29 Oct., 2010 -- Fear of flying

I like this poster! Gonna have to see the new Ice Age movie.


Well, blow me down! He tried, twice today.

Curious how the android phone camera distorted the shadow of the helicopter blades in motion. I expected the distortion on the tail rotor.

20 Oct., 2010 -- Flying today, and it was good

Flew all the way to Norwood today! That's about 10 miles! Took a passenger, high school senior, who wants to be an aviator. Here's Kat's high school.

It was a bit bumpy when we lifted off. However, Kat took the bumps, and the little "semi-sorta-notstraightandlevel maneuvers" really well. I am very impressed with this gal; she endured her first small airplane ride in the back seat. We went a mile up, shot pics of her homeland at Norwood, and cruised around over the fall folliage. I think she will find her career in the airplane world, as she's looking into a military career. She might be aiming toward becoming a mechanic. And she got to see the aerial photography setup in action, and that's a rarity, isn't it?

Now, this is one homely airplane that came in for fuel today. It's built at Mexico, MO, a Zenith. It's very adept at its job, short field landing & take-off. Looks like fun! Light Sport category.


Yesterday, when we had some clouds.

16 Oct., 2010 -- Poker Run

So, all day we fly around to 8 different airports, draw cards, end up at the mid-afternoon pot luck, get prizes and endure a short meeting, then lie about the whole thing to each other!

9 Oct., 2010 -- Fly-in and Open House

Tried to get this posted on Sunday... 10 10 10 -- I'm four minutes late getting started!
Saturday, at Willow Springs, our Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1218 held its fifth annual Open House and Fly-in. An honor guard made a 21 gun salute and the red white and blue balloon release started the day off. Thirty or more airplanes and two helicopters flew in during the day to help honor our American veterans.




Clint made a dead stick landing after his aerobatic show. He does that on purpose.
Later in the day, he took me up for some aerials of the airplanes on the ground. No upside-downies or engine outs, just straight and level.




Booths were set up with tvs and videos showing Chapter projects; Wright Flyer replica, Young Eagles and building the Pietenpol airplane (the green and white airplane sitting in front of the hangar). I got a hat "Chicks Fly" for being the only active female pilot at the fly-in.

Then, when it was all over, Ron and Mike strapped me in for my first Stearman ride. Mike took me around the patch and over the Ozarks for some open cockpit aerials. I think I want to be a wing walker! Well, maybe not. But it is a wonderful ride, just like all the novels and movies!

2 Oct., 2010 -- Oz Fest in Willow Springs

Our Flight Simulator was a big hit at Oz Fest in Willow Springs on Saturday.
The Witchie Woman rode out some 18 mph gusts, but managed to keep flying.

Phyllis was the first one of the day to get painted by my friend Gail. Gail decorated forty kids!

The little kids didn't seem to ham it up in the costume contest. But, ahem, as a judge, I really liked this tin man with his ductwork arms, even if he was scared stiff up on stage!

How long has it been since you've seen hula hoops?

Dancing all day... all ages!



Ice cream eating contest, no hands allowed.

My friend Renee; we worked together way back when at the newspaper in Mtn. Grove. She's now the driver examiner for the Highway Patrol, and man is she impressive in uniform! And yes, she's a natural blond, but not one you'd make jokes about!

This guy was preparing a cross-cut saw for a contest.

Good ole American down home celebration for everybody.