Here we are in August again. July was packed full of flying opportunities. AJ Ranch was very busy, as always, when the weather is right. The Vulcan fly-in the next day was also attended by some of our members. After a long wait, the Corsair was finally able to see some scattered clouds up close. Dan and Warren were both out and about, and we felt that the ceiling had finally lifted to make circuits safe. Off we went, looking for those pathways that were flanked by white mist. Soon we were south of the field by 8 miles and found the background that would make the pictures worthwhile. I got some nice shots by KDM and CZG.

The big news is that we have been invited to display our planes at Aviation Days on Sept 9-10. I have spoken with the Calgary Aerospace Museum and Transport Canada (TC), and both have been extremely willing to help us. We will be given (weather permitting) a time slot that we can arrive without transponders. The routing will be given to us on the Wednesday before. It will most likely be very early in the morning and will be quite the thrill to arrive. I mentioned this in an e-mail earlier, and all responders will be mailed a form to be completed. TC is aware that we do not have transponders in our craft.

The next event that we are working on is an evening fly/drive-in at Indus. It is set for CUFC members and guests and the neighbors around Indus. Blue Yonder, Bow Valley Photo, and Kommair are your sponsors. It is a potluck dinner. Deep-fried turkey and roast beef will be served, but there is one rule: no Jell-O salads. We wanted to attract more visitors to Indus and say thanks to the neighbors for their cooperation (i.e., not shooting at us for our early morning sorties) over the years.

I often question why this flying bug has bitten me so hard. The money that I have put towards hangars, improvements, planes, fuel for planes, and firewood makes my head spin. It is like a vortex for any spare change that normally is found in the couch. What would make a scrounger like myself part with his money in such a haphazard fashion on such an activity as flying a plane? The worst is that I really never go anywhere and always end up back at Indus at 9:30 a.m. after getting up at 6 a.m.

I have always been on the go. Never stopping, never saying no to someone who needs help, always volunteering, and never in front of the TV for more than an hour (unless it’s a flying show). Flying the airplane is the only place I sit still.

To answer the question “Why do I fly?” the only real solution that I can come up with is that we have the chance to see sights that very few can enjoy. It always amazes me that I am privileged to so many of nature’s wonders that would have been missed had I not been in that exact spot at that moment. How else could I see that a rainbow is a complete circle? How else could I smell a cloud? How is it that I can see so many colors, the reds, yellows, purples, and blues beyond description? Who would believe that water that looks un-swimmable would show up as turquoise when the sun hits it just right? It is a place where I feel challenged, the only place that I try to do it better each time I attempt it. It is a moving target that prevents me from thinking too highly of my abilities.

I apologize for missing so many of the meetings this last while. There are too many things that require my time on the 2nd Thursday of each month. For September I will be in Washington, D.C.; but afterwards, I shall be back full force. With all the flying done over the summer, there should be no shortage of material.

Wishing you tailwinds and no bumps.