Crazy From the Heat

What a great summer with all this heat… it makes me long for the short days of winter. I have been planeless for a while now and it is starting to wear on me. It’s so bad that I have taken up the challenge of transplanting trees. For so many years I have been telling all the newbies that renting is the best way to fly. No hangar, no maintenance, and no refueling, and it goes on and on. I’ve changed my mind; to go when you want is well… PRICELESS.

I made it to the Lethbridge Airshow. The club there is as friendly as they get and very well organized. On the taxi out after the show, they had arranged with the powers that be for us to do a group taxi to speed up departure. What a sight to see all of us taxiing out with doors open and all staggered, waiting for departure. With a quick radio call, we went. To see all of us climbing out and turning to the north was quite a sensation. The Merlin had given me the rare sensation of climbing out faster and passing other planes. What a machine!

I had the chance to see the Kermit Weeks Museum in Polk City, Florida. Yes, they had a Corsair there, but despite my best efforts, I was denied entry to the plane. His collection includes many warbirds. Many of the planes were of German descent. A few of the planes from the movie FLYBOYS are now on display in the main gallery.

While in Florida, I rented a 182 and flew the beach at Ft. Lauderdale. The only thing hotter than July in Calgary is July in Florida. I’ll show more at an upcoming meeting.

The Wittman is resting comfortably, waiting for its place in line on the shop floor. The Korsair has found a new display area at Indus. Be sure to check it out when you fly by. We look forward to all the stories about the summer’s happenings.

Wishing you tailwinds and no bumps