Time for a Gathering?

ljmolina · #1 02-14-23, 03:32 PM

When was the last time this group got together with our birds in one place? Thought of throwing the idea of a gathering for this year.

bjornfb · #2 02-14-23, 10:59 PM

Sounds good to me!

pwolfehagen · #3 02-15-23, 09:23 AM

I like the idea. But I am a new owner and have yet to become jaded.

ljmolina · #4 02-15-23, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwolfehagen

I like the idea. But I am a new owner and have yet to become jaded.

Im new here aswell (about 10 months)... I would like to gather up all the masters and noobs in one place and meet all the great people here.

mshac · #5 02-15-23, 05:36 PM

I love the idea, may I suggest:

1. Location somewhere towards the geographic center of the country?
2. An airport that would roll out the red carpet for us, maybe let us have a little shin dig in a hangar one night?
3. Airport with cheap 100LL either at the field or nearby.
4. Airport with a large fleet of crew cars
5. Somewhere with reasonable hotel accommodations
6. Somewhere with tourist attractions and shopping to keep the family happy
7. Airport with a brand spanking new 5000' runway with GPS approach
8. A date in spring before it gets too hot, or early fall if spring is too soon

I just may happen to know a place like this....

ljmolina · #6 02-15-23, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshac

I love the idea, may I suggest:

1. Location somewhere towards the geographic center of the country?
2. An airport that would roll out the red carpet for us, maybe let us have a little shin dig in a hangar one night?
3. Airport with cheap 100LL either at the field or nearby.
4. Airport with a large fleet of crew cars
5. Somewhere with reasonable hotel accommodations
6. Somewhere with tourist attractions and shopping to keep the family happy
7. Airport with a brand spanking new 5000' runway with GPS approach
8. A date in spring before it gets too hot, or early fall if spring is too soon

I just may happen to know a place like this....

KRVS hits all those points. For gas KOWP (10nm NW from KRVS) 100LL right now is at $4.80.

Sad thing is, thats where Im based... I want to fly somewhere

n86121 · #7 02-18-23, 06:37 PM

While middle of USA might be mathematically correct, maybe start with map of who is where?

Might make more sense to have different events in different areas, shorter range travel.'

While my airplane may have 5 hr legs, my wife has 3 hour legs.

Time is also precious, so another consideration.

The longer the trip, the lower the probability people will get there.

?

mshac · #8 02-18-23, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n86121

While middle of USA might be mathematically correct, maybe start with map of who is where?

Might make more sense to have different events in different areas, shorter range travel.'

While my airplane may have 5 hr legs, my wife has 3 hour legs.

Time is also precious, so another consideration.

The longer the trip, the lower the probability people will get there.

?

I've belonged to a few Type-clubs, and I find the best way to do it is to have an annual fly-in that rotates around the country. One year its in Florida, the next year in Denver, the next in Indiana, etc. If you can't make it every year at least you can make years near you.

Back in the day, 20 years ago, this board organized a Bahamas fly-in, and they had about a dozen Skymasters to show up. You can still see the old posts and pictures from it. Good times were had by all!

general · #9 02-20-23, 01:47 PM

The last time we had a gathering in the middle of the country was Branson back in about 20 years ago.

Fuel is cheap there.

I'm all in/Tul or OKC

mshac · #10 02-20-23, 07:55 PM

At the Bonanza Fly-ins, they always have some type of maintenance seminar. Maybe we could find someone to do some type of presentation. Don maybe???

The RV guys near me have a monthly meet and they like to go formation flying. Its usually about 5-6 RVs in formation. Imagine what an equal number of 337's in formation would sound like! I know formation flying takes training, but I'd be willing to participate!

hharney · #11 02-24-23, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljmolina

When was the last time this group got together with our birds in one place? Thought of throwing the idea of a gathering for this year.

Met last year in Freemont OH. It was a good event. Did you miss it?

GAdams · #12 02-25-23, 06:24 PM

Maybe we can start to bond our group with something a little less grand than a meet up in the middle of the country. Here in South Florida there is a club called the Old Farts Flying Club. Each week the leader picks a spot to meet for lunch, sets it up with a food vendor, on field or off field restaurant and makes the announcement by email. These every Thursday events get plenty of airplanes I think the record is 155. You fly in, pay for lunch and fly home. Simple. Easy and logistically not very challenging. All types of aircraft show up. No hotels no rental cars and you are not too far from home with plenty of expertise surrounding you if your airplane breaks. Maybe we could do this regionally instead of Nationally. Northeast, Mid Atlantic, The Carolinas, Florida, Ohio Valley etc and we could make it Skymasters only if you like. The next day the leader always sends out pictures and a recap and picks his favorite airplane which sure does bestow bragging rights upon people when I go to a meeting of the Florida Aero Club. Just a thought. Perhaps a way to bond our common interests.

Ernie Martin · #13 03-03-23, 01:26 PM

From 2002 to 2011 SOAPA held 10 consecutive Annual Metings and Fly-ins -- some in beautiful locations like the Bahamas and Key West -- that were well attended. Details and pics on this page: http://www.consultresearch.com/337.htm

I'm in Miami, have a house in the Bahamas, and although I've sold my airplane, I'd be willing to help organize something near me.

Ernie Martin

mshac · #14 03-03-23, 04:41 PM

Thanks Ernie, it seems the group was far more active during that timeframe. Maybe it was bigger too? I would have loved to go on some of the trips you guys took back then! It would be great to meet you as well one day. You could give the ditching seminar!

n86121 · #15 03-03-23, 04:43 PM

...most of you would get shot down.

www.potomac-airfield.com

Conveniently located,
between Andrews AFB, the home of Air Force One,
and the White House,
just a stone's throw from the capital
in downtown Washington DC.

My motto, "Who says national security can't be fun?"