CASCADE FLYERS

NGPA PALM SPRINGS A SMASHING GREAT TIME

Quite a few Cascade Flyers members from the Northwest and B.C. Canada attended NGPA's winter warm-up this year in Palm Springs, California. I think nearly everyone had a great time socializing with other like-minded folks about airplanes and aviation while soaking up the delicious sunshine. 

The agenda has become fairly typical - the above photo is an informal first day lunch with some Cascade Flyers members at the Blue Coyote Grill  on Palm Canyon Drive. Thursday and Friday evenings both started off with a super-fun cocktail party at the fabulous homes of local members. Saturday was our typical conference at the hotel. This year AOPA representatives gave a fantastic talk all about General Aviation topics in the U.S. of which there is a lot to talk about.

AOPA does a fantastic job - and the fact that the incredible NGPA Executive Director (a CF member too by the way) so graciously invited them - and that they actually flew out and attended, is an encouraging testimony about the state of societal affairs.

Saturday afternoon was the airplane show-and-tell - walking about members' airplane parked on the ramp. We are so thankful to NGPA and all the members who made this event so wonderful. Many of the members couldn't stand it - and fired up their planes for some impromptu flights.

 

There was such an amazing variety of aircraft from the above little French beauty, to a helicopter. One member flew his Baron from Virginia for the event! Then of course, there is Jim and Tim's 727.

 

Once again the members from SFO flew down their B-727 VIP business jet - and offered rides to those who donated to the General and Education Funds. Incredible.

If you are so motivated - attending any NGPA event is wonderfully worthwhile - many of us local Cascade Flyers members are members of NGPA as well. In fact, NGPA offered their local mailing list to us to help us form Cascade Flyers many years ago - check them out, become a member and attend any of their events.

Texas Rangers 757 at CYVR!

Whenever we travel by commercial airlines, most of us sit in cramped coach seats (possibly with a small, whiny child kicking the seat behind us), are subject to the whims of airport delays, and are usually lucky to get anything to eat beyond a tiny bag of pretzels or peanuts.  Not so for us GA pilots, and certainly not so for the Dallas Rangers who were in Vancouver last week to play the Vancouver Canucks.  Their B-575 was parked on the ramp at our FBO, Landmark Aviation.

Style certainly describes the Rangers' mode of transportation. The Boeing 757 has a completely reconfigured interior that can accommodate 71 total passengers in their own leather seats.  There are 24 fully-reclining sleeper seats that swivel 360 degrees and 47 other first-class seats in three sections of the plane, plus two club-seating arrangements for the players and a four-passenger couch.  The upgraded Video Entertainment System includes an iPod Docking Station that allows passengers to play movies from laptop, iPod, or DVD in each section of the plane. 

Oops, did I say the Texas Rangers were in town?  I meant the Dallas Stars! ;-)  (And, the Canucks won!)

Check out this youtube vid for a tour of the inside:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOGBfQatjtU 

FLIGHT TO PACKWOOD AIRPORT

(photo by M.B)

Last Sunday we coordinated a somewhat last minute flight down to Pierce County/Thun field to meet up with some CF members one of whom owns a Grumman. We decided to fly in loose formation down to Packwood airport south of Mt. Rainier. The route took us over Longmire then through a small valley called Skag Creek. The valley had many waterfalls and was really beautiful. 

(photo by M.B)

The ceilings and visibility were good enough for some great views of Mt. Rainier. 

(photo by M.B.)

Our formation was not at tight as the blue angels - nor as fast. The Cessna could not keep up with the Grumman very well.

(photo by M.B.)

They cut down some of the trees that were directly on this approach to RWY 1 at Packwood. A nice little coffee shop is one block away; there is a bar and pizza place very near too - plus plenty of loggers in big pick-ups.

CASCADE FLYERS NOW ON FACEBOOK

Marv created a Facebook page for Cascade Flyers that looks fantastic! Feel free to become a friend on our new page! 

BURGER-RAMA FUN AT THE DELUXE

We had a great time at the Deluxe Bar and Grill for the ever popular Burger-rama. Many very long-term members attended and many brand new pilots and future pilots were there too! It was so great to meet everyone. The place as usual was crowded and frenetic but most of us dealt with it OK. We were finally seated at about 7.20pm and I'd say the service was overall pretty good despite the many comments on Yelp.
Next time I think we will have a "happy hour" in the pool room, then go for burgers later when the massive crowds thin out. Lot's of plans for future flying were talked about and that is always a good thing. Also we will be creating a Facebook page about our little group as well. Thank you to everyone who came from near and far (from Lake City-Renton-Easton area) and braved the hellish Capitol Hill parking situation to attend. Great to see everyone!

PC-12 LANDING AT PACIFIC CITY, OREGON

NEW BOOK ABOUT EARLY SEATTLE AVIATION HISTORY

This new book is out. The new Release from the Seattle Times: "Seattle's Commercial Aviation, 1908-1941" by Ed Davies and Steve Ellis, foreword by Bill Boeing Jr. (Arcadia, $21.99). A photo-essay survey of commercial aviation's early days in Seattle, including the founding of The Boeing Co. in 1916. Davies and Ellis discuss the book, 2 p.m. Dec. 26, Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle; free (206-764-5720 or www.museumofflight.org).

TYPHOON AT SANTA MONICA AIRPORT

CF and NGPA member Rob W recently introduced me to the restaurant "Typhoon" at Santa Monica Airport in Los Angeles. It was a perfectly clear day, warm and sunny. The restaurant sits directly on the south tarmac offering incredible views of the runway and airport activity.

 

(photos and logo from typhoon.biz)

They have plenty of deck space for outdoor dining or drinking. Of course Rob W. ensured our attendance during the strict happy hour time frame.

(photo by Rob W)

As an added bonus NGPA member "J.M" flew over from another LA airport in his airplane to join us for drinks and appy's, although he only had diet coke, the poor guy.

(photo by Rob W)

I would certainly recommend Typhoon to aviation enthusiast during a nice day in L.A. when you have nothing else to do there! Great during the day and of course during fine sunsets.

 

(photo by Rob W)

But, if you fly-in remember to heed the SMO curfew at 2300. 

HOT PILOTS SERIES COVER OF LIFE

Hot pilot series on the cover of LIFE.

FORD TRI-MOTOR DOES AEROBATICS

There are many Ford Tri-motor fans out there, you know who you are. Ron sent this link about a Ford Tri-motor doing aerobatics from aircraftowner.com. Please don't try this in a Cessna 172 without a lot of aerobatics training. Thanks Ron for sending this link.