Observations From SNF '09

[the_other_dougreeves]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

2. Turnout was abysmal. You could count the top shelf show planes on one hand. 5 years ago it was packed by Wednesday. This year, half full on Saturday.

Any thoughts about whether this was due to the Florida use tax? Yes, the Fla Department of Revenue said they weren't going to ramp check every airplane to see if tax was due, but good luck with that.

TODR

[weekendflyboy]

No trip writeup but I thought I would post some pictures I shot with the pocket camera. I have a tendency to shoot neat ideas and details of planes. So not all the pics are of the full side shots of planes.
I meet some really nice folks on this trip. I can't wait to Oshkosh.


http://www.nonstopaviation.com/sunnfun-2009-pm-36.html

[Kyle Boatright]

Kahuna's post about the dust is true every year. The fine grit down there is a nightmare.

Otherwise, I really enjoy SnF. For ~$60/day plus consumables I am around one of the nicest groups of people in the world. My thought on fly-in's is that if you go to meet new people and see old friends, you'll never be disappointed. The show planes, displays, forums, and airshows are secondary.

As usual, I had a great time. And this year, fly-in pilots got a decent free hat and a free beer just for registering. Nobody has mentioned that yet. Not a reason for going, but certainly a nice perk.

[bsacks05]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

And this year, fly-in pilots got a decent free hat and a free beer just for registering. Nobody has mentioned that yet. Not a reason for going, but certainly a nice perk.

We got the free hat, but no one offered me a free beer upon registration. Now I'm really mad.

[chaskuss]

Originally Posted by cyberpilot10

we only had one incident in paradise village. an LSA came in a little hot and went off into the ditch, no one got hurt.

Rich,
Was that what all the sirens and commotion was about Friday morning?
Charlie Kuss

[snowbird]

I gotta say that the commercial food on offer this year at Snf was very good and reasonably priced for an event of this nature. The salad place across from AOPA had a huge, fresh Greek salad for $7. I had a tasty jambalaya for $5. Nice to be able to have a beer on-site as well.

[cyberpilot10]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

Rich,
Was that what all the sirens and commotion was about Friday morning?
Charlie Kuss

All the noise and sirens on friday morning was a volunteer group called the Raiders..... They are the group that pick up the garbage... Sun-N-Fun wouldn't work without them, they have the hardest job on the field and they do a very good job, every year they have a parade...



Rich

[N941WR]

Let's see...

I opened the canopy on Monday and someone handed me my first free beer. Every night there seemed to be a lot of free beers floating around. Then there was the VO Gold added on top of the beer. Wednesday night's pool party with a pool full of free beer and the $10 steak dinner on Friday night which included, you guessed it, more beer. Oh, and there was even more free beer on Saturday night.

I think I have consumed my yearly allotment of beer.

Bruce, bummer we didn't catch up.

[CNEJR]

I flew from Conroe to Snf in a Beech Barron.

Cost for fuel my share .........$328.00
Hotel for 4 days................... 360.00
Rent Car..............................300.00
Food...................................300.00


Didn't see anything new. Bought nothing.

Met Van..........Priceless (??)

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by bsacks05

We got the free hat, but no one offered me a free beer upon registration. Now I'm really mad.

Say what? I didn't get a beer mug either and I landed and registered on Monday!