March 28, was the date of our Spring Fun Fly. It was also the day the winds were fierce and unpredictable. They ranged from 9 to gusts over 25 miles. It made for some fascinating flying by the most daring among us.

Still I believe everyone who attended had a pleasant time watching and marveling and occasionally gasping at the maneuvers that the winds produced.

More important than flying was the food which was available and free to the spectators. Harry Hovorka and his helpers prepared hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings and had coffee, tea and doughnuts. Lots of doughnuts.

The first event required the flyers to land in the circle and run between two flags set about 15 feet apart. Sound easy? It would have been had it not been for the North wind on the east/west landing strip. Even so, there were 6 brave pilots, Scott Casey, Arnold Holmes, Rich Evans, Larry Fortna, and Dennis McGinnis. Even though Dennis tied Scott in the attempt, Scott accomplished the task in one try, so he was declared winner with Dennis second.

The next event was the doughnut drop which required the pilot to attach a jig to his plane, put a doughnut around it and take off then drop the doughnut as close to the circle as possible. Scott Casey and Dennis McGinnis tried but even without rolling the plane the doughnuts flew off in areas where no one wants to land voluntarily.

The final event on this difficult day was the Limbo. A crepe paper ribbon was stretched across two poles about 20 feet apart and 8 feet high. All the flyer had to do was fly under the crepe. To make it a little more difficult the wind decided to stretch the crepe paper to its full length which at times of low wind caused it to hang about 5 feet off the ground. The flyers were Dennis Reeves, Dennis McGinnis, Scott Casey, Larry Fortna and Rich Evans who managed to fly a foamie around the pole, under the ribbon 3 times without touching the ground on one flight. Great job Rich. Second was Dennis McGinnis.

This year we had a new announcing system which could be heard by everyone. Thanks to all those who installed it and then made it work. We even had music in between announcements.

Our door prize was an ARF donated by Jack Noell of Noell’s Hobbies and was won by Bob Luppert. The 50/50 was won by Linda Durst.

Financially the day was a success bringing the club $64 in 50/50, $113 from the door prize and $55 in food donations.

Overall it was an enjoyable day for those who attended, and we missed seeing those who didn’t. Maybe next year.

CLICK HERE to view some photos from this event.

Norman Paddock