Hi Guys,
The "June Gloom" changed our Fly-In destination from RIALTO (L67) to
Borrego (L08) yesterday. Ceilings were low over L67 and MYF, but it was VFR
at SDM and SEE. About 0900 ceilings started breaking at MYF, but it was
still IFR. We got above the clouds at 2200' with an IFR to VFR clearance and
the cloud deck ended about ten miles East of MYF.
Four planes and seven people made this Fly-In. Dennis Cullum in an RV3
from SDM; Jeff Cary & Jerry Jackson in a 172 from SEE; and from MYF Gary
Ghio & Greg Agnew in a Arrow (oops, I mean TURBO Arrow), and Jim Newport &
me in a 337.
At Borrego we went to La Cassa Del Zorro, a desert resort that has an
upscale restaurant with good food and superb service. It's about five miles
south of LO8 and they'll pick you up if you call from the terminal.
Incidentally, the "Cross Winds" restaurant on the field at L08 is closed
for the summer.
Over breakfast we did the usual "hangar flying" on everything from Jim
Newports stuff on 'Nam helicopters, to Jeff Cary's days as a marine sniper.
And Gary Ghio mentioned a mid-air collision at MYF a few years ago which got
the attention of Gary's passenger who has very little experience in small
planes and had to fly back with Gary. But the person with the best story was
Dennis Cullum. When it came time to pay our bill, he got up, grabbed his
rear pocket and said, "Oh, I left my wallet behind." Fortunately someone
staked him to breakfast.
We decided the next Fly-In will be to Flabob (RIR) on July 18. Officially
it's Riverside/Rubidoux. It's a great, little old airport that's been around
for a long time and city officials have tried for years to close it to build
houses. We'll fly there and support another little GA airport. I'll try to
get a some history on RIR when I send out an email about a week before we go
there.
Around noonish we scattered and flew back to San Diego. SDM and SEE were
still VFR and MYF was barely the same, but I doubt the vis was 3 miles.
Shortly after we landed, ATIS called vis 2 miles and the clouds rolled in.
By the way, when Dennis Cullum got back to SDM, he found his wallet where
he left it... in plain view on the trunk of his car by the EAA hangar. That
says a lot for the EAA pilots there.
It was a good time and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the company of a
good bunch of GA pilots.
Our webmaster, Chris Claborne well have RIR's location on the website in
the near future.
Best of clear skies and tailwinds,
Tony Tex
HEADS UP! Signature Aviation at Palm Springs (PSP) has a $35 tiedown &
services fee (chocks and ride in a van. I flew into Palm Springs with a
friend a few days ago and usually tie down at the base of the tower and walk
over to the main terminal restaurant. Don't think I'll do that again. Has
anybody been to the "Million Air" FBO on the East side of the field and know
what they charge?
