2012 Fly In

[WebMaster]

Please save the dates of September 5 (Wednesday) to September 8 (Saturday) for the 2012 SOAPA event. This year we will be basing at Groton Airport in Connecticut http://www.grotonnewlondonairport.com/. Rooms have been reserved at a bed and breakfast on the harbor in nearby Mystic http://www.innatmystic.com/ where we will also have our business meeting.

Arrival will be on Wednesday with activities on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday available for other activities depending on weather and desire.

The main attraction will be a flight down the Hudson River in New York City and around the Statue of Liberty. Paul Rooy will also be making a presentation on his most recent flight around South America. We are identifying other activities too that will be available as desired:

- The Red Tails will be at Groton on that weekend http://www.redtail.org/. At least one P51 will be flying and they will have static displays honoring the all-black flying squadron highly decorated during WWII which were depicted in a recent major motion picture. They will be selling rides on the P51.

- The Nautilus submarine and museum is open at the Groton Naval Submarine Base. http://www.cnic.navy.mil/newlondon/index.htm

- Mystic, CT is quintessential old New England and was a hub of whaling activity in the 1800s. There are museums, shops, and sailing vessels to visit. Check out other activities at www.mystic.org.

- Sanford, Maine (KSFM) will be hosting the Maine model jet rally and Horizon Hobby Air Meet on 9/6-9/9. www.mainejetrally.org

- Survival Systems, Inc. is across the street from Groton Airport and provides military and civilian ditching training in the classroom and simulator. Hugh Teel (manager) has offered to do an introductory 1-1.5 hour class on fundamentals for our group. www.survivalsystemsinc.com

Well, that's our start on this year's fun. More details will follow as things shape up.

[jchronic]

Good choice of location and time of year. Wanted to mention that the pilots and observers on our marine surveys all go through the Survival Systems ditching and emergency breathing apparatus courses, which are outstanding.

For anyone who does much overwater flying, the ditching course is well worth the money - but it's a bit intense, especially for those not comfortable in the water.

Hope to make the fly-in this year.

Joe

[WebMaster]

There are two (2) casinos in the area. Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. It's to early to see what their entertainment schedule is.

The Mystic Seaport is a historic place. Mystic Pizza has good, and unusual pizza.

The Coast Guard academy is across from the Navy base.

There are many sailing ships, tall ships, that people can spend time on.
It may be possible to get a dinner cruise on one of them.

http://www.mysticwhalercruises.com/
http://www.privateerlynx.com/

[billsheila]

Just one point of clarification for folks regarding the rooms -- we reserved a block of rooms for the "SOAPA 2012 Fly-in" but people will have to call the Inn on their own (phone number available via the link) to reserve their room. They have a variety of rooms available with views, balconies, hot tubs, whatever you want, also at a variety of prices. It may also be worth noting that the room rates all include a full hot breakfast each morning and an "afternoon tea" (to the extent we are around and not out exploring/flying).


Lastly, the Inn has requested that guests please confirm their rooms as soon as practicable, so that they are best able to accomodate everyone's specific requests of room type and so forth.

Thanks,
Bill Taylor

[hharney]

My partner in the Twin Comanche will be flying the Hudson next week and will get some real live experience with the adventure. I may send a GoPro with him to document it and then share with this message board. He will be flying out of Teterboro (see charts below).

Here is a link to the VFR Terminal and the back of the chart has the VFR corridor layout.

http://aeronav.faa.gov/index.asp?xml.../chartlist_tac

Here is great video presentation that was at SNF in 2007. After reviewing this it, I can see it will be really exciting to experience this adventure. Join us at SOAPA 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3u_x6qhut0

[awilps]

Hi all,
Fairly new to SOAPA, as we just started operating O-2's last year. I'm really excited to hear about this gathering, especially since it is basically in our backyard! Hope to be able to join you, flight schedule permitting.

I can also HIGHLY recommend Survival Systems...all of our crews have gone through it for overwater operations. Indeed, intense, but very rewarding and changed the way I personally fly and equip forever.

See ya soon I hope!

[Skymaster337B]

Is there a fly-in scheduled for this year?

[hharney]

There are rumors of one. Most likely in the fall again. Stay tuned

[hharney]

http://www.337skymaster.com/messages...9346#post19346