Yeah Kansas was AWFUL!

[FrontierFlyer]

To whomever said they were treated like a redheaded stepchild at the
extravaganza...Boy your not kidding!! It was AWFUL!!!
Let me just tell you how bad it was...
FIRST of all... My girlfriend and I got lost coming in Wednesday
night and didn't make it in until VERY late..or about 2 in the
morning Wednesday. (MY fault for not following Keith Dials
instructions...DON'T try your own shortcut) So I get to the Hotel
and get a good nights sleep. Thursday morning, we get up
and head over to this big field in the middle of no where. When we
get there, we are greeted with smiles and welcomes ( I don't like
that silly nonsense) and they help us get a spot to park our trailer
and get a site for tent camping. We find the perfect spot and it
ends up being near several people from this list. (which by the way
they were being really helpful and NICE... Don't you guys know any
better?)
So as we are setting up, I realize we are in a big cow pasture. There
are plenty of cow patties all around us...is this sanitary?? OH i
forgot to mention, when we were driving down the gravel road...I was
awe struck at this big field. First of all, It was WAY too big, Not
enough trees, power lines, fences or other obstacles, the grass was
all cut down, and it was level. (are you guys NUTS?)
OK now back too my story... So after we got parked we walked
around a bit. All of a sudden I started meeting lots of people from
this list. They really were too nice...So I decided to let the cat
out of the bag and tell them what kind of machine I flew. I thought
to myself..."Self, THAT will really throw a curve ball at them!!"
Now...your not going to believe this, but they were STILL friendly!
What in the world is going on here????
Thursday afternoon it rained. And rained some more. (getting
out of character for a moment...I heard the farmers REALLY needed
this rain...so I decided it was OK if it rained... :-) )
Now here is where the Extravaganza really started to go sour and I
was treated like a redheaded stepchild.... When it started
raining, one of the staff there offered to let me keep my PPC in that
big
tent. The nerve of these people!!!
All the while, there are these educated people teaching stuff in this
big tent while it is raining outside. I already know all I need to
know!! How insulting!!
AND if there aren't these smart people teaching, there's
entertainment going on... You think I want to have fun or
something??? AND they are giving stuff away!!! (What's the catch
here pal?)
So Friday comes and I get to do some flying. And I guess it's ok.
It's pretty flat with large farm fields...to many places to land if
something bad happens though. Really though, the scenery was way to
nice to enjoy. Saw lots of folks on the ground waving to us. Even
saw cars pulled over on the side of the road watching us. I yelled
down to them to get back to their miserable lives. If they only knew
that flying these things really isn't much fun.
Friday night...more fun stuff...blah blah blah.... They even make you
go to these pilot briefings so you will know the current weather
conditions and the forecast. Then they tell you the pattern to fly so
you will be even safer. Where is the fun yet????
So I decide to get up early Saturday morning and do some flying. I
get out of the tent, and there isn't anyone around. I get my machine
pre-flighted and head over to the field. Well I guess everyone else
had the same idea as me...the weather is nice so lets go flying.
Great. Kind of weird though...everyone is all lined up like they are
going somewhere. Everyone has their chutes laid out, but no one is
going anywhere. You silly people...your supposed to take off after
you do all that! SO I get my chute all situated, then I get strapped
in. My engine is all warmed up and ready to go...but then I see this
funny looking guy on a 4 wheeler riding down the line. He gets down
to me and starts waving this silly green flag around. I dont know
what it means, Nor do I care. I just give it gas and go. Once I see
that my chute looks good, I take off. Man let me tell you...there
sure are lots of folks on the ground watching. I've never seen so
many spectators. They must not get out much!
So next thing I know is...the sky is FULL of these crazy contraptions
flying around. Guess I had the wrong idea to try and fly this
morning. Everyone is waving and acting a fool. As I fly off...I
notice that EVERYONE is turning to the left. Must be something neat
to see around here, so I go off the same way. Im flying around a
bit, and I feel some fun coming on. Then I start noticing we are
turning left again. DANG what in the world is going on here!!??
Soon, before you know it, everyone is landing. I don't know why, but
I decide to land to. After I'm on the ground, I hear these guys
yelling and cheering. So I let out a Yee Haww as well...just trying
to fit in. OHH NOW I get it... They are having a mass first time to
solo in a PPC flight! Wow what a great idea!!
After all this hooplaa is over with, they start doing fun stuff ALL
over again!! Ludicrous!!
Now here is the real kicker...this is where they REALLY treat you
like a redheaded stepchild... Are you sitting down for this??? They
GAVE away a Powered Parachute!! I guess they felt so sorry for us
poor bastards that they made us go through all this horrible stuff
this weekend...they thought they would be nice for a change!!
Those Powrachute folks are just some really insane people!


Signed,
Oscar The Grouch



Oh by the way....
That was just me having a little more fun.... On a serious note...
This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I had
such a great time! And Everybody I met was wonderful. I wish I could
have actually flown more with some folks from this list. And there
were lots of people I didn't even get to meet. The folks from
Powrachute were incredibly hospitable. This was my first fly-in ever
and you can sure bet I will be back next year. Do what ever you can
to make it!
And as far as the record launch went... It was absolutely
incredible!! I almost got a little choked up once I was on the
ground watching everybody come in... just an amazing sight!!
ONE more thing... I have been a fireman for almost 14 years. We are
well known for having some very tight camaraderie. I learned this
weekend in Kansas, that PPC pilots also share this gift of
camaraderie. It was absolutely amazing. Can't wait till next
year!!

[Hiflyer]

It was truly awesome! Near religious experience! Especially getting to meet and fly with great guys like you and meeting up with others I get to see only at big events.

[mrdakota]

Steve,
I hoped that with age you would have forgoten that phrase about flying fruit.

Keith Storrs

[sds4kst8]

FrontierFlyer (aka Oscar the Grouch)...great job on the sarcasm and glad you enjoyed your visit! Kansas is a great place. Sometimes the problem is that not enough people realize that!

I have a question for some of you who were at this event like I was. Did any of you catch that commotion that was going on with the new airframe, the PPCruiser? I happened to be in the area of this display on Saturday morning and when the guy rolled this thing out of the trailer it was like all H**L broke lose.

This was my first time at ANY fly-in and I was glad to be able to attend what I had heard was a good one. But, frankly, I was stunned that security and/or the event organizers were giving this guy such a hard time. I picked up a brochure and watched the short video and this airframe looked like it was top-notch. The web site for the event clearly states that all makes and models are welcome. While I enjoyed my visit that day, having to witness the commotion surrounding that display put a damper on the overall experience. The guy with the display seemed like he was on the "up and up", but security just kept hounding the guy. I heard from some friends who were there on Sunday that he ended up getting to stay and display the PPCruiser.

Clue me in. Did I miss something or not fully understand what I was getting into by attending the event?

Thanks.

BTW -- the brochure I picked up that day had a link to the web site and the pics give a pretty good view of how this airframe is made. You can find it at www.ppcruiser.com

[FrontierFlyer]

Hey Scott!
I had heard a little about the controversy going on that morning. From what I have heard, they were not allowing any dealers to show machines other than Powrachute. Which sounds like a reasonable request being that it's their show. From what I understand he was asked to not try and sell his machine and he did anyway, and thats when things got ugly.
I guess it would be uncomfortable to be caught up in all that!
Glad you had a good time the rest of the show! I will be back next year for sure!!

Fly Safe!!

[Hiflyer]

Although I heard this third hand, it seems that the guy had been manufacturing components and accessories for Powrachute for some time. He had even had a display before and had gotten permission for a "booth" on that basis. When he showed up with an entirely new machine to offer for sale in competition to Powrachute, it was understandably not taken well.

It's their show and they foot the bill. They do welcome any brand to participate in all the activities. Using the event to promote a competing brand was taking it a bit to far.

[sds4kst8]

Hmm.

Remember, this is all new to me, so I'm coming at this with a very simple point of view (sometimes that can be the best, though!). But maybe an event like this shouldn't be sponsored/coordinated by a manufacturer? Wouldn't that eliminate those kinds of problems?

I don't know enough about what went on to really comment, but what if someone had shown up with that machine to fly and participate? That might have done more to "sell" the machine than just putting it on display! And what will happen if there are dozens of these machines sold before next year's event? Will all those people be allowed to attend and participate in the event? I just might be the proud owner of one of these PPCruisers by next summer (gotta get to Topeka to check it out and test fly it!). I'm wondering how "welcome" I'd be if I tried to attend next year?

I figure I've got a few months to figure this out, but since I was just at this year's event for one day and it was my first time, I'd be curious to know how truly "welcome" the event organizers might make someone feel in the future with one of these machines?

[Bruce Brown]

Anyone can put on a fly-in, be it a manufacturer or a person. Powrachute puts a lot of time, effort, and money into making their fly-in the best.

It is their fly-in, therefore you go by their rules. Other manufacturers also put on fly-in's, but Powrachute is the biggest, with the biggest dealer network, so it is the most attended show. It's central location is also a plus compared to other locations.

I don't fly a Powrachute, but I certainly appreciate their willingness to allow me or anyone else with any machine (including a Sky Cruiser) to come and enjoy their event. I hope they continue to put this event on for years to come.

If that guy showed up with that machine and wanted to fly, there is no issue. The issue arose when he set up a booth to promote and sell his brand of PPC at the Powrachute fly-in. The only PPC allowed to be promoted at their fly-in is their machine - it makes sense doesn't it?

Now, if he had set up a booth to sell products like Bear Perkins or Tom Olenik does, then that is a different story. PPC vendors can set up and sell their wares to everyone because everyone, regardless of machine, can use them.

If you choose to purchase a Sky Cruiser and attend the Powrachute fly-in as a pilot they will welcome you with open arms. If you ever have a chance to meet the people at Powrachute, you will find them to be top notch - regardless of what you fly.