Happy Bottoms!
The January dinner meeting's presentation featured a documentary which chronicled the thrilling life and extraordinary times of aviation pioneer Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes, an accomplished pilot and entrepreneur of the early 20th Century. In the 1920s and 30s, Barnes broke Amelia Earhart's air-speed record and became Hollywood's top woman stunt pilot. In the 1940s and 50s, she owned and operated the famous "Happy Bottom Riding Club", a fly-in resort located near Edwards Air Force Base and immortalized in the book and film "The Right Stuff." The award winning documentary gave great insight into the life of one of the most colorful and accomplished women pilots of the early 20th Century. Thanks to Larry Chapman for editing and setting up the program.
Showtime!
The first fly-in or rather drive-in of 2015 was a lot of fun! Good thing we did a drive-in because the weather was overcast and rainy. We had a great turn out with about 50 DAFers going to see the movie "Unbroken" and 37 dining at the Red Onion. The movie was really hard to watch but I think we all were glad we saw it. There is absolutely no doubt that Louis Zamperini was a hero. The Mexican dinner was very good and I think we all had a great time. Thanks for coming! Liz and Peter
2014 Holiday Party
The Annual Holiday Party was a great success, with over 60 people attending. The DAF house band, The Time Machine Band, provided an assortment of tunes that got the DAFers out on the floor, and the PV Golf Club was a perfect venue. It was fun to see friends dressed up for the occasion, and made for a wonderful end to another year of comaraderie.
The Streak Continues
November's program crowned the winner of this year's Mystery Fly-In. There was some suspense, along with a fair amount of misdirection and obfuscation, but in the end the award went (again) to Larry and Jodie Chapman. Larry's protest of one particularly convoluted question was cut off when it was pointed out that the winner of any protest has to write the test next year! Thanks to the Mystery Fly-in Committee for coming up with a quiz that even Google couldn't provide all the answers to.
(The photo's from last year... they "forgot" to bring the trophy back this time. Talk about confidence!)
Mystery Solved!
The Mystery Fly-in came off without a hitch as about 26 DAFers in 9 planes made the trip to Perris for lunch. After answering the critical questions on the quiz correctly in order to find out the destination, they dodged parachute jumpers and jump planes to get to the Bomb Shelter Cafe for an excellent lunch. There was one go-around in deference to a jump plane asserting local right-of-way, but otherwise we were welcomed in, and had a great view the the jumpers landing right across the runway. The weather cooperated by breaking up just in time for our departure. All in all, another fine trip.
Thanks to the Mystery Committee for creating the quiz and setting up the trip. Volunteers are always welcome to help organize fly-ins, and ideas for future fly-ins are always welcome. Don't hesitate to contact any member of the board.
2015 Fly-in Preview
The DAF Board has started planning the 2015 fly-ins, and it's going to be another great year. Here's a preview to start your planning. Dates and more information will follow as they are finalized.
January 10th: Dinner and a Movie! If you haven't seen the movie about Louie Zamperini's life, "Unbroken", join us for a movie and dinner. Restaurant and theater locations to follow.
February 21: Lunch fly-in to the historic Mission Inn in Riverside. Link to the Inn's website here.
March 21: Santa Ynez lunch trip with catered BBQ.
May 16: Big Bear for a lunch fly-in. Details to come.
June 5-7: Taos, New Mexico. A picturesque town of historic buildings, museums, art galleries, and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. A weekend trip, and probably worth an extra day or two as well! Sign up now.
July 11: The annual Flaming Brisket Fly-in to Agua Dulce. Bring your appetite and a side. Mitch will be bringing plenty of slow smoked beef brisket.
August 15: The DAF Annual Hangar Party, so no fly-in. Plenty of fun though, so don't miss it.
October 16-18: Columbia, CA for a weekend fly-in. Once again, camping on the field, with a hotel for those who'd rather have modern amenities.
November 7: The Mystery Fly-in returns. Still trying to figure it out!
December: No fly-in, the Christmas Party will be the place to be.