Micro Oshkosh on East Coast

[Vlad]

After reading an ad here on VAF about Sky Manor 4th Annual Fly in, the decision-making process was quick - a "GO". We ( my new Lucas-free MiniCooper and I) told RV to guard the house and whistling happily we left the premises.



Motored about an hour, stopped by Alexandria Field for couple minutes. Two airports are just miles apart. I was training future courtesy car how to recognize airports and other stuff. It seems like Mini understood and liked the drill.





Then we zoomed to N40. Sky Manor is nice little field located in picturesque area of Western New Jersey. I would estimate about 100 minutes ride from Empire State Building, it's really pretty close to the City.

Lots of parking space for cars, bikes and airplanes.





It was like little Oshkosh. N40 Management provided excellent weather, tasty hotdogs and relaxed atmosphere. Ratio of kids to adults was very high and I know why. There were so many aircrafts designed for kids. Say this toy helicopter. Only kids were around. The Heli even flew couple of inches from the ground.



Other copter came later but stayed on the other side of the field. The Bravest on duty decided do not approach kindergarten today.

[Vlad]

Stand Up! 'Shun! That's RV discipline. Everywhere the same perfect lines.



At Ease. There was lots of big boys toys by the hangars. Somebody told me that those are kit cars. Is that true? I may want to build one.





There was a real mockup of a Russian Jet with repainted exterior (joking here)

[Vlad]

Very diverse and interesting exhibition of aircrafts. This "kerosinka" is very popular in Eastern Europe and Asia. The fleet of Maules is growing there.






Lovely RV-12 was there as advertised. Waiting for demo rides. Nice write-up about a ride by a professional test pilot here http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=47278










There was a competitor named Sting3. Right name for the Sleek the price probably stings three times of RV12. But she was a beauty I can tell you.

[Vlad]

There was something picniky in the air. Food court was running full smoke...




The smell was so good and was spreading so high and far that two open cockpit biplanes diverted to our destination. I was running fast to catch them, stumbled and broke the picture . Only these fragments left....

[Vlad]

Sky Manor Founding Fathers.



They were waiting for somebody. May be for this guy.







to be continued

[Bonnell65]

Vlad: Thanks for the report on Sky Manor. Didn't know they were growing in the Fly-In area that much. Brought back great memories of flying (1980-90) with Dad (George Bonnell; 1926-2004) in the RV-3 he and the family built from scratch (1975-80). We kept the plane in the chicken coop converted to hangar at the south end of the runway. Flew lots with Bob Mahler, brother of Ed Mahler, the namesake of the chapter. Thanks again.

Col Bonnell

[AndyRV7]

Boy I wish I knew about this. I would have loved to attend. Thanks for the great pics. I made my first skydive at Sky Manor.

PS. Vlad, your plane looks great!!

[JDanno]

What kind of turbine is in that Maule? That would have to have tremendous performance!!!
It's hard to believe that there is so much beautiful country so close to the big city. N.J. is not called the Garden State for nothing.

[jbDC9]

Great write-up and beautiful pics! And can we have some of that nice weather down here in Houston please??

[TSwezey]

Excellent write-up and pictures!