I was pretty skeptical about going to a fly-in west of San Antonio in June, but it really turned out to be a nice day with a constant breeze that kept things from ever getting scorching hot all day. I saw and talked to so many people from this and other RV forums that if I started to mention names, I would never end, and would assuredly leave someone out - so all I will do is say that it was GREAT to talk with so many RV builders, fliers, and those that would like to be. Seeing so many fantastically crafted airplanes was just as great - homebuilders really turn out some marvelous stuff!
I flew out for th day, with an aim at sliding in before the traffic got heavy. Hondo was reporting and forecasting alternating IFR and MVFR ceilings until 10:00, but I left Houston early anyway, knowing that there was clearer weather to the south and at any rate, I had enough fuel to circle and wait for improvement if I needed to. Flying out at 6500, I was on top of numerous broken and scattered layers of ground fog and weak cumulus. I began listening to people calling Creek Approach when I was quite a ways out,. and they were getting in, while the METAR was calling "Few @ 700, broken at 4500". That looked a little optimistic by my eyes as I found a huge hole between Kelly Field and Castroville and followed the highway inbound, but the approach and tower folks seemed to believe it, so who was I to argue? Visibility was good at any rate.
One of the benefits to getting there early was a chance to enjoy cooler temperatures, but I still liked the earlier date (last year it was late April or early May?). I was disappointed at th number of vendors there - I remember the last year it was held in New Braunfels I was actually able to buy building supplies, but this year you could basically shop for an engine, an airframe, or a Light Sport....or, of course, buy some tools from the Avery's (always great supporters of fly-ins!). Not needing any tools or engines today, I simply settled for a Funnel cake, and listened to my old boss Gene Kranz talk at noon about the early days of the program. I'm sure that the folks who stayed for the banquet and his talk about Apollo 13 will remember it well - he's a powerful leader and speaker!
I was not the only one that apparently had enough sun by 1400, and the departure line started building shortly thereafter. I ended up on top of scattered clouds at 9,500 all the way back to Houston, and the afternoon thundershowers began popping over downtown in a north/south line just about the time I was landing. It rained an hour or so later at my home field, so I guess I called the timing right - but it was fun to see how the "afternoon shower phenomenon" that I have watched for so many years appeared on the XM weather. It happens fast!
Overall, a nice day - I heard a rumor that they might move it to October next year, which would be cooler....but that the date might conflict with LOE, which would be BAD in my opinion. I know that both LOE and SWRFI would suffer with a lack of RV's - and I know that I, for one, would rather hang with the RV's at LOE.....
Paul
I flew out for th day, with an aim at sliding in before the traffic got heavy. Hondo was reporting and forecasting alternating IFR and MVFR ceilings until 10:00, but I left Houston early anyway, knowing that there was clearer weather to the south and at any rate, I had enough fuel to circle and wait for improvement if I needed to. Flying out at 6500, I was on top of numerous broken and scattered layers of ground fog and weak cumulus. I began listening to people calling Creek Approach when I was quite a ways out,. and they were getting in, while the METAR was calling "Few @ 700, broken at 4500". That looked a little optimistic by my eyes as I found a huge hole between Kelly Field and Castroville and followed the highway inbound, but the approach and tower folks seemed to believe it, so who was I to argue? Visibility was good at any rate.
One of the benefits to getting there early was a chance to enjoy cooler temperatures, but I still liked the earlier date (last year it was late April or early May?). I was disappointed at th number of vendors there - I remember the last year it was held in New Braunfels I was actually able to buy building supplies, but this year you could basically shop for an engine, an airframe, or a Light Sport....or, of course, buy some tools from the Avery's (always great supporters of fly-ins!). Not needing any tools or engines today, I simply settled for a Funnel cake, and listened to my old boss Gene Kranz talk at noon about the early days of the program. I'm sure that the folks who stayed for the banquet and his talk about Apollo 13 will remember it well - he's a powerful leader and speaker!
I was not the only one that apparently had enough sun by 1400, and the departure line started building shortly thereafter. I ended up on top of scattered clouds at 9,500 all the way back to Houston, and the afternoon thundershowers began popping over downtown in a north/south line just about the time I was landing. It rained an hour or so later at my home field, so I guess I called the timing right - but it was fun to see how the "afternoon shower phenomenon" that I have watched for so many years appeared on the XM weather. It happens fast!
Overall, a nice day - I heard a rumor that they might move it to October next year, which would be cooler....but that the date might conflict with LOE, which would be BAD in my opinion. I know that both LOE and SWRFI would suffer with a lack of RV's - and I know that I, for one, would rather hang with the RV's at LOE.....
Paul
