Only 2 more days...

[barnstmr]

'til the CENTRAL TEXAS TAYLORCRAFT FLY-IN

[Flynlow]

Re: Only 2 more days...

I'm assuming his field is okay. I may not be able to make it. With this last round of rain, our runway may be too wet.

[Flynlow]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Turns out my field is dry, I will be there to crash the party!

[Bravo 6]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Come on in! Great weather and crowd!

Greg House
Bravo 6

[mikerice]

Re: Only 2 more days...

We are flying our BC12D in on Sat about Noon. I will stay over to Sunday.

[Flynlow]

Re: Only 2 more days...

We had a great time. Terry threw a great event. I think it was about 8 Taylorcrafts (Terry Bowden almost made it in his until mag problems!), 1 Aerona (Me!), 3 Cessnas, and 1 Navion. There were some beautiful planes there and a great group of guys. I took over 300 photos, so give me a little time and I'll have a story and photos. The ceiling was very low Saturday morning or I think we would have had a lot bigger turn-out. I can't wait until the next one.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Right On Jack!
and
Thank You Terry!!

Ft Parker was a hoot. The grass field was in perfect shape. Weather was iffy until about noon on both Friday and Saturday with 1200 overcast or lower, but once the scud burned off it was fabulous.

For those that missed this one, WE GOTTA DO THAT AGAIN. But for goodness sake guys, we can't let a Navion make the shortest landing EVER AGAIN. How embarrassing.

The SASS cowboy action shooters were checking out the airplanes and the fliers were watching cowboy action shooting. All good fun. There was a homebrew, perfect replica of a Gatling gun. Talk about owner produced parts! That gun was fully functional and for $20 bucks you could pop off 20 rounds with the hand crank.

Terry, if you need a loaner magneto to get home we can fly one up to Salado.

[barnstmr]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Ft Parker was a hoot. The grass field was in perfect shape. Weather was iffy until about noon on both Friday and Saturday with 1200 overcast or lower, but once the scud burned off it was fabulous.... For those that missed this one, WE GOTTA DO THAT AGAIN....

I AGREE - lets do this again next year. ALL THE CREDIT goes to Darius Farmer and Jed Keck for allowing this to happen at their airfield and for preparing it so well. And thanks to Sarah MacReynolds and to Brewed Awekenings for handling all the food. With the field and food expertly provided... 95% of the work was done..... So please give credit where it is due.

By the way... We were not charged a dime for using the airfield. We did collect $98 in the donation jar. This money was turned over to Darius to help with expenses. My main concern was to try and make sure nobody lost money. I am not sure what it cost Jed and Darius to prepare everything, but I am guessing $98 was not adequate to cover all their expenses. My wife's Tshirt sales covered the Port-A-Potty and covered our expenses. So we came out just fine. We did not charge anything for registration... but if we do this again, I would consider a small registration fee in hopes of providing more money for the airfield cause.

What do you think? When we do this again... should it be held again at the Fort? I thought it was an ideal venue... but I want to know what everyone else thoughts. Also... what are your thoughts on money - donations vs. fees?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Find out what the REAL cost was, with that we can come up with some ideas on how to make it self supporting. I know the "T" shirts for one of the WW-I fly ins I used to go to every year were real collectors items and I am sure the profits from them helped. One of the most collectible ones was the year they DIDN'T make them (NOT a popular decision!) and they took the left over ones from the prior year and crossed the year off and wrote the current year in. They sold ALL of those and past year ones were usually in demand from guys who missed one of the fly-ins.
Ball caps, T-shirts, food concessions and raffles can make plenty of money to make it worth while! I would avoid a fee since that seems to put some people off (go figure) where they will spend many times that amount to support you if they can take something home.
Hank

[Flynlow]

Re: Only 2 more days...

I meant to drop in some money, but didn't get back over by the tent. Get an address and I'll shoot him a check for $25. It was a great event and worth every penny. I think a fee is fine. We can come up with some awards even if it's a piece of paper. Oldest Plane, Nicest Plane, Most Modified, Least Taylorcraft-like (Navion!).

[barnstmr]

Re: Only 2 more days...

For those who wish to send a donation to the Fort Parker Flying Field... here is the address.

Fort Parker Flying Field
741 Park Road 35
Groesbeck, Texas 77642

Jack.. don't forget the award for slowest plane... your Airknocker may have come in a close second to the Pietenpol.

[Flynlow]

Re: Only 2 more days...

LOL, at 85mph I'm not winning many races! I will get a check out to him. I didn't have any cash (not sure how I forgot it) and meant to drop a check in the bucket, just got busy talking, which wouldn't surprise anyone who knows me!

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Other ways to boost funding: Perhaps a flour bombing contest with $5 to purchase a "bomb". It is also a great place to have a spot landing contest.

Also... we need to clarify the protocol on the traffic pattern. I'm all for good manners and noise abatement, but it was me that advised switching the traffic pattern to avoid overflying the live firing range. I hope no feathers were ruffled, but there was a LOT of lead flying downrange on the west side of the field.

[cvavon]

Re: Only 2 more days...

Terry I am right in the middle of putting the ladies love taildraggers fly in together with Judy Birchler and we are asking the same questions one way we chose to fly a poker run $20.00 a hand that money is going to air port manager and i got a set of david clark 10-13-4 s head sets donated and that is what the high hand will get we have goten about 40 door prize give aways all donated i spent a lot of time on the phone but it payed off lets see how it goes and i will give you a call and we can join forces and use my knowledge to make it a grate gathering also start early and keep it in front of people next years date should be out there now as of now we have 48 confirmed planes of 30 room at the lodge 28 are booked also at the days in and we are 60 days out if you need help call me would be glade to help