Waltm
07-07-2005, 03:10 PM
I've been busy with other commitments this year and haven't had a chance to make any PPC flyins until now. The Cajun Blast, sponsered by La. Powerchutes and Kendall Ducote, was a great way to start off my somewhat belated flyin season.
There are a few flyins that you should absolutely mark on your calendar if you live in the south-central U.S. Ed Neff's Tri-State Ultralight flyin is one, Ernie Baugh's Sho-Me Chute flyin is another, the Extravaganza is a definite go-toer and now add the Cajun Prop Blast to your list of "don't miss" flyins.
July 1st thru 3rd were the dates for the flyin but there was some simply awesome flying on the 4th, too. More on the Independance Day flight later, however.
Judy and I arrived at the False River Airport in New Roads, LA about 10:00pm Thursday night to find a lot of trailers already parked. Most pilots who attended were either from the area or were staying in one of the local hotels or bed-n-breakfasts. Tim McCord from PD and one other RV were the sole on-site attendees. We set up camp on the large grass area that was set aside for trailers and RV's.
There was a LOT of space available for parking. Kendall did an outstanding job of working with the airport manager to set up parking and flight areas. Parking would not be a problem and there is more than enough space for growth for future flyins.
The flying weather was outstanding this year. Even with some large thunderstorms in the area, we were able to fly morning and evening of every day except one.
The best thing about this flyin is the scenery. Runway 17 starts about 100 yards from the Mississippi River. You can fly along the Mississippi and see the boats, tugs and barges that traverse it daily. There are sandbars all along it where you can do touch-and-goes all day long. If you're into more daring flying, you can fly between the rows of sugar cane that are literally EVERYWHERE around the area. Don't get caught in the cane, however, or you'll have to push your machine out.
If you want to see wildlife, the Atchafalaya (pronounced uh-CHAF-uh-lie-ah) spillway and basin is just a few miles up old Hwy. 1. If you don't see an alligator or 10 or herds of deer, it's because you just didn't look hard enough.
Some of the BEST flying is just 2 miles to the southeast over the town of New Roads, though. False River is an old part of the Mississippi River that became an oxbow lake when the Mississippi changed it's course many years ago. It's a very scenic and popular place for boaters and partiers. That's where the fun comes in. Fly along the lake edge over the water and, sooner or later, you're gonna get flashed, mooned or a combination of both. Your arm's going to get tired from all the waving and everyone is happy to see us. Folks have come to expect the powered parachutes each year and look forward to "messing" with us. It's not unusual for them to try and hit us with water guns and spray hoses. The lake's so big that it usually isn't a problem to stay well away from the boaters and still be able to fly as low as you want over the water. Access to the lake is easy without having to fly over any congested areas or part of the town.
EAA Chapter 244 has a hanger at the airport and was gracious enough to open it to us and host a hamburger cookout on Saturday after we flew in the morning. A presentation on Sport Pilot was given by a rep. from the FAA who was gracious enough to give up some of his time and come out to talk to us about the new rule. Tim McCord gave a presentation on how to attach a chute. A thunderstorm brewed in the distance and threatened to end our day but it stayed north of us and only kept us grounded during the middle part of the day when it's too turbulent to fly in southern LA anyway.
Scott Hughes (finally) showed up on Saturday afternoon with one of his new Predator powered parachutes in tow. It's a nice looking machine with some actual innovations that should make it a winner. I didn't get a chance to fly it but I heard that it's quite the performance machine. I can believe it - it's got a honking big prop on the back!
We had a great evening flight on Saturday. The storms moved away and the boaters took back out on the lake. Almost everyone headed into the sky and went out over the lake. I could see at least 10 powered parachutes over or near the lake at any time. The partying on the lake was in full swing. I think that we got mooned or flashed by a majority of the inebriated partiers on the eastern shore of False River. :-)
Many of us flew until the last minute of legal twilight. It was a great way to end the day. The only problem with flying that late is that there's not a restaurant open late in New Roads. Most headed back to Baton Rouge to try and find a place but Scott Hughes and Lisa and Judy and I set up the grill and I grilled some steaks while Scott just TOTALLY aggravated Tim McCord who was trying to get some shuteye in his trailer.
Sunday's flying was just as good but most had left by Sunday afternoon. Too bad. They missed what I think will become one of the best parts of this flyin.
On Monday, I woke up to watch Scott and Lisa hitch up their trailer and head back to Houston and then Tim McCord loaded up his RV and headed for more southern clime. Judy and I were the last ones there. We headed into Baton Rouge to have lunch with Craig "Crazy" Gaspard and his wife Mona and Kevin Manual and his wife Pam. Kendall had gotten permission to fly over the USS Kidd which is docked next to the I-10 bridge in downtown Baton Rouge and it right next to the State Capital building. I made a call to BR Approach and set it up with them. We received permission, as long as one of us was on frequency with BR Approach, to enter the Class C airspace and fly next to the 4th of July celebration.
The best place for us to get to the celebration was Omni Airpark just about 7 miles to the west of Baton Rouge. Five of us ended up making the flight - Kendall flew with Craig's wife Mona, Kevin Manual, Scott Moss, Jeff from New Orleans and Judy and I. I kept in radio contact with Approach. It was definitely a new experience to hear Baton Rouge Approach say "Powered parachutes - radar contact. Proceed to the I-10 bridge for your flight.". Just by dumb luck, as we arrived at the celebration, a hot air balloon lifted off from the shore line and joined us over the river. It was definitely a congested area but we stayed over the waters of the Mississippi and were under the guidance and instructions of ATC the whole time.
We flew above the river for about 5-10 minutes and then headed back to Omni Airpark. It was a great experience and we all had a wonderful time. What a way to end a flyin!
Lots of flying. I went through 40 gallons of fuel. No rollovers, no problems, more naked butts and breasts than I can count. I know how I'm going to spend next year's 4th of July!
Walt...
There are a few flyins that you should absolutely mark on your calendar if you live in the south-central U.S. Ed Neff's Tri-State Ultralight flyin is one, Ernie Baugh's Sho-Me Chute flyin is another, the Extravaganza is a definite go-toer and now add the Cajun Prop Blast to your list of "don't miss" flyins.
July 1st thru 3rd were the dates for the flyin but there was some simply awesome flying on the 4th, too. More on the Independance Day flight later, however.
Judy and I arrived at the False River Airport in New Roads, LA about 10:00pm Thursday night to find a lot of trailers already parked. Most pilots who attended were either from the area or were staying in one of the local hotels or bed-n-breakfasts. Tim McCord from PD and one other RV were the sole on-site attendees. We set up camp on the large grass area that was set aside for trailers and RV's.
There was a LOT of space available for parking. Kendall did an outstanding job of working with the airport manager to set up parking and flight areas. Parking would not be a problem and there is more than enough space for growth for future flyins.
The flying weather was outstanding this year. Even with some large thunderstorms in the area, we were able to fly morning and evening of every day except one.
The best thing about this flyin is the scenery. Runway 17 starts about 100 yards from the Mississippi River. You can fly along the Mississippi and see the boats, tugs and barges that traverse it daily. There are sandbars all along it where you can do touch-and-goes all day long. If you're into more daring flying, you can fly between the rows of sugar cane that are literally EVERYWHERE around the area. Don't get caught in the cane, however, or you'll have to push your machine out.
If you want to see wildlife, the Atchafalaya (pronounced uh-CHAF-uh-lie-ah) spillway and basin is just a few miles up old Hwy. 1. If you don't see an alligator or 10 or herds of deer, it's because you just didn't look hard enough.
Some of the BEST flying is just 2 miles to the southeast over the town of New Roads, though. False River is an old part of the Mississippi River that became an oxbow lake when the Mississippi changed it's course many years ago. It's a very scenic and popular place for boaters and partiers. That's where the fun comes in. Fly along the lake edge over the water and, sooner or later, you're gonna get flashed, mooned or a combination of both. Your arm's going to get tired from all the waving and everyone is happy to see us. Folks have come to expect the powered parachutes each year and look forward to "messing" with us. It's not unusual for them to try and hit us with water guns and spray hoses. The lake's so big that it usually isn't a problem to stay well away from the boaters and still be able to fly as low as you want over the water. Access to the lake is easy without having to fly over any congested areas or part of the town.
EAA Chapter 244 has a hanger at the airport and was gracious enough to open it to us and host a hamburger cookout on Saturday after we flew in the morning. A presentation on Sport Pilot was given by a rep. from the FAA who was gracious enough to give up some of his time and come out to talk to us about the new rule. Tim McCord gave a presentation on how to attach a chute. A thunderstorm brewed in the distance and threatened to end our day but it stayed north of us and only kept us grounded during the middle part of the day when it's too turbulent to fly in southern LA anyway.
Scott Hughes (finally) showed up on Saturday afternoon with one of his new Predator powered parachutes in tow. It's a nice looking machine with some actual innovations that should make it a winner. I didn't get a chance to fly it but I heard that it's quite the performance machine. I can believe it - it's got a honking big prop on the back!
We had a great evening flight on Saturday. The storms moved away and the boaters took back out on the lake. Almost everyone headed into the sky and went out over the lake. I could see at least 10 powered parachutes over or near the lake at any time. The partying on the lake was in full swing. I think that we got mooned or flashed by a majority of the inebriated partiers on the eastern shore of False River. :-)
Many of us flew until the last minute of legal twilight. It was a great way to end the day. The only problem with flying that late is that there's not a restaurant open late in New Roads. Most headed back to Baton Rouge to try and find a place but Scott Hughes and Lisa and Judy and I set up the grill and I grilled some steaks while Scott just TOTALLY aggravated Tim McCord who was trying to get some shuteye in his trailer.
Sunday's flying was just as good but most had left by Sunday afternoon. Too bad. They missed what I think will become one of the best parts of this flyin.
On Monday, I woke up to watch Scott and Lisa hitch up their trailer and head back to Houston and then Tim McCord loaded up his RV and headed for more southern clime. Judy and I were the last ones there. We headed into Baton Rouge to have lunch with Craig "Crazy" Gaspard and his wife Mona and Kevin Manual and his wife Pam. Kendall had gotten permission to fly over the USS Kidd which is docked next to the I-10 bridge in downtown Baton Rouge and it right next to the State Capital building. I made a call to BR Approach and set it up with them. We received permission, as long as one of us was on frequency with BR Approach, to enter the Class C airspace and fly next to the 4th of July celebration.
The best place for us to get to the celebration was Omni Airpark just about 7 miles to the west of Baton Rouge. Five of us ended up making the flight - Kendall flew with Craig's wife Mona, Kevin Manual, Scott Moss, Jeff from New Orleans and Judy and I. I kept in radio contact with Approach. It was definitely a new experience to hear Baton Rouge Approach say "Powered parachutes - radar contact. Proceed to the I-10 bridge for your flight.". Just by dumb luck, as we arrived at the celebration, a hot air balloon lifted off from the shore line and joined us over the river. It was definitely a congested area but we stayed over the waters of the Mississippi and were under the guidance and instructions of ATC the whole time.
We flew above the river for about 5-10 minutes and then headed back to Omni Airpark. It was a great experience and we all had a wonderful time. What a way to end a flyin!
Lots of flying. I went through 40 gallons of fuel. No rollovers, no problems, more naked butts and breasts than I can count. I know how I'm going to spend next year's 4th of July!
Walt...