Sun and Fun - Page 2

SteveG · #16 03-23-10, 10:29 AM

Hi All,

Sandi & I are planning to attend Sn'F again this year although it's always subject to the uncertainty of work, weather, etc. We usually come in the day before the show starts, sometimes two, which in this case would be Monday or possibly Sunday. In previous years we have always camped in GAC. Its proximity to the runway provides a good view of arriving/departing aircraft and the afternoon airshow from the comfort of your campsite along with reasonable access to showers, ice, potable water, etc. The drawback is that in years when a military demonstration team is in the show the campsite lies within the show box and the FAA insists that it be evacuated during their performance. For that reason, and to be closer to any SOAPA aircraft staying in ONC, I am considering moving to VAC this year. The problem with ONC is that it is much further from show central and from camping amenities. Additionally, it is unclear to me if the weeklong camping & admission package price applies to ONC or if the $25/night + admission is the only available ticket. If the latter, this would increase costs by another $100 or so. Getting together in Daytona sounds like fun but my present thinking is to decline the invitation in favor of arriving earlier in the week. Good luck with a group arrival on Tuesday. My bet is that it cannot be safely accomplished. Invariably someone will cut you off in the arrival sequence and disrupt your best laid plans. Well, that's my story for now but subject to revisions as they may become necessary or expedient. Hope to see y'all in a few weeks.

hharney · #17 03-24-10, 04:36 PM

Those wanting to Camp at Sun 'N Fun, I am :-), should be able to pay the $100 weekly fee in the ONC area that we will be parked in. If you are not camping then you do not have to pay anything but can still park in the same place with the rest of the Skymasters. We will be parked either East or West of the VOR. Take a look at the airport layout (KLAL) to see where the VOR lies. It should be a good spot for the airshow. I have attached an aerial photo of the field during SNF last year and you can see where we will be.

We can also use a grill for the brats on Wednesday night for the SOAPA gathering. Ed Kalis from Michigan is going to be camping in his motorhome and will have a grill for us to use Wednesday night. Should work out good and a nice time together.

Folks, this is our SOAPA meeting for 2010 so come on down and join us.

I was looking online at Allegiant Air web site http://www.allegiantair.com/ and they have one way tickets to St. Pete / Clearwater airport for $59 during Sun 'N Fun week. I don't know if they are around your area but that is cheap. It's about a one hour drive to Lakeland from the St Pete airport. Not a bad way to join us.

If you are planning to join us sometime during the week please let me know so that we can have a place for you to park with us.

Thanks all,

rmorris · #18 03-29-10, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hharney

We have received a total of 2 registrations for SOAPA Fly-in. I need to give the folks at Sun 'N Fun a head count for our Tuesday arrival.

IS ANYONE ELSE PLANNING TO ATTEND?

IS ANYONE PLANNING TO MEET AT LAKELAND ON ANOTHER DAY OTHER THAN TUESDAY?

DO YOU WANT TO PARK WITH THE SKYMASTER'S?

WHAT DAY WILL YOU BE ARRIVING?

Thanks

Herb,
I'm in the same boat as others...plans still in flux. But at this point, looking to jojn you all at EVB on Monday and then fly-in together. Probably park with others, but unlikely on the camping part. Quick question on EVB - where is everyone staying on that Mon night?
________
Ford Sunliner Specifications

hharney · #19 03-29-10, 11:29 PM

Sorry about the late posting of the hotel in New Smyrna Beach (EVB), details below.

See ya'll Monday

From Paul Rooy,

Seascape Inn
2601 S. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach Shores
(800)368-3224
(386)767-7760
Manager: Debbie.

www.theseascapeinn.com

Highlights: On the beach, heated pool overlooking the beach, complementary buffet breakfast, rooms are $75 and $85, depending on whether you want a kitchen or not.

Alfonso · #20 04-03-10, 03:19 AM

Looking forward to joing you all. Best regards, Alfonso.

Cole5Oh5 · #21 04-15-10, 02:32 PM

It's Wednesday, and is it still Sunny, and are you having Fun?

hharney · #22 04-16-10, 08:41 PM

Ok, sorry the internet service has not been the greatest. No excuse Right? Well this year Sun 'N Fun should have been called Sun 'N Wind. It has been unreal! 20-25 kts in the afternoon. The airshow folks have been very challenged with the wind. The good thing was it was out of the East and pretty much right down the runway. But we parked in the middle of a huge area by the VOR and no chance to get out of the wind.

This show is great. Many of you have been here but I'm a newby to this event. We had a total of 6 Skymasters, a 182 and a motorhome. We had a wonderful time. Everything came together really well with the reception, BBQ, meeting and presentation by Air Journey. The SOAPA folks that are here have had fun. It's been great to meet some new people and visit. We discussed the SID's at the meeting and that helped to clear up some of the confusion about the new inspections. The real positive thing that has come out of the proposed SID's is that I feel it will make us more aware of inspections on our aircraft when doing annuals and pre-flight inspections. We have a new 2011 committee and a list of potential destinations to meet next year. More to come on that later.

The attendance overall is down a little from previous years, so I am told. But to be expected with the economy. Today there was about another 30 or 40% more airplanes that arrived. Weekend coming so that makes sense.

We are watching the night airshow right now. Pretty cool, shooting fireworks from airplanes.

Here are some photos to get started with the rest of the report. That's Robert Morris getting a ride in the Sea Rey at the Splash In

rmorris · #23 04-16-10, 10:08 PM

That ride over at the slpash in was a hoot. Now I need to buy (and build) the Sea Rey for my getting around the ponds plane, but keep the Skymaster for the long haul stuff.

Really enjoyed meeting everyone (including Sunny Skies from UK/France) over the past few days.

We leave Sunday, so if you haven't stopped by to say hi - do so before that time. We are by Herb's 'best of show' plane, ours is the one close to the runway that makes his look so good.

-Robert Morris
________
Chrysler Newport Specifications

SteveG · #24 04-18-10, 01:34 PM

A few Sn'F images attached. If you wern't there, a taste of what you missed; if you were there, a reminder of the sun and fun enjoyed by all. It was my pleasure to make some new aquaintenances and renew some old ones. My last hundred miles into home base were through persistent snow showers, what a bummer after a week of sunny & 80. Safe travels to all on your way home.

stackj · #25 04-18-10, 03:49 PM

Wow. Sorry we missed you guys! Jenny and I arrived with our Coast Guard contigent on Monday and left on Thursday. We saw about three Skymasters parked together as we were taxiing out, but did not get opportunity to look around too much for them while we were there.

Sounds like you guys had fun. I'm sorry we missed you.

hharney · #26 05-04-10, 03:27 PM

Here it is, the SOAPA 2010 video. If you have photos or footage of the SOAPA event in Lakeland you can send them to me and I will produce another video.

http://www.youtube.com/user/roughsurface

Many other Skymaster videos on my channel. SOAPA 2007, 2008 and Airventure 2009 plus some Michigan Flyers stuff. Also Skymaster History and Thanks for our Skymaster photo montage.

Enjoy.

Paul462 · #27 05-17-10, 08:32 PM

Herb - Great job with the video - I'm sorry now we didn't stay for the Friday night air show! The video you did is great - good music choice, and nice interspersion of still & video photography! Thanks for doing it!