17 December 2003

[Robert Lees]

Today, from a little grass and tarmac airfield in the midlands of a small country, well renowned for its rain and inclement weather, on the eastern shores of the Atlantic, powered aviation enjoyed a resurgence of enthusiasm in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight.

Over 160 flights were recorded by aeroplanes, microlights and helicopters, in weather that was glorious in its sun, visibility and calm.

What fun to be flying in the winter! And what fun to be flying!

[Mark Julicher]

regarding Dec 17

Today from a tiny runway in the Texas Hill country, NC95312 lifted into a perfect blue sky and we went to Hondo Texas. USAF T-6 trainers were beating up the pattern there, but as it is a civil field I felt it my duty to land and have a look around. After a half hour of poking about the old T-3 trainers parked on the field and walking through the old flight ops building, the ever alert security guard ran me off of the USAF section of the field and pointedly stated I could not be there nor take pictures : ) I was questioned as to why I had not seen the RESTRICTED sign when I drove up whereupon I replied I did not "drive" up and the tarmac had no such signs. Probably TOP SECRET about how the USAF brass had their heads up and locked and ruined a perfectly good plane (and company).
So Off Of my soapbox. The flying was great today. So does anyone want a photo of a T-3 Slingsby parked at Hondo?

Best Regards,
Mark Julicher

[Acroeric]

100 years ago an amazing thing happened that has bound common people together from all walks of life. I honestly think I was born with some disease which is only cured by taking to the air. I guess it is a feeling of freedom that is not matched by anything else-

Today we also lost a fellow aviator on the way to Kitty Hawk going to share with others the things he holds near to his heart. It should be a reminder to us all that we are not invencible, we need to use our checklist and be honest with ourselves regarding our minimums. Please everyone- treat every flight as if it were your first.

[crispy critter]

Kitty Hawk

I just returned from Kitty Hawk a couple hours ago.My hands still look like a raisin,my toes are still frozen,it will take me a week to get over the cold that I'm going to have,I'll have to spend some time tomorrow drying the front seats of the C-170,the flying weather over the mountains sucked(going and coming),the weather in Kitty Hawk wasn't any better,and to top it all off they didn't even get it off the ground.......but it was a great effort,a great gathering for a great celebration of a truely great cause,and one of the greatest days of my entire life.I will always be glad and thank god that I was able to be there,to be a part of something so meaningful to us crazy pilot guys.
It was truely a great day.
Kevin Mays

[Homsie]

celebrating the 17th

My big plans to celebrate the big anniversary didn't quite get off the ground. Our runways have been covered with ice for the last week now, and it was too windy to risk a landing with the cross winds we had.

My childcare provider did give me a neat surprise though. She gave me a Beanie Baby honoring the 100th anniversary of flight. He's called "Bearon." Its nice to have other folks share in our appreciation and wonderment!

The "Bloody Red Bearon" has a place of honor on my computer at work, amdist the collection of the kids aircraft artwork!

I hope to get up in the air this weekend..may the sun shine!

Cheers...Homsie