From: Tony Texeira tonytex@cox.net

Hi Guys,

We had a nice turn-out of fifteen people in seven planes for our Aug 15 Fly-In to Santa Paula (SZP).

Four planes flew from Gillespie Airport: Dick & Betty in a Cirrus 22; Doc & Betty in a Skymaster 337; Jeff Cary & Jerry Jackson in a C-172; Robert, John, Ted & Bill in another Skymaster 337.

One plane from Brown Airport: Dennis flew his Tomahawk.

Two planes from Montgomery Airport: Gary Ghio & Gary Kauffman in a Piper Arrow and Bret Strain and me in a C-172.

Weather wasn't the best in San Diego. Ceilings were around 1000', but it was only a 1000 or so feet thick. Most planes went IFR to VFR on top while others waited for the clouds to break up and jumped up through holes. Once on top, it was the same awesome sight. A beautiful white, fluffy, cotton blanket that no one but we pilots can appreciate.

About the time we reached the LA Basin, the "blanket" disappeared. Imagine that. Overcast in San Diego, but clear in the LA Basin! Anyway, some planes went around LA's Bravo airspace, some high and over the top, and some used the lower special routes over LAX.

Due to different take off times, we didn't all get there within the 15 minutes of each other this time. More like half hour. Around 10:30 AM. Parking at SZP is not the greatest and they chased some of us out of the tiedowns on the south side of the field to the north and north east side. You know, the north east side is like the "South Forty" for SZP. But everything worked out okay.

Eventually all fifteen of us met at Logsdon's Restaurant and discussed and solved the world's problems in our hangar flying discussions over breakfast. It's still a nice restaurant with decent food. Bret Strain and Robert Werve acted as our Fly-In camera guys. They'll forward the pictures to Chris Claborne, webmaster, and he'll get them posted on the website shortly.

We hung out and hangar flew for a couple hours and then about 12:30, we all scattered for home and places in between. Before departing, we agreed the next Fly-In is to Santa Barbara (SBA) on Sep 26 where we'll meet at the Elephant Bar Restaurant. More info on this Fly-In in a later email.

Overall it was another good Fly-In. Good flying, friendly aviators, good food, nice hangar flying and a good time. That's what counts. Not to mention we're doing our small part to keeping GA and associated businesses alive and well.

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

Best of clear skies & tailwinds,
Tony Tex

(back)