us at all times. z
We headed to the show on Thursday and were amazed how the volunteers running the parking had everything under control. I was equally impressed at the number of flying machines in the right had pattern for the LSA/Ultralight pattern! There were at least 10 of all different types in two different patterns all carefully landing and departing on the still drying grass strip. We were quickly whisked through the media credentialing process and started exploring the showplane parking. Then came the airshow… I don’t think there is a better way to start a show than a paradrop with the American Flag and the E- team jumpers circled by the smoke trailing biplanes. It was just perfect. The Stock Stearman of John Mohr was absolutely amazing. Tight loops and rolls at slow speed and altitude was very impressive but his flying almost sideways down the runway in a slip was really remarkable. The Thunderbirds did their usual polished great job of displaying the American afterburner powered heavy iron. And as a Veteran with both Senior Army Aviator Wings and the Navy’s Wings of Gold I still stand straight, tall, and proud as an American when hearing the Sound of Freedom coming from the combined roar of any formation of jets.
The next day I attended the event as a solo pilot and really tried to spend a little more time in the exhibit hangars and out on the flightline. The current crop of advanced avionics struck me as particularly impressive. Synthetic vision seems to be emerging in a big way now that Garmin has announced its addition into the G1000. VistaNav still seems like a great option for the more financially challenged. And there are many other avionics folks that are vastly improving the situational awareness of pilots at all price points. I also spent a little time with a Groen Brothers Aviation rep, makers of the SparrowHawk III gyrocopter. The places I really wanted to see: the Ultralight and Light Sport areas. And what a great bunch of aircraft there are! Everything from powered parachutes to weight shift powered wings on up to the Cub style utility planes and the smooth composite traveling machines. I thought of my grandfather telling me of his training and flying Sopwith Camels for the Royal Canadian Flying Corps over the lines in WWI when looking at a scaled Sopwith Camel reproduction. I was particularly impressed with the RV-12, the Highlander, and the Czech built Lambada powered glider with two different winglet options standard depending on your need for speed or desire for glide. There is no doubt that the LSA market is wide open and should continue to grow as the price of fuel goes ever higher.
The second day included the warbirds with bombbursts and strafing runs by fighters and pursuit planes. My Icom IC-A6 handheld was particularly helpful scanning the frequencies to monitor the show. Nice to know what is going on and why and when delays happen. The Aerostars were particularly impressive with the formation aerobatics in the Yaks and CJ-6’s. The individual performers are absolutely perfect performing their routines against the backdrop of the afternoon cumulus clouds in the glorious 80 degree weather. Sure beats looking out the window of the Cockpit Café back home at a 10 ft high snowbank! Another high point for me was the chance to shake Richard Van Grunsvan’s hand. I have been admiring his designs and planning on building an RV for the past 15 years. His attitude and designs have done more for grass roots aviation than any other individual in the last 25 years in my opinion. It was a great trip and a good getaway from the cold.
I wonder if my wife would consider a “vacation” sometime to Wisconsin in July?
By Evan McDougal