2008-Aug-24 Would love to make it to this
unsponsored event, reminiscent of the Albuquerque camping trips.
Joe Onofrio tells us: As of tonight there are 20 confirmed pilots and
about the same number of maybes. I have also heard of a couple of groups
planning to attend that I have
not heard from directly. I was there last week and am happy to report that
the folks at Gouldings Lodge are ready and looking forward to seeing us. For
those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit,
Gouldings Lodge is
located 5 miles from Monument Valley Park; it features all the amenities
required and a few extras. They are microlite and PPG friendly and have a
small airstrip that we are welcome to use. Here are some videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGV7iUy0CoE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La13I9_WzbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUHMkGacFD8 RV and camping sites are
available but the lodge itself is booked. There are a few rooms available at
the Holliday Inn 928-697-3221 and the Hampden Inn 928-697-3170 both are
about 20 miles from the park. If you want a hotel room …do not delay…and if
you want a cheap room you are going to have to get online and start
searching. There is NO REGISTRATION FEE... BUT...There will be a Banquet
Saturday night and it would be nice to give the lodge some preliminary
numbers. If you plan to come, please send
Joe an e-mail or call him at
303-594-6319. |
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12/19/2007 Lets
usher in the new year with sun drenched flight. Doff the space suit, load up
your flight gear and join me in southern Florida. This is where the warm air
hides when cold fronts press southward. Yes, it can be chilly but that means
a high of 65 degrees. OK, you might have to put a jacket on but leave the
space suit up north. Usually the temp is above 70 this time of year.
SEVENTY! Paul Czarnecki, of PlanetPPG.com, is
organizing what promises to be a rousing good time. This class act teaches
in the area and knows the good spots. There's plenty of space for RV's, too.
I can hear the Enterprise drooling already. See ya
there! |
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I have a special appreciation for people willing to put on
a large fly-in. I've done it twice and think that everybody should take
their turn in the breach at least once. There's no end to the little tasks
required and pecking to be endured and rounding of volunteers and so on.
Thanks guys.
The national convention is unique in that it not being run by any one
vendor. Plus it's always timed to coincide with the spring's emergence and
the large EAA fly-in that's usually within a week or two. Organizers go
out of their way to accommodate a large number of vendors. All these
things have combined to make it the largest display of powered paragliding
goods in the country. You an fly before you buy, too.
The new site is huge and there are miles of fields around over which to
fly and foot-drag.
Site
Analysis | Registration |
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I got an email from Michigan pilot, Brent Wickerham,
who told the tale of coming travel to Arizona. A large contingent from Michigan and
Ohio escaped their chilly home for the 4th Annual Phoenix Flying Circus in
February. They've even got a website up for their Michigan
Migration.
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Thanks for the bag and the great time! |
They did a Florida trip last year that yielded only two flying days and
improved dramatically on that percentage with Arizona. Every day was
flyable all day long and these guys tore it up. They were fun to fly with
and be with.
We all lucked out with the weather, beating the the average high/low in Phoenix's
February which is
68°/46°F. The record low was 28°!
Some pilots also went to the Salton Sea and a few went to the amazing
trip to Glamis Dunes. Brian, in fact, was one of the rescuers who
retrieved Greg Bouten from his outlanding.
It was very enjoyable spending time with these guys and I look forward
to more whenever we have the opportunity. |
1. A group of Michigan Pilots in Florida from 2005. Note the coats. Brrrrr, who turned off the heat down
there?
2. The whole group that actually
showed up in Arizona. And quite a group it was, they represented fifteen
percent of the total registered pilots in Arizona.
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