Hi Guys,

  Nine people in five planes made this Fly-In to Chiriaco Summit (L77) on

Feb 16. From SEE were Gary Ghio & Gary Kauffman in an Arrow, and Dave

Kennedy & Bob Werve in a C337. Out of MYF were Andy Silver and Mike Gretton

in a Comanche, Chris Claborne in a C172RG, and then there were Bret Strain

and me in a C172.

  Initially we were going to Santa Paula (SZP), but WX reports and forecasts

were really screwed up and changing rather quickly. It was 6,000' at ONT,

then 2,000 at VNY and then 1500 at SZP. Then the ceiling at VNY went up to

3,000', but the ceiling at SZP went down to 1,200'. So with that movement of

ragged ceiling, we decided to go to our alternate L77. Then just before we

left for L77, the ceiling  at SZP went up to 2,000', but then the fast

moving front from the NW might come into SZP and we might get out of there.

L77 turned out to be the best.

  However, L77 wasn't too much better. Some of us went VFR from SEE and one

or two went IFR from SEE. Over the mountains there was smooth air with

scattered clouds around 4,000-6,000'. So with a little wheeling and sliding

you could go around the clouds. Once we crossed the hills near Salton Sea,

visibility when down to 3-4 miles and we had to follow down low over highway

10 eastward to L77.

  Dave Kennedy and Bob Werve were already at L77 and had a nine seats saved

for us. During our Hangar Flying at brunch we solved the world's problems

for President Bush and then decided our next important event... our next

Fly-In. That'll be on March 16 and we'll try for Santa Paula (SZP), once

again. The alternate airport will be Apple Valley (APV).

  Bret Strain, our camera man, took some pictures at brunch and Chris

Claborne will put them on our website below with the pictures of SZP and APV.

  Best of clear skies and tailwinds,

Tony Tex

http://www.cyberthought.com/tonytex/