Who's heading to KOI ?

[Alan Buck]

I will be headed south on 1/12/11 to Watt's. then to St.Augustine on the 13 or 14. Hoping for better weather than Pa. No snow in central Pa just cold and winding.

[EddyR]

I hope to be there. I will be flying N-30. Any one elt's flying N-30?
Ed

[Bob Hunt]

Hi Alan:

I'll have that wing for Gene ready to go in time for you to take it to KOI. When the departure date nears I'll call you about where and when to meet you. I'll have your Gypsy 46 core done then, too. Do you want me to bring that as well, or will space be at a premium?

Really enjoyed our visit the other day!

Later - Bob Hunt

[Lynn Weedman]

Hey Bob,
Could you give me some info on the electric twin power plant/ecs/battery/timer recipe?

[Robert Zambelli]

I'll be there.
Put me down for judging if you need me.

Bob Z.

[Lynn Weedman]

Hey Bob,
I believe you're already on the judges list.

[Phil Coopy]

I'm comin' up from Lake Wales...already have RV reservations at the RV park ....hoping the weather holds out. I think Bob Robertshaw is going also.

Phil

[Bill Little]

HI Alan,

Aaron and I had it all planned out.  But the Missus' surgery (which is more important) is scheduled for three days before we were to leave.  She'll be in the hospital, three days minimum.  This year is out........

Guess it will be May at Huntersville before I see you again!

Bill

[Lynn Weedman]

Phil,
Look Forward to seeing you at KOI.
Lynn Weedman

[Lynn Weedman]

Bill/Aaron,
Sorry to here about the bad surgical timing, I was looking forward to seeing you guys at KOI.
Hope the Missis comes thru with flying colors.
Lynn Weedman

[Bill Little]

Bill/Aaron,
Sorry to here about the bad surgical timing, I was looking forward to seeing you guys at KOI.
Hope the Missis comes thru with flying colors.
Lynn Weedman

Thanks, Lynn.

God Bless and Happy New Year!
Bill

[Alan Buck]

Bill I know how hard it is miss KOI when Gail is in the hospital. Diane was in 2 years ago and I miss it not a lot of fun either one. will miss seeing you hope everything goes well

[Eric Viglione]

Count me in! Looking forward to checking out the new dig's! 

EricV

[Bill Little]

Just got off the phone with Aaron.  HE *might* still be going.  (but when the time comes, I think he will stay so he can come down and see "Mom" )

Thanks guys, when you been hitched to a Lady for 40 years, she becomes kinda "important"! LOL!!  I know that before she was born the Lord told her, "Little Girl, I
got one WHALE of a job ahead for you!"

Bill

[Chuck Feldman]

I will be there. Should be another one or two from Stuart also. Lets hope the weather is as we like it.

[Will Davis]

I am heading down Friday Morning , Come back on Monday , The weather will have to be better than what we have this week, off work all week  and too mucjh snow to fly at home . Might have to make it down to Watt Moore's to get out of the snow.

Looking forward to the trip 

Will

[Steve Fitton]

I'll be there.  I have to return something to Derek.....

[Terrence Durrill]

Don't forget guys, that gas is now over $3.00 per gallon nationwide and is predicted to go above $5.00 per gallon in 2011.  You might want to take some extra cash with you.                

[Garf]

I plan to be there even thou I'm not ready.

[jim welch]

Jimmy jank want to play!!!!!!!!As the song says (I"ll be there)....Jimmy

[Derek Barry]

I'll be there.  I have to return something to Derek.....

 I hope to get it back.......

[Alan Buck]

Steve, Derek. I see a battle of Dreadnoughts coming in January. But beware and look out for a Starfire from the southern part Fla. Sv's are looking join in the battle to. 

[Bill Heher]

I'll be there- took vacation Fri-Sun and got a room at the Courtyard for Fri / Sat night.  As a bonus I even convinced Karen- wife of 24 1/2 years to go. Can't promise she'll come to the field- but there are a couple malls right there....

Got in 3 flights on the Score today, engine run is solid now, but what a fuel hog that ST .56 is - I'm running it pretty rich , but in a solid 2 cycle and only getting about 4 -5 minutes out of a full tank.
Thats fine for the beginner pattern - but I plan on using the Score to move up out of Beginner- so I'll have to get the fuel burn down.

[john e. holliday]

Need more break in time.  You guys/gals have fun and don't forget the pictures.

[Bill Heher]

Well if it needs more break in I'm glad I got the tank where it runs the same upright / inverted. I can finish breaking it in while I get inverted level flight down!

[Bill Little]

Well if it needs more break in I'm glad I got the tank where it runs the same upright / inverted. I can finish breaking it in while I get inverted level flight down!

Hi Bill,

What size tank and venturi?  (I missed that somewhere)

Big Bear

[Will Davis]

First on the agenda will be finding a resturant to have the annual  "Gizzard Eating" get together , Watt Moore  and Alan Buck are working up a appetite on the drive down

Sure going to miss Grannies in Stark  

Will

[Randy Powell]

Hope it doesn't end up looking like the Ice-O-Lated.

[Thomas J. Weedman II]

First on the agenda will be finding a resturant to have the annual  "Gizzard Eating" get together , Watt Moore  and Alan Buck are working up a appetite on the drive down

Sure going to miss Grannies in Stark  

Will

Will....there is a sunny's right down the road from the feild and of coarse great food for your "gizzard Eating"

[Steve Fitton]

Will....there is a sunny's right down the road from the feild and of coarse great food for your "gizzard Eating"

Is there a Tilted Kilt or Hooters nearby?

Is Salt Water Cowboys or the Beachcomber open this time of year?

[Robert Schroeder]

Looks like I'll be there also.  Wife is looking to get away for a bit for some R&R.  Of course, it appears I have nothing proper to fly, but might be able to get an ARF flying.

Bob

[Allen Brickhaus]

Hope it doesn't end up looking like the Ice-O-Lated.

We have has some grand weather at the Ice-O-Lated.  Sometimes is was better flying weather than some mid-summer events.

Allen Brickhaus

[Phil Coopy]

Just filled up the RV tank for the trip to KOI.......blew my model budget for the next few years.

Phil

[Thomas J. Weedman II]

Is there a Tilted Kilt or Hooters nearby?

Is Salt Water Cowboys or the Beachcomber open this time of year?

every male of the human species was devestated when we lost our local hooters....i don't think we have a tilted kilt

[john e. holliday]

Don't forget guys, that gas is now over $3.00 per gallon nationwide and is predicted to go above $5.00 per gallon in 2011.  You might want to take some extra cash with you.                

This will probably get deleted, but I wish the college educated idiots that control the petroleum would make up there mind.  How can you justify driving by the stations and seeing gas at a reasonable price.  Go to lunch and the gas price is up.  Finally payday and the gas is out of sight.   Then a day or two later it is back down a lot.  Can't even badget for gas for a car as you don't know how much the gas is going to be.  Was going to Topeka KANSAS to fly but the temps are in the teens and I just spent all the money I had to fill the tank.  Don't know how you guys do it with gas over four dollars in some areas. Maybe we need to start chopping the salaries of some of these over paid people.   

[Bill Little]

HI Doc,

(under the threat of dumping my own post! LOL!!)  One of the "Seven Deadly Sins" that has permeated our society is the whole crux of the problem.  Remember all the tankers off New Jersey (official USN photos showed them) that were not allowed to dock and unload during the 1974 (??) ?  I offered to run ANY petroleum company for only $1,000,000.  A figure much less than what the top execs were and are still receiving, and GREATLY overpaid at that, with a guarantee of raised employee wages for the common working man in the company, raised profits and MUCH lower prices at the pump.  In the #1 per gallon range or less.  It COULD be done, but it has less than the same odds that a gnat stand in a whirlwind that it EVER will..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Big Bear

[Chuck Feldman]

Bill,  This is all facts; I worked at Mobil Oil. Mobil oil went out and filled every closed gas station tanks with gasoline. The also filled all the railcars they could find and over the road tanker trailers they could get there hands on. The unit I worked on was a cracking unit and they shut it down for the slightest problem this was not the norm. Before this period your talking about they did everything imaginable to not shutdown. The tankers you aretalking about where all over the Delaware bay and the river. All the anchorages where full of tankers just waiting to get unloaded. Did you know that Congress got on the oil companies for excess profits at this time. Here is the solution they took for the excess profits. ALL employees myself included where paid double time for one month to get the outrageous profit down. This happened twice while I worked for Mobil. Why was this happening when there was plenty of crude to process and they had huge reserves of oil and gas? I do not know. However I swear to you that it is so. 

[Bill Little]

Bill,  This is all facts; I worked at Mobil Oil. Mobil oil went out and filled every closed gas station tanks with gasoline. The also filled all the railcars they could find and over the road tanker trailers they could get there hands on. The unit I worked on was a cracking unit and they shut it down for the slightest problem this was not the norm. Before this period your talking about they did everything imaginable to not shutdown. The tankers you aretalking about where all over the Delaware bay and the river. All the anchorages where full of tankers just waiting to get unloaded. Did you know that Congress got on the oil companies for excess profits at this time. Here is the solution they took for the excess profits. ALL employees myself included where paid double time for one month to get the outrageous profit down. This happened twice while I worked for Mobil. Why was this happening when there was plenty of crude to process and they had huge reserves of oil and gas? I do not know. However I swear to you that it is so. 

Hi Chuck,

Yep, I knew it was fact.   Saw the pictures of the tankers anchored off shore, myself! LOL!!

Why was it done"  A couple "explanations" (from the PR guys doing their ridiculous spin) were released, but for the major parts, it was "One of the Seven Deadly Sins"  spoke about.  Just from cursory inspection of profit reports over recent years, the major oil companies have all shown quarterly "record profits". 
Reference "Seven Deadly Sins"  "The one labeled Greed and Avarice".  Anyone not believing that as the major source of the problem is disillusioned.  Oil companies know they have the public by the genitals, and always take full advantage of that fact.  Accurate, unbiased, studies show that the majority of the American population (true citizens) prefer the "Ostrich Method" under the disillusionment that All is well and we can TRUST major companies, the Feds, etc..  Stage Four of "The Decline and Fall of Major Civilizations" a sociological study by an author I cannot remember the name of.  Tracks all the known civilizations in recorded history.  All went through the same 4 periods from beginning to end.  America is firmly entrenched in stage four.  We are simply existing as a society because of modern advancements.

MONEY IS NOT THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL, THE LOVE OF MONEY IS.
Big Bear

[Terrence Durrill]

Hummmmmmmmm.........Are we going political here?           

[EddyR]

Ed

[Will Davis]

 I Agree

Will

[Bill Little]

Guys,

The comments have as much to do with the KOI as Hooters, tilted kilt, gizzard eating, etc,. etc., ad nauseum.  Being able to afford gas to get there is more important that being able to go to one of those establishments if you can't get there in the first place.  If the KOI CONTEST is the important thing then all the other is superfluous and not on point, either.

I see the emoticons on yours Ed, no problem.  I know Terrance is kidding (at least I am going to take it that way).  Will, I have no CLUE as to the point of yours.

There is nothing "political" mentioned.  Does any one see a reference to a political party or political figure? Can draw off a "sqauring off circle" in the yard for any who want to "discuss it in person" that I might have pissed off.  IN other words don't be ridiculous.  I can dump a WHOLE lot of posts that have absolutely no connection to the actual content every hour, almost.  Next time I will actually say what I mean......  

Bill

[Will Davis]

What hotel are most of the contestants staying in , Looks like the Quality Inn  in for me, Watt Moore and  Alan Buck

[Chris McMillin]

I'm sorry, but I cannot go.
Chris...

[Steve Fitton]

What hotel are most of the contestants staying in , Looks like the Quality Inn  in for me, Watt Moore and  Alan Buck

Will

Quality Inn for me as well...

[Bill Little]

Aaron, was possibly going to stay at the Quality Inn, but one of his "buddies" wouldn't have him as a "roomie".   He was thinking of going alone, since his Mom may not be out of the hospital yet, which is the reason for me not going.  I'll give her everyone's Best Wishes, etc...  oh yeah, many of you guys haven't wished her the best......  but that's okay, we go through life deluded anyway when it comes to those you think are friends. 

Big Bear

[Derek Barry]

What hotel are most of the contestants staying in , Looks like the Quality Inn  in for me, Watt Moore and  Alan Buck

Dad and I are in the Quality in too. See you all in a couple weeks.

[Eric Viglione]

Hey there Big Bear! I know it's easy to let our stress level max out when we are concerned for our loved ones, but as one of your "buddies" I should point out that your fuse appears a little short on line lately, or should I say more like Primer-Cord?
 
Aaron never asked me to share a room, but to be blunt,  I'd have turned him down flat also, just like I would just about anyone else who would ask (except for a rare few I have roomed with before, that I KNOW I won't want to strangle them / or them me, before the weekend is over)...  I used to travel with all kinds of friends, and learned the hard way that not everyone is compatible.  I always had a hard time saying no to people but I decided in recent years it's time to take a pass, or let other people step up.
 
 I do wish your wife the very best, and hope that the surgery goes without a hitch. I'm sure people were thinking it, and praying for her, even without having remembered to say it.  I've got a disc injury that I'll put off surgery as long as I can stand it... my brother walks with a cane and lives in constant pain to avoid a type of experimental spinal surgery...so I know the decision was not an easy one... I, and certainly everyone here, pray that you find peace and the inner strength to deal with this until it's over with, and that all goes well,
 
EricV

Aaron, was possibly going to stay at the Quality Inn, but one of his "buddies" wouldn't have him as a "roomie".   He was thinking of going alone, since his Mom may not be out of the hospital yet, which is the reason for me not going.  I'll give her everyone's Best Wishes, etc...  oh yeah, many of you guys haven't wished her the best......  but that's okay, we go through life deluded anyway when it comes to those you think are friends. 

Big Bear

[Bill Little]

Thank you, Eric. 
I appreciate your well wishes, and they will be passed along to Gail, and I sincerely hope to see you soon!

Good Luck at KOI.

Bill

[Lynn Weedman]

Is there a Tilted Kilt or Hooters nearby?

Is Salt Water Cowboys or the Beachcomber open this time of year?

Osteens is the place you want to go to get seafood, hands down!!!!!
Hooters shutdown and the beachcomber is opened.

[Steve Fitton]

Osteens is the place you want to go to get seafood, hands down!!!!!
Hooters shutdown and the beachcomber is opened.

I never heard of Osteens, we may have to check it out!

[Bill Little]

I never heard of Osteens, we may have to check it out!

And gas might be $5 a gallon..............

[Lynn Weedman]

I never heard of Osteens, we may have to check it out!

They set the bar for seafood in St. Augustine for the last 50 years or so.They are famous for fried shrimp been on the cover of a bunch of them cooking magazines too. And they have gizzards too!!!

[Bill Hodges]

Steve:

Schooner's is my favorite for seafood in St. Augustine.  They routinely have people driving in from the surrounding towns just for their food.  They are located on US1 right on the north edge of town.

OK, now I'm hungry.

Bill Hodges

[Will Davis]

Looking forward to  some good weather during the day  and good seafood at night  , Cold and rainy today in North Carolina, No Practice today. We have a good group of people going from our area , 

[Alan Buck]

leaving now for KOI. looks like a fun drive ahead snow,rain, and freezing rain. hope to see everyone there 

[Lynn Weedman]

leaving now for KOI. looks like a fun drive ahead snow,rain, and freezing rain. hope to see everyone there 

careful on the road driving in all that weather. It's suposed to be 59 deg and wind under 10 mph for the contest. see ya on friday.

[Steve Fitton]

They set the bar for seafood in St. Augustine for the last 50 years or so.They are famous for fried shrimp been on the cover of a bunch of them cooking magazines too. And they have gizzards too!!!

Um, they use the gizzards as bait for fishing, right?

[Derek Barry]

Me and my wife ate at a place in St A a few years ago that was great. I don't know the name, but it was near the old fort and I think right on the intercoastal waterway. You could open a little door beside the table and drop bread down and watch some the biggest catfish I've ever seen churn the water. The food was very good.
 The ice is melting and I managed to get the van out of the side yard without getting stuck, so we should be good to go. Steve and Eric, you might want to innocently text Derek and ask "just how close DID your car come to going in the pond?" Plus you can harrass him about today 1-11-11, birthday number 32. See you there.
Dale   

[Steve Fitton]

Plus you can harrass him about today 1-11-11, birthday number 32. See you there.
Dale   

Man, Derek is gettin OLD!   

He mentioned the car ended up near the woods, but no mention of it almost in the pond...!

[Derek Barry]

Man, Derek is gettin OLD!   

He mentioned the car ended up near the woods, but no mention of it almost in the pond...!

The pond issue happened when I moved it from the woods. Still going down hill! Hope to get it pulled back up to some level ground when I get home from work.

[EddyR]

Well I am still planning on being there but there is a big problem. My drive is 100 ft long all uphill and it is frozen solid from the ice storm. I had the Mustang at the front of the drive and I took Rebecca to work this morning and it's big fat tires are useless. When I got back home I backed it down 20 ft and parked it. Later I could not move it forward. I fired up the Explorer with  411 positraction and huge mud  tires ,5 speed and drove out across the lawn not even slipping a tire. I backed the Mustang all the way down the drive to see if I can get a running start late tomorrow to get it out. I would drive the Explorer to Florida except the 411 gears limit my top speed to 60 MPH and the tires roar like a jet on taking  off.
Ed

[Aaron Little]

Just a heads up.
We are not going.
Mom's surgery went very well today but I am going to stay home and help out around the house this weekend.

[Phil Coopy]

Well the motorhome is all checked out and ready.  Had to do a quick repair job on my Gee Bee, as I came out an hourglass too low and bobbled it hard enough to  bang the landing gear on the ground, which shot the wheel pants through both the bottom and top covering on both sides of the wing.  Flew it today and it checked out OK.  It's not as pretty any more.....time to finish the new lighter one I started last summer.

Should be arriving sometime early Thursday afternoon.


Phil C

[john e. holliday]

Just a heads up.
We are not going.
Mom's surgery went very well today but I am going to stay home and help out around the house this weekend.

Way to go young man.  There will alwaysbe contests down the road.  But there is only one Mother.  Glad the surgery went okay. 

[Lynn Weedman]

Just filled up the RV tank for the trip to KOI.......blew my model budget for the next few years.

Phil

I know the feeling I drive 57 miles one way to work every day. puts a pinch on the ole wallet when the oil nazis start price gouging us.

[Lynn Weedman]

Just a heads up.
We are not going.
Mom's surgery went very well today but I am going to stay home and help out around the house this weekend.

Aaron,Taking care of your family is priority, there will be more contests to go to. here's wishing her a speedy recovery! 

[Lynn Weedman]

Steve:

Schooner's is my favorite for seafood in St. Augustine.  They routinely have people driving in from the surrounding towns just for their food.  They are located on US1 right on the north edge of town.

OK, now I'm hungry.

Bill Hodges

Schooner's is good too, I've eaten there quite a few times.
Lynn Weedman

[Steve Fitton]

Schooner's is good too, I've eaten there quite a few times.
Lynn Weedman

Hey, is O'steens the place right before you get to the bridge of Lions?  Have they finally fixed the bridge?

[Lynn Weedman]

Hey, is O'steens the place right before you get to the bridge of Lions?  Have they finally fixed the bridge?

Yes it's on the east side of the bridge and construction has been completed.

[Phil Coopy]

Motorhome made it to KOI. Arrived this afternoon just in time to help put up the tents.  Gonna be coldddd tonight..glad this rig stays pretty warm. Good to see the gang and expecting many more to arrive tomorrow.  I need to get some practice in with the Gee Bee tomorrow.

Phil

[Bill Heher]

I made it back from Albuquerque, wife is almost over her cold, have a couple planes in flyable condition and a fresh gallon of fuel. Plan to leave Orlando mid-morning and hopefully get there in time for a couple practice flights.

This will be my 3rd contest in the lat 18 months, and my final time in Beginner. I just want to place 1 time when the outcome was not decided by who crashed and who didn't!

If I get trounced by a 10 year old it will make my day- and hopefully theirs! I just wanna fly and have some fun, oh yeah - and take my wife to one of those great seafood places everyone is talking about!

[Garf]

I'm sitting in my room at the Quality Inn wondering where everyone is. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[Bill Little]

Way to go young man.  There will alwaysbe contests down the road.  But there is only one Mother.  Glad the surgery went okay. 

Hi Doc,

Surgery went better than expected, recovery is going much worse than expected. 

I'm glad Aaron, and his family, could come by the hospital tonight, things were kinda bad........... well, really, pretty bad.........

Good luck to everyone who is at KOI, and I hope things go great for you all.

Bill

[john e. holliday]

Well I guess the hard part is the recovery.  Tell her to be easy on the nurses and the handsome young men.  Take care.  Maybe next year we all can be at the KOI.

[Russell Shaffer]

Bill, at my first contest I got beaten by a 10 year old girl and her brother.  I crashed and they didn't. By the way, they were David Fitzgerald's  very nice children.  You do know that you can jump into intermediate and just tell the judges in advance of your flight about any tricks you don't plan to fly?  That way you don't get penalized for leaving them out.  Just no points for the omitted  stunts. Have a great time.

[Robert Schroeder]

Big Bear,  Hope your wife gets better quickly.  Wife is doing well on her cataracts.  Last eye will be done Thursday.  She loves the way she can see out her right eye already.  A dozen sets of eyedrops every day.

Oh by the way as you found out, I didn't make it.  Plane was finished but unflown.  Couldn't get anyone to take care of wife's mother.  Maybe next year. 

Bob

[Bill Little]

Big Bear,  Hope your wife gets better quickly.  Wife is doing well on her cataracts.  Last eye will be done Thursday.  She loves the way she can see out her right eye already.  A dozen sets of eyedrops every day.

Oh by the way as you found out, I didn't make it.  Plane was finished but unflown.  Couldn't get anyone to take care of wife's mother.  Maybe next year. 

Bob

Thanks, Bob.  The Missus is coming slowly along.  But time is what's important in the healing process.   No rushing it!

Maybe we can ALL make it to KOI next year!

Big Bear