From: Tony Texeira tonytex@cox.net

From: "tonytex" <tonytex@cox.net>
Subject: POST MARCH FLY-IN
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 08:59:33 -0800

Hi Guys,
Well.... Again the weather prevented us from doing the March 17th Fly-In to Rosamond (L00). An approaching cold front with low ceilings, forecasted severe turbulence over the mountains and strong, gusty winds in the desert, convinced us to cancel. So we lowered our horizons and shortened the flight to French Valley (F70), and if the weather was decent there, then continue to Riverside (RAL), which we did.

Nine people in five planes made this one. They were; Bret Strain & David Oakley in a 172, Dennis Cullum in an RV3, Chris Claborne & Jim Newport in a 172SP, Gary Ghio & Gary Kauffman in an Arrow, and Steve Kennedy and me in a 182.

MYF had a 3000' ceiling and we had to fly West of Mt Soledad, where it was clear, to get above the 3200' top of Bravo Airspace by Torrey Pines. Heading Northeast toward Palomar, the clouds again confronted us and we had to descend to 2600' until a few miles south of French Valley (F70). Then, to our surprise, from F70 to the northwest, the ceiling kept rising until it was clear over RAL with calm winds.

The restaurant at RAL was full and couldn't accommodate all nine of us, so we pulled a couple tables and chairs together and sat outside in the patio. Initially that was a good idea and we could watch the runway and air traffic. However, as the wind kicked up, our lips started turning blue. Fortunately some people inside finished eating and we hustled inside and grabbed a table and booth. Of course, since we ordered nine meals outside, and the inside the seating arrangement was completely different from outside, the waitress was a bit miffed on who got what to eat. But it all worked out... except she went through the same thing again trying to figure out who got what bill because meals where on individual bills.

Flying south to San Diego, we stayed just ahead of the fast moving front from the Northwest and it got a little lumpy, but nothing compared to what we would have encountered if we'd have flown over the mountains to our original destination.

We may not have made it to L00, but we had fun flying time and we did some great hangar flying over breakfast. And that's what it's all about.
Take a look at our website below for pictures of the people and planes on this Fly-In.
OKAY... NEXT FLY-IN... APRIL 28th... Guess where the destination in... YES... ROSAMOND (L00). We're going to make it there yet.

Best of clear skies and tailwinds,
Tony Tex

(back)