BEEUUTEEFUL' DAY for the First NW SKYRAIDERS FALL FUN FLY at the AUBURN AIRPORT

[Shultzie]

A HUGE VOTE OF DEBT OF GRATITUDAL' THANKS to Pete Ferguson and Mike Potter for leading the successful effort in re establishing a new flying site at the AUBURN WA. AIRPORT South end's aircraft staging area.
FINALLY AFTER OVER 50 YEARS this has turned this DREAM INTO REALITY..and  has re-opened the door of opportunity to a new Skyraiders Club control line flying site.

One couldn't have asked for a better day...BRIGHT SUN SHINY DAY...LIGHT WINDS...GOOD FOOD...LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION... The location was especially spectator friendly, virtually right in the center of Auburn's main commuter traffic streets...
AND BEST OF ALL A GOOD TURN OUT OF GOOD OLD & NEW FRIENDS...just GITTIN'TOGETTER' for a memorial  GREAT FUN FLYIN' FALL DAY!

Although the turn out of modelers could have been better, however the Flying Demos were filled with our NW's most gifted builders and flyers.....that kept the entertainment going at a fast pace for everyone.
Here is but a few photos to start off and thankfully...I saw a great deal of cameras and hopefully Fergie' Helmickity' and the rest of the attendee-dandies will continue this post with more photos and stories that will celebrate our FIRST ANNUAL FALL FUN FLY SUCCESS STORY.

Again, yesterday's event  will continue to become not only an annual FUN FEST EVENT but also may just lead an opportunity to help establish  many future competition control line contests in the years ahead.

[Randy Powell]

Well, my car broke down and I spent a glorious day in the garage. Hey, at least I fixed it. Grumble, grumble...

[Matt Colan]

I say that's a darn good turnout!

[Richard Grogan]

Good job Don! You pixs speak volumes of FUN! 

[Steve Helmick]

It was FUN! I guess I got in 4 or 6 flights, with three different propellers. That Thunder Tiger Cyclone 11 x 4.5 is still da KING! I almost poked it into the ground with one of the others, probably more due to turbulance than the prop. Lost line tension in the outside squares and had to bail...turned around and ran! But resumed the pattern and went through the rest ok. My daughter (visiting from Boston) saw me fly a couple of flights, and said that I flew differently than the others. Hmmmm. Not sure who "the others" are! Not Howard or Mike, surely!


Too many club members were AWOL or didn't bring planes. Two circles with 100' of pit space, and we could have had a second pit on the other side (i.e., handle to handle) without overlap.  Lots of those present thought this would be a good spot for a Stunt Contest. Mufflers are required, due to the motel nearby, but I don't think there were any complaints. An early start would not be well received, however, I don't think 9am would be a problem. We didn't get going until about 10am. Let's make Schultzie the CD!   Steve

Edit: I forgot to bring my camera. Maybe Parker took some pics?

[Shultzie]

Here are a few shots of Steve and his NEW LITTLE KNEE SAVER GIGIT-GADGET! No larger than a wallet and fits right in your hip pocket until you gotta KNEELEE'DOWN to start your engines or launch a partners model..etc.
Today my knee hurts from doin a little launch duty...(I gotta order one of these little goodies that would be a GOOD-GODLYSEND...for all kinds of projects round the shop home and the flying circles.
Check out these in  action shots of Helmick doin his dooty..

[Shultzie]

Lots of friends and family members were on the scene as well.

First shot...Grandpa Mike Haverly doin a little show and tell with his beautiful World Class Classic model that flies as beautiful as it looks.
Although he has flown this model many many times....it still looks like a brand new model.
Same goes for his beautiful Shrike of his that had the crowd OOOOOUUUUUIN' AND OHHHWUN' during Mikes numerous demo flights.

[Shultzie]

WOW!
What a difference a few days make...in the fall. Last Sat at the NW SKYRAIDERS FALL FUN FLY the weather was beautiful...bright sunny skys.

Today I took my "JOKEWAGON WOLFIE" in to Auburn for its 20,000 mile $249.50 oil change, tire rotation, and air filter change...and after being "fleest'd' by the dealer, stopped bye and took a shot of the near bye Motel and runway.
What a great place to hold a "FLY IN" CLPA FESTIVAL. Motel is very clean and inexpensive and just a walk through a near bye gate to the circles.
ALSO BEWARE...
THE CASINO'S ARE ALSO A FEW STEPS AWAY...for those that trust their LUCKY STREEEEEEEEK' STREAKS!

[Peter Ferguson]

Yes, the airport site has an added benefit to some who would want to spend time at the local Casino /bar/restaurant, which is a short walk to the Motel and to the flying site. No need for a car.

[john e. holliday]

You guys are so lucky.  DOC Holliday

[Steve Helmick]

That, we are, Doc! Lucky (really lucky!) to have Pete Ferguson writing the schmoozing letters and attending the airport bored (sic) meetings, trying to get us a foothold into the place. Back in the early '60's, there was a permanent CL circle with a concrete carrier deck on the NE corner of the airport property. We tried to get back in there, but no soap. This South Ramp worked pretty well for our Fun Fly, and would work as well for a Stunt Contest.

Fortunately, we have had some non-members point out that this would be a wonderful place for a racing or speed contest. We never would have thought of that, what with the 1) muffler requirements and 2) multiple airplanes in the same circle being specifically not allowed.  Steve