Gaston's in October

[Diana]

Diana,
Are you overnighting?

Hey Kaye!

Yep, spending the night in Cabin #3. Wayne and Rebecca Pierce are flying up from Memphis and will be staying in our cabin with us. Terry and Denise are flying their Bo in on Friday, and will be in Cabin #6 with their two labs. Josh from Texas (from the red board) is flying in on Friday in his Cherokee Six. Some of the guys from Wichita might fly in for lunch on Saturday. Marc Popejoy is coming for the day on Saturday, and Dean might be flying in for part of the day on Saturday, too. Joyce Wilson may join us, as well. And now it looks like Jim and Mary will be coming too.

Are you going to be in the area?

 

[wabower]

Did Josh steal Jason's Six?

Hey Kaye!

Yep, spending the night in Cabin #3. Wayne and Rebecca Pierce are flying up from Memphis and will be staying in our cabin with us. Terry and Denise are flying their Bo in on Friday, and will be in Cabin #6 with their two labs. Josh from Texas (from the red board) is flying in on Friday in his Cherokee Six. Some of the guys from Wichita might fly in for lunch on Saturday. Marc Popejoy is coming for the day on Saturday, and Dean might be flying in for part of the day on Saturday, too. Joyce Wilson may join us, as well. And now it looks like Jim and Mary will be coming too.

Are you going to be in the area?

 

[Diana]

Did Josh steal Jason's Six?

Oops. I was trying to multi-task. Yes, I meant Jason. Well, at least I gave you another opportunity to give me a hard time.

 

[jlwilson]

I'm going to be a chicken and drive. I need someone to teach me how to land on a grass strip

 

[Dean]

I'm going to be a chicken and drive. I need someone to teach me how to land on a grass strip

If you are uncomfortable with landing on the grass, land at Mountain Home and Gaston's will pick you up there. But grass is really no different than a hard surface runway.

 

[Dean]

Looks like I am out, I have Grandpa duty this weekend.

 

[jlwilson]

Thanks! That's a possibility. Now my biggest problem is finding a place to stay. Guess I waited too late and all the rooms at Gaston's are taken. Anyone have a spare couch?

 

[wabower]

Unless some guy parks a SUV at the end of it.

If you are uncomfortable with landing on the grass, land at Mountain Home and Gaston's will pick you up there. But grass is really no different than a hard surface runway.

 

[wabower]

Moi? Surely you jest.quote=Diana;506800]

Oops. I was trying to multi-task. Yes, I meant Jason. Well, at least I gave you another opportunity to give me a hard time. [/quote]

 

[Kaye]

Hey Kaye!

Yep, spending the night in Cabin #3. Wayne and Rebecca Pierce are flying up from Memphis and will be staying in our cabin with us. Terry and Denise are flying their Bo in on Friday, and will be in Cabin #6 with their two labs. Josh from Texas (from the red board) is flying in on Friday in his Cherokee Six. Some of the guys from Wichita might fly in for lunch on Saturday. Marc Popejoy is coming for the day on Saturday, and Dean might be flying in for part of the day on Saturday, too. Joyce Wilson may join us, as well. And now it looks like Jim and Mary will be coming too.

Are you going to be in the area?

Probably not.....but I'm watching the weather. My instrument skills are a little rusty, so I'm watching. Just knew I couldn't make it in time for lunch if I give it a go.

 

[wabower]

Will "a woman's guide to rotator cuff rehab seminar" be a part of the educational sessions?

Moi? Surely you jest.quote=Diana;506800]

Oops. I was trying to multi-task. Yes, I meant Jason. Well, at least I gave you another opportunity to give me a hard time.

[/quote]

 

[Diana]

Looks like I am out, I have Grandpa duty this weekend.

Sorry you won't be able to join us.

Thanks! That's a possibility. Now my biggest problem is finding a place to stay. Guess I waited too late and all the rooms at Gaston's are taken. Anyone have a spare couch?

Joyce, can you ask them to put you on a list of people to call if there is a cancellation?

Unless some guy parks a SUV at the end of it.

It looks like it will be wet again...rain forecast there for the next few days. I'll try to get there early to post your sign.

Probably not.....but I'm watching the weather. My instrument skills are a little rusty, so I'm watching. Just knew I couldn't make it in time for lunch if I give it a go.

I wish you could come.

Will "a woman's guide to rotator cuff rehab seminar" be a part of the educational sessions?

It was canceled d/t lack of interest. We'll be flying instead.

 

[bbchien]

Got it out of annual.

But still am on call. sigh.

 

[jshawley]

It was great to visit with Tom and Diana, Wayne and Rebecca, the Calloways, Joyce, and Marc today!

 

[Diana]

It was great to visit with Tom and Diana, Wayne and Rebecca, the Calloways, Joyce, and Marc today!

Jim, we really enjoyed seeing you and Mary again. I've got more photos coming up. The video will take a few days to edit before I post it. Here are photos of us with Marc as we waited for Wayne to arrive from Memphis. Those pansies on the picnic table were a nice touch.

 

[Diana]

We finally got to meet Joyce...what a delightful, energetic, and enthusiastic lady! It was a blast flying with Joyce, and I'm looking forward to spending even more time with her.

 

[Diana]

Here is Wayne after his aerobatic ride...he seemed to have a good time. And here is Marc inspecting the runway. It was soft and wet in spots near the picnic table and tie-down area, so some of us parked next to the windsock.

 

[wpierce]

Love the panoramic view, too bad we can't photoshop the poor Traveler out of the shot... :-(

We had a great time and can't emphasize enough what a pleasure it was to meet everyone. It seems like the best people on earth gravitate toward Tom and Diana. I don't know how Rebecca and I have kept them buffaloed for almost two seasons (summer and fall).

 

[Diana]

Here are some photos of the pretty trees at Gaston's, and the deer near our cabin (#3). We saw them out near our cabin and the grounds near the conference building often, even in the middle of the day.

When we came in to land the first time on Saturday morning, there were a bunch of geese next to the runway near the pond. I came in to land and hoped they would move, but they didn't, so I went around. Marc was behind me and he tried it too, but he went around. The geese were unflappable. So, I came around and landed and they just watched us go by, and then they watched Marc land, and awhile later they waddled back to the pond.

 

[Diana]

Love the panoramic view, too bad we can't photoshop the poor Traveler out of the shot... :-(

I thought about taking it out, but decided to leave it in. It seems to be a part of what happens at Gaston's.

It was really interesting watching that video of the "incident" in our cabin. I think we all watched it a LOT of times analyzing it. Studying the runway where various parts of the airplane left their mark was interesting, too. I felt so badly for the pilot and his wife and am glad they weren't hurt. They seemed like really nice people.

We had a great time and can't emphasize enough what a pleasure it was to meet everyone. It seems like the best people on earth gravitate toward Tom and Diana. I don't know how Rebecca and I have kept them buffaloed for almost two seasons (summer and fall).

What a nice thing to say. We really, REALLY enjoyed spending time with you both and look forward to seeing you both in the near future. I'm going to email you a photo I took of you two sitting out behind the cabin....it's really sweet....you had the cutest grin on your face.

After I edit all the video we took, I'll post the final product, including your nice landing and take-off. Thanks for helping shoot some of the video.

 

[wpierce]

Diana, I think I would like a copy of the panoramic photo in as high a resolution as you have. That looks like it would be beautiful in a frame. It's the right dimension to go over my fireplace but probably not high rez enough to blow it up to what I need.

I didn't take any "beauty photo's" someone made me go take video instead

 

[Diana]

Diana, I think I would like a copy of the panoramic photo in as high a resolution as you have. That looks like it would be beautiful in a frame. It's the right dimension to go over my fireplace but probably not high rez enough to blow it up to what I need.

Working on it as we speak. It is actually a cropped photo. I'll send you that other one, too.

I didn't take any "beauty photo's" someone made me go take video instead

I feel bad about that. Sorry!

 

[Bob Bement]

Diana, Those pictures don't make me feel any better about not being there. The pictures are very beautiful though. You are so lucky to be that close to Gastons.

 

[jlwilson]

WOW, just WOW! What an absolutely incredible weekend. It was really neat to get to meet Diana and Tom finally! I knew from the couple of phone conversations that Diana and I had several months ago that she was a wonderful person. And she's even more than that in person. And Tom is every bit as sweet and wonderful as Diana!

Wayne and Rebecca are great folks too. It was great to meet them and Jim and Mary and Mark and Justin and Morgan and Jean and Mike!

And then there was 'THE RIDE'. I am actually pretty scared of things like roller coasters and wild amusement rides, so the first spin really got me and then immediately afterwards I realized how much fun it had been. Diana is an awesome pilot and I am so glad that I took my first aerobatic ride with her. She is so calm and collected and just talked through what she was doing as she was doing it and immediately I was at ease. We did a loop and 1/2 Cuban 8 and Split S (I think I got those right :smile and each one was more and more fun. I can't thank her enough for such a wonderful first experience with aerobatics. Diana, I'll ride with you anytime you want to practice .

Seriously, I can't wait to see all of you again. And Diana I've already saved the flight plan to LLU for the next nice day when you're free for lunch! See ya soon!!

Joyce

 

[jshawley]

Those are absolutely "loverly" photos, Diana! Well, except for the one where my ugly mug cracked the lens!

I looked at the video of the deer that my still camera took; it wasn't very good at all. Part of that may be the operator--I've never used the video mode before.

If'n it ain't too big a file, I would like to see the video of the"incident," for my own training exercise...

 

[somorris]

Diana: Thank you for posting the photos. They are really pretty. It looks like you guys just about hit the peak time for beautiful fall leaf colors. From reading the posts, it is amazing to see that people who have connected on this site (and others) with like interests get along so well when they meet in person. I think you and Tom deserve kudos for being the stimulus to get people together. Good going!

 

[Diana]

Diana, Those pictures don't make me feel any better about not being there. The pictures are very beautiful though. You are so lucky to be that close to Gastons.

Hey Bob, we wish you could have been there. You sure have some beautiful country out your way that I'll only get to see through your videos.

Those are absolutely "loverly" photos, Diana! Well, except for the one where my ugly mug cracked the lens!

Awww, you looked good!

If'n it ain't too big a file, I would like to see the video of the"incident," for my own training exercise...

I may hold off on posting it or sharing it just yet. The FAA already called me asking for it. They are investigating it out of the Little Rock FSDO.

Diana: Thank you for posting the photos. They are really pretty. It looks like you guys just about hit the peak time for beautiful fall leaf colors. From reading the posts, it is amazing to see that people who have connected on this site (and others) with like interests get along so well when they meet in person. I think you and Tom deserve kudos for being the stimulus to get people together. Good going!

Stacey, what a nice thing to say. I keep hoping that one day you'll fly up and join us.

 

[Diana]

WOW, just WOW! What an absolutely incredible weekend. It was really neat to get to meet Diana and Tom finally! I knew from the couple of phone conversations that Diana and I had several months ago that she was a wonderful person. And she's even more than that in person.

Awwww, what a nice thing to say.

And Tom is every bit as sweet and wonderful as Diana!

He really is a nice guy.

And then there was 'THE RIDE'. I am actually pretty scared of things like roller coasters and wild amusement rides, so the first spin really got me and then immediately afterwards I realized how much fun it had been. Diana is an awesome pilot and I am so glad that I took my first aerobatic ride with her. She is so calm and collected and just talked through what she was doing as she was doing it and immediately I was at ease. We did a loop and 1/2 Cuban 8 and Split S (I think I got those right :smile and each one was more and more fun. I can't thank her enough for such a wonderful first experience with aerobatics. Diana, I'll ride with you anytime you want to practice .

I had a lot of fun flying with you, Joyce, and I look forward to flying with you again.

Seriously, I can't wait to see all of you again. And Diana I've already saved the flight plan to LLU for the next nice day when you're free for lunch! See ya soon!!

I'm ready anytime! Hey, Turkey Mountain is having a fly in next Saturday for a chili lunch. Here is the web site for the airport:

http://www.airnav.com/airport/MO00

And the fly-in info:

http://www.turkeymountainairport.com/

OH, and I'll post more of those photos after my satellite connection perks up.

 

[Diana]

A few more photos. I posted some of these on the red board, but will add them here for those who don't go to the red board. Dean had asked me about the incident, so I'm posting more here.

Logan, the young man who is in charge at Gaston's when Ron isn't there, said the Bellanca that had a problem this year was sitting on their tie-down area for three months before it was hauled out. I guess they will have to take the wings off this airplane and truck it out?


I feel for the pilot. He is a low time pilot who flew a borrowed airplane down to Gaston's from Kansas City for lunch. He and his wife seemed like really nice folks.


********************************************************************************
** Report created 10/27/2009 Record 2 **
********************************************************************************

IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 7374L Make/Model: AA5 Description: AA-5 Traveler, Cheetah, Tiger
Date: 10/24/2009 Time: 1900

Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Minor

LOCATION
City: LAKEVIEW State: AR Country: US

DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT ON LANDING ROLLOUT, NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, LAKEVIEW, AR

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: FLP AUTO 24005 10SM CLR 17/03 A2990

OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER


FAA FSDO: LITTLE ROCK, AR (SW11) Entry date: 10/26/2009

 

[SCCutler]

Ouch!

Yoke back, yoke back, yoke back...

...wonder if he was hot and braking heavily?

 

[wpierce]

Ouch!

Yoke back, yoke back, yoke back...

...wonder if he was hot and braking heavily?

IMHO I would say, yep and yep.

 

[somorris]

What a sad thing to have happen to a new pilot. I know a guy that has a Yankee with a 150 hp engine conversion. Nice airplane, but he is so afraid of it he doesn't fly it often and when he does he lands way to hot because he is afraid of stalling. Maybe this guy did something similar. Very sad.

 

[Diana]

And on a lighter note...here is a video I made of our approach to land, go-around, and landing at Gaston's.

This is a large file (had to upload it in the middle of the night), but I left it that way so you can see how pretty those trees are and so people who haven't been there yet can see the Dam Approach from our perspective. This video doesn't even have music...just flying and our noisy cockpit and a little radio chatter.

Wayne's Cherokee is in the initial photo, and Jim Shawley's Cherokee can be seen on the ramp during our go-around. Marc Popejoy is in the pattern with us and you can see him on final (before his go-around) at about 5:54 minutes into the video.

BTW, my landing wasn't that hard...the cameraman merely made it look that way.

I'm still working on a video of the people at Gaston's and their take-offs and landings. That one will show Joyce (and Jason) waving from the back seat of the Citabria.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

I enjoyed that video, Diana!

What's the little dorsal-fin thing sticking down from the leading edge of your left wing? An antenna? Blade pitot?

 

[kevin47881]

Great video, Diana!

 

[Diana]

I enjoyed that video, Diana!

What's the little dorsal-fin thing sticking down from the leading edge of your left wing? An antenna? Blade pitot?

Troy, that's the fuel vent deflector...it's positioned right in front of the fuel vent to keep it out of the air flow.

 

[Diana]

Great video, Diana!

Thanks, Kevin. I was hoping to capture the colors of the trees....they were really pretty that weekend.

 

[jshawley]

Boy, I'm glad you didn't videotape my landing!

That is a great video, Diana, and a great landing to go with it...

 

[Diana]

Boy, I'm glad you didn't videotape my landing!

Oh, was it *interesting*? I can't remember what you said about the geese...were they near the runway when you landed?

That is a great video, Diana, and a great landing to go with it...

I'm working on the other Gaston's video, the one with people in it and your take-off.

 

[jshawley]

Naw, the landing was ok (save for the geese, who didn't budge ), but the taxiing was interesting when I started to slog down in the parking area.