Paul Rooy wrote a short blurb on the Bahamas trip and the Miami evening stop-over on the Home page, and I thank him for that. I didn't take pics with my camera and instead relied on others, so hopefully will see some pics soon. While we're waiting for those, and in the spirit of adding a bit of meat to the affair for those who didn't make it and are hungry for details, let me share some thoughts I've had. These are peripheral things, over and above the fine talks we heard at the meeting.

It was very interesting to hear from Jenny and Jim Stack the people problems they've had with their aircraft, considering Jenny's job with the FAA.

It was an eye opener to see Walt and Jean Simendinger's beautifully restored 336.

It was fascinating to listen to Dave Riley's stories of his FAC days flying O2-As in Vietnam.

Ken Hollrah took his wife Dee Ann and me to the Bahamas in their 337P, and it was good to hear about LOP -- given that I would talk about it at the meeting later that week -- from someone so knowledgeable about it.

Finally, I can't tell you how incredible it was to see the 21 strangers from all around the U.S that went on the Bahamas trip come together as a group of friends, united largely by a single interest: flying their Skymasters. And hats off to Jim and Joyce Muse of California, who graciously flew Wayne and Dianne Craw of Montana, first to the Bahamas and back, and then to Key West; by the end of the week, it seemed they had become good friends. What a delightful foursome!

Ernie

Ernie...

I can't get to your web site anymore. Does it have a new URL?

Also, I can't email you from here... It says you don't want me to (sniff sniff).

SOAPA 2005 Article and Pictures Published
 

SOAPA 2005 article and pictures have been published. See link on home page.

Kevin

Great Job, Kevin

2005 SOAPA Coverage
 

Kevin,

You did an outstanding job on the meeting coverage... Well worth waiting for. Thank you!

Thanks guys.

Kevin

Thanks to Roy and Ernie's lively discussion, I just installed GAMI's on my Skymaster, and have been very pleased so far. The cylinder head temps now have such a pretty, level look on the GEM.

Before the install, I was unable to fly direct from KC to Steamboat Springs without stopping on the front range of the Rockies for fuel, since I didn't have enough reserve. (I have a '74, with 123 gallons) Last weekend, running LOP, I was able to make the flight, with an 18 knot headwind, with over an hour-and-a-half reserve!

In addition Roy, there has been none of the roughness (so far!).

Again, thanks for a wonderful meeting, and hat off to you, Ernie, for all you did.

Kimber Eubanks

Jim:

The correct URL for my Skymaster website is www.SkymasterUS.com, as listed in Kevin's page of websites. However, I note that it's not coming up, so I need to look into it (an hour after I first wrote this, it did come up, so maybe it's fixed -- I'll keep an eye on it). However, you can get to it at http://www.consultresearch.com/337.htm, where my e-mail address is also listed.

Please note that I'm out of the country most all summer, and I have poor to none web access, so be patient.

It was good seeing you and Jenny in Key West.

Ernie

Oops...
 

OMIGAWD, what was I thinking?

I just reread my posting...it was not "Roy and Ernie's" discussion, but Paul Rooy and Ernie's discussion.

Sorry.

The point remains...it was an excellent discussion. And an excellent conference. Thanks for all the hard work.

Kimber

Kind Aviators,

Thank you for your extremely kind remarks! Mary, Ernie and I had a gas putting on the Fly-In, and it would not have been possible without the huge amount of help from the other Committiee members, and the support of the SOAPA membership and attendees. Thank you all for making the '05 SOAPA Fly-In a success, and we look forward to seeing all of you during the "06 SOAPA Fly-In.

Paul & Mary
N462DA

Which will be where??? Maybe Lost Vegas??