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Five airplanes and a Ford truck made the trek down to San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico November 10-13, landing at nearby Guaymas Airport.  Actually, eight of us ventured down a bit earlier to get the party started! The fun included swimming, boating, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, jacuzziing, billiards, BBQ, fire pit and shopping not to mention lots of eating and drinking margaritas). Tom made sure the pool temp was 90 degrees so there was no hesitation on jumping into the pool!  Two of our group hiked all the way to the top of Tetakawi Mountain.  Wow, that was impressive Anne and Laurice!  While activities were available, there were downtime opportunities in the afternoons for some just hanging out at the pool. We enjoyed “toes in the sand” dining at Sunsets Restaurant at sunset on Algodones Beach, with lovely live music.

Ten of the group stayed at Tom and Patti LaGrelius’ home and four stayed at the nearby home of fellow DAFers Mario and Victoria Lopez.  We ran around town in the LaGrelius’ SUV (and golf cart) and the Lopez’ truck, no hotels or taxis needed!

So another successful Mexico adventure is on the books for the Del Amo Flyers….and hopefully more to follow!!  Thank you to Tom and Patti for organizing the trip plus kudos to Mario and Victoria who were quite helpful with the lodging and logistics!


Our DAF September fly-in was to McMinnville, Oregon on September 13-15th. The weather was spectacular for the trip and while a couple of our scheduled aircraft couldn’t make it due to crew illness, we still had four aircraft and eight DAFers make the mission. Our group of DAF Flyers met up on Friday evening for our traditional “post-flight” happy hour social on the rooftop bar of the historical McMenamins Hotel. There was something for everyone on Saturday of the fly-in when the guys went to the Evergreen Air and Space Museum to see the Spruce Goose and the ladies went to the Salem Art Fair. Afterwards, we all met to taste wine at a beautiful outdoor wine venue followed by dinner at the Golden Valley Brewery and Restaurant. Some aircraft departed on Sunday but a couple of DAF crews stayed behind to enjoy the great weather and wonderful Pinot Noirs of the region. We all had a great time!


15 DAFers ventured to Santa Ynez for the Old Santa Ynez Rodeo and wine tasting on June 21-23 - mostly by airplane but a few by car.  Friday evening started with our traditional happy hour social at the Royal Copenhagen Inn‘s Secret Garden. Thank you, Larry, for discovering the secret place. Our group dinner was enjoyed by all at Leonardo’s Cucina Italian Restaurant in Solvang. 

On Saturday our group had a picnic at the Gainey Winery under the shade of old California Oak trees and views of the vineyard and hills, while enjoying delicious sandwiches from the El Rancho Market Place Deli in Solvang.  In the afternoon, some members explored Solvang and wine tasted, while others went to watch the Santa Ynez Rodeo.  TOA Tiger Squadron opened the rodeo with a formation fly over.  Everyone was enjoying our Saturday evening happy hour so much that we ended up ordering pizza and salad and closed out the night at the Secret Garden. 

On Sunday, a few DAFers continued to explore the Santa Ynez/Solvang area including the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art Solvang which displays the history of the Solvang area and was free. Another wonderful DAF fly-in in the books.

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Our DAF group met at the GAC at 10am as the morning marine layer was just starting to break up. The weather forecast for late afternoon was calling for a potential early return of the marine layer which caused a couple of the VFR pilots to cancel out on the mission, but the IFR aircraft/pilots continued. Weather forecast was clear and sunny at our lunch destination so we had four airplanes with eight DAFers on board head to New Cuyama. 


It was a spectacular day there and our lunch fly-in coincided with an annual New Cuyama Blue Sky fly-in and wine tasting over the weekend. So, there were plenty of airplanes and helicopters on the ground there.

Amazing Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

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Del Amo Flyers finally were able to complete the fly-in to Albuquerque and attend the amazing International Balloon Fiesta. The DAFers arrived in Albuquerque in eight private planes and a few commercial flights for a total of twenty-one people. After arriving on Friday, we were hosted by Palmer’s sons-in-law at his brewery in downtown Albuquerque, Boese Brothers Brewery. Here we were all intrigued by the tour of the brewery and knowledge of the brewing and distilling processes.


Early, very early, Saturday morning we all boarded the buses to the Balloon Fiesta.
The pre- dawn and morning were filled with amazing sights.

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Craig & Co

On August 26 the Del Amo Flyers met for our annual Hangar Potluck. DAF Board members and volunteers set up the hangar on Saturday morning, the caterer arrived on time, and the weather was perfect for an indoor/outdoor event.

Sixty four DAFers and friends helped make the event a success. Craig Ekberg graciously opened up his hangar again to host our event. You couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for our annual summer social!

This year we kept the event simple with potluck appetizers and dessert and The Original Taco Man Tacos. The event was a chance to enjoy the company of fellow DAFers and a chance to meet several new members. On Sunday the DAF crew returned Craig's hangar to normal navigation, hearded the tables and chairs back to the Western Museum of Flight, and began planning for next year. See you then!

Taco Man