Sun n Fun reports

[Bob Jackson]

How about reports from those of you who are attending SnF. I am interested in 103 PPCs. Particularly those with four cycle engines such as the Dragonfly. Thanks Bob

[Joe Hines]

Hello to all from sunny Florida!
Sorry to report those exhibiting PPCs are as sparse as last year. Powrachute, Infinity, and a lone Buckeye are it. The number of vendors is down again this year with over half of the Ultra light area empty. It is a far cry from my first days there when vendors fought over space and proximity to the flight line

Marty do you remember back in ’99 when you were selling jumbo wheels out of an umbrella tent so far from the runway you couldn’t hear if they were flying? And Yeah, I still have those wheels, not worth a #hit, but you were a convincing salesman.


As for the new PPC’s, Powrachute has a new 103 single. It looks like an innovative machine that has saved weight in every area. It comes in with a 447 at #239! They are selling for less than 10K as well! I can’t say that I am happy with the rollover protection for larger Pilot (LIKE ME) because the bars are close enough to hit your head on them. Other than that it is an impressive flyer.


Infinity had a single, but it was not 103 legal, as it was too heavy. It is a nice looking flyer but nothing new. There is Buckeye Dragonfly here. It is the Generac model. It is being show by a dealer with the Buckeye factory nowhere to be seen. It looks as good in person as in photos, but have yet to see any PPCs fly this year.


If you are looking for searing hot sun, ankle deep mud, and a very few PPCs this is the place to be.

[Rich K]

"If you are looking for searing hot sun, ankle deep mud, and a very few PPCs this is the place to be."


Gezzzzzzzzzz Joe -- that sounds more like Vietnam then Florida.

I think you're witnessing first hand the demise of Sun and Fun but sure hope it isn't so.
Recently, or so it seems, each year there are fewer in attendance and that reflects both on the condition the industry and the economy I suppose.

On to better things -- weren't you involved in a new PPC build?
How is that going?
And, is Stitzville on again this year?


Hope the snow is gone when you get back home ! :-)


Safe Sky's
Rich K

[Joe Hines]

Rich,
The demise of PPCs at SNF for sure, why is anyone’s guess. I haven’t done much on the new machine, too much overtime plowing to get parts. I think I’ll get the proper paperwork and see if this one can be n numbered, well maybe.

2007 was the last for the Stittville Fly in. Many reasons but a quick glance of a new sectional will say it all. We still have a few fields to fly from, but none with all those facilities. Damn shame.

[Rich K]

"2007 was the last for the Stittville Fly in. Many reasons but a quick glance of a new sectional will say it all. We still have a few fields to fly from, but none with all those facilities. Damn shame. "



Indeed -- DAMN sad !
It was a good time for all in attendance and sure wished I could have made it there more often.

You're not to far from the the Fulton County fly in hosted by UlFlyers .
It's a well run event and from my experience it was fun for all who attended.
Darn good folks all !!


Snow -- isn't that a four letter word? :-)
Will it be gone by July? :-)


Safe Sky's,
Rich K

[Joe Hines]

Rich,
I am here in Florida cashing in my compensatory time earned for a lot of time plowing snow, so I will not disparage the precipitation that pays for my fun. I called the lovely wife, and she says it will be all but gone by my return Saturday anyway.
The Labor Day Fly In will be missed. It has a good run, but there is a bottom to every ice cream cone, and we have found the bottom to this one. I don’t know if 103s are welcome at Fulton, if we are I might attend, can’t speak for the rest.

[Rich K]

Joe,

There were 103s when I was there.

Here is the site for info.
http://www.ulflyers.com/

All were warmly welcomed by the operators and it's a well run event.
As a matter of fact they even had "controllers" to monitor aircraft on the two available runways.
To top it off -- the flight to Lake Ontario was nothing short of spectacular and easily doable.

The best part is Gordon was there to test the winds as he always does. :-)

Safe Sky's
Rich

[mignazito]

Joe:

I never had a booth at SNF. Don't recall the sale either. The big 800X6 tires are a big drag. Sorry I ever thought of it. I stopped selling them, but they seem to have "caught on". I feel like the kid who played with matches and burnt down the town. The first set I sold was to a guy who really needed them. He was flying from the loose sand pine barrens in South New Jersey and anything less would just sink in axle deep. People started seeing them and wanted them.

I have found the best wheel/tire setup to be a 350X8 on an Azusa 8" wheel. Problem with those is Azusa is the only one I can find who stocks that size tire. I have them on both my PPCs. Very low drag.

[Joe Hines]

Marty,
You were in an umbrella tent, maybe not yours, next to the snow fence by the access road. You had the then new Prairie Sky Hooks as well. There were two of us, both over 6 foot and #250+. BTW I hold no ill-will; they worked ok on my friend’s 618 DM as it had ponies to spare.

[mignazito]

I was probably "squating" in some one else's tent as I could never afford a booth at SNF. I have several Skyhooks unsold in my garage. The mfgs and dealers liked them, but they were not a big seller.

[Bob Jackson]

Marty, I remember Sky Hooks from Boy Scouts, we asked the tenderfoots to get them to hold the tents up. What are yours like. Bob

[merk2g]

To Joe and all interested in one of the friendliest and potentially the best number one
ultralight / light sport /… fly-in in New York:

The following is a quote from Gulliver’s Wilderness Fly-in info page;

“All aircraft are welcome including powered para-motors and gyros and GA- you don't have to be FAR Part 103!! We will tailor needs to fit all types of aircraft.”

Joe, please spread the word that all Stittville fly-in flyers would be more than welcome at Gulliver’s and indeed this would be the best fly-in in NY or I will buy you a steak dinner.
Pictures from Gulliver's past fly-ins http://www.ramairskyways.com/HTML/GulliversWildernessAirParkFlyinDates2004thru2007/index.html


Rich, no problem, I will continue to check the winds so long as you all continue to come to the fly-ins and spread the word. I have a great new wind sock, the Thunderbolt E340 thanks to all the info. from Marty and this forum.

The Main Event 2008:
Gulliver’s Wilderness Airpark Annual Fly-ins
10th Annual Fly-in July 23rd thru 27th and Summer’s End Fly-in August 22nd thru 24th
Palermo, NY
315-593-1403
http://www.ulflyers.com/

See you all there.

Gordon Merkel
Ram-Air Skyways
http://www.ramairskyways.com/

[Joe Hines]

Gordon,
I didn’t recognize Fulton County Fly In as Gulliver’s. I’ve been there as you well know! Great time had by all! If gas stays under five bucks and old Bread-zilla is sill running I’ll be there, and try to get as many Stittville Air Force members as I can there too.

[skibird]

This was the first year with my ppc and unfortunately I had to miss the Stittville Fly In. I was definately looking forward to it this year. :(

[Rich K]

"Rich, no problem, I will continue to check the winds so long as you all continue to come to the fly-ins and spread the word. I have a great new wind sock, the Thunderbolt E340 thanks to all the info. from Marty and this forum. "


Gorden,

You with a Thunderbolt -- area F-16's watch out ! :-)
Are you rigged for IFR as well? :-)

I'll need to check that out -- Marty has me thinking that direction too.

Pleased you added more about about Gullervers !

See you there !

Safe Sky's,
Rich K