2012 Fly In

mpscrip · #1 08-15-12, 02:12 PM

I will not be able to attend the fly-in but would like to drop in if I can. I am in the process of selling a C172 SP in the hopes of moving up to a skymaster. As you can imagine I get a fair amount of skeptical looks from other pilots (and my wife) when I talk of wanting a skymaster. This is compounded by the fact that I have never actually been in a skymaster much less flown in one. I have been following your website for many years trying to educate myself with regard to skymaster operation and ownership. As I am in northern NJ and a short hop from Groton I was hoping that I might be able to drop in to at least see a few skymasters up-close and talk with some owners. I do not want to be pest but was hoping that someone would be kind enough give me a few minutes of their time to let me see their aricraft (sit-in) and pick their brain a little.

WebMaster · #2 08-15-12, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpscrip

I will not be able to attend the fly-in but would like to drop in if I can. I am in the process of selling a C172 SP in the hopes of moving up to a skymaster. As you can imagine I get a fair amount of skeptical looks from other pilots (and my wife) when I talk of wanting a skymaster. This is compounded by the fact that I have never actually been in a skymaster much less flown in one. I have been following your website for many years trying to educate myself with regard to skymaster operation and ownership. As I am in northern NJ and a short hop from Groton I was hoping that I might be able to drop in to at least see a few skymasters up-close and talk with some owners. I do not want to be pest but was hoping that someone would be kind enough give me a few minutes of their time to let me see their aricraft (sit-in) and pick their brain a little.

We had a guy like that in Abacos. I took him for a ride. He liked it. I won't be there, but I'll bet you can find someone who'll give you a ride.
Bring the wife, let her talk to some of the owners about 2 engines, 2 vacuum pumps, 2 alternators. The redundancy that is there. Maybe someone will give you both a ride.
Also, they are a little bit faster than a 172P.

Dale Campbell · #3 08-24-12, 08:40 AM

How many are coming so far. I can not find the list anywhere. Dale Campbell

SteveG · #4 08-25-12, 09:30 AM

My wife informs me that we now have a room reservation although she is somewhat concerned about the accommodations. There does not appear to be a choice of rooms, you take what you get and the room rate seems to be a moving target with no firm commitment from the proprietors. Those issues not withstanding, we're signed up for something. Hope to see you all soon.

Dale Campbell · #5 08-30-12, 12:18 PM

I have made my reservations at the Bed & Breakfast, to stay the night of 6th. I will fly in as early as I can on Thursday morning and stay over night and do the flight down the Hudson with the group of 337s. I have reviewed the NY SFRA and took the test to get ready. See you on Thursday if the Hurrican doesn't screw up our plans. Dale Campbell

billsheila · #6 09-04-12, 01:14 PM

Columbia Air has finally got back to me regarding fuel and fees for planes coming into Groton. They are waiving the landing fee and facility fees for us, as well as offering a $0.20 cent per gallon fuel discount for SOAPA attendees. Unfortunately the overnight parking fee is levied by the State of CT and therefore no way around that, but it is only $10 per night for each tie-down.

Other than that, the only change to our itinerary thus far is that the lunch after the Lady Liberty Fly-Out will not be at Danbury, we can decide on some other location with lots of choice in the area. We could do Martha's Vineyard or Block Island (good choices for a scenic lunch) or some other choices like that, or some other options that are faster and easier with a restaurant right on the field.

Thanks. In terms of numbers still a bit of a moving target but some folks are driving, others flying, so we shall see.

Bill (and Ken)

Dale Campbell · #7 09-10-12, 10:07 AM

To all that missed a great meeting,
I would first like to thank Bill and Ken for arranging a great SOAPA meeting place and activities. I think everyone really enjoyed the friendship and places we visited. Myself and the 2 guys I brought will remember the fun we had for years to come. Paul & Mary gave a great recape of thier trip around South America and Paul entertained us on the piano. A guy with many talents. There were 4 wifes at this meeting, which I thought was great to see wifes enjoying their husbands love of flying. I wish my wife was like that. We left {GON }Mistice Harbor on friday for a trip up the Long Island Sound to the Hudson Coridore. Past the GW Bridge, the Intreapide, we dropped to 900 feet and rounded the lady twice. Over the VZ Bridge and back up the east side of the Hudson, past the new buildings at ground zero.
We took video of the trip & will post as soon as we edit out the jerky parts. We flew back down the Long Island Sound to Block Island for a great lunch. After that I headed for home back over the Sound at 4500 feet in clear air. Those of you that missed this SOAPA meeting missed a great time. We all missed Herb,Larry and Jerry. Dale Campbell

WebMaster · #8 08-26-12, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Campbell

How many are coming so far. I can not find the list anywhere. Dale Campbell

there is no list i am aware of

WebMaster · #9 08-29-12, 07:30 AM

Ken Hollrah and Dee Ann Ediger will be attending.
N20962.
C182

billsheila · #10 08-29-12, 10:43 AM

Hopefully it is obvious that as part of the organizing team, Sheila and I will be there as well (Larry I forgot to tell you this formally I think!). I think we are up to 10-12 attending now. Larry and Herb have both declined, with regrets, so I am not sure what the "SOAPA Business Meeting" part of the agenda will look like, but we will make it up or just generally talk Skymasters...

Looking forward to seeing folks and hopefully also meeting some new people interested in these fine aircraft.

I flew last week up to New Hampshire to pick up my son who was visiting for a week with a friend and and his family for some summer fun....my son texted my wife while we were enroute "Tell Dad he won't believe it....this tiny little airport in NH with only two planes on the ramp...both Skymasters." I landed and made it three. [See attached photo]. I left notes on both planes suggesting they join us for the fly in....so maybe we will have some local drop-ins as well.

Thanks
Bill