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Joe2The April program was a video on multiple airlines that served Catalina Island over the years, with an emphasis on the amphibians that are so fondly remembered. Thanks to a great editing job by Larry Chapman, it was a very topical presentation. Many in the audience had been unaware of Joe Cogan's role in the history of the island!

DSC 0425-5318-600-450-100-cFriday, May 11, more than forty DAFers descended on Paso Robles for a weekend of food and wine. After a lively cocktale hour at the hotel, the group broke up into more manageable parties to invade area restaurants. Police were on high alert, having been warned of the groups arrival, but no incidents were reported.

Saturday, we found our way to the Steinbeck Winery (some by more circuitus routes than others). After a little history lesson on the family and the vinyard, there was a tasting followed by formation flyovers by the intrepid Nanchang and Glasair team. When the smoke dissapated, we moved down to a shaded grove in the vinyards for a great catered lunch and more wine. Much merriment ensured. Saturday evening, the cocktale hour was much more subdued. In a shocking display, Joe Cogan was observed drinking a diet Coke! (The photo has been sold to TMZ, and should be spiking on the internet by now.) The group again divided up into smaller parties and headed to dinner, switching restaurants to avoid being eighty-sixed.

Sunday, after a leisurely morning, the group returned to Torrance. Thanks to Wayne Grau for his efforts arranging the trip.

IMG 0101-5073-800-600-100On Saturday, March 14 about DAF thirty members arrived at KCNO to enjoy two legendary aviation attractions, Flo’s Airport Café and Yanks Air Museum. After an easy flight, most of us “tailed it in” along the fence at Yanks which is located on the NW corner of the airport. The Haralambos needed a slightly more capacious spot nearby.

We all walked up to Flo’s for some fine dining, or at least acceptable lunches. If you haven’t been to Flo’s for about twenty or thirty years, some things never change. Then we divided into two groups and headed back to the museum where two docents lead us on personalized tours of this amazing collection.

The museum, restoration hangar, boneyard and a Constellation AWACS were all open to us. However, there were slight differences in the experiences of the two groups. The first one got to ride on the Airplane Merry Go-Round (videos on website for evidence). The second got to meet the owner of the museum and hear a fascinating presentation from him.

All headed home after a covering as much ground in the museum as the GPS direct route to KCNO, and it is reported that many enjoyed adult beverages upon arrival at KTOA. Probably in several locations!

DAFers were treated to a night of special aviation history as Steve and Patrice Demory presented the illustrious career of Professor Thaddeus Lowe, American Civil War aeronaut, scientist and inventor.  Dressed in period costumes and presenting through the characters of Prof. Lowe and his actress wife Leontine, Steve and Patrice described how balloons were first used by the Union as reconnaissance and communication platforms.  Prof. Lowe's achievements were not confined to the war years, however, as he had a second career as a very succesful inventor (a novel hydrogen-enriched gas process) and built a scenic railway and resort in the San Gabriel mountains (we all felt a little less special after hearing about all of the exploits of this remarkable self-taught man).  As an added bonus to the night, the great-great grandson of Thaddeus Lowe, Lance Ferm, was also present at the meeting and had a very nice display of Lowe-family artifacts and materials.  

BFH0192a 13The February meeting had slightly lower attendance than Jaunuary, as some of our members had departed early for the Mexico trip. However, it was still an enthusiastic crowd for our speaker, Bern Heimos. Bern's photos and video from his cross-country trips in a 1939 Piper Cub were amazing, inspiring many people to reconsider their quest for speed and think rather about Low and Slow. Peter Broen was caught contemplating selling the Glasair  and buying a Kit Fos. The moment quickly passed. 

IMG 0865-4895-800-600-10038 DAFers, including a contingent from Santa Rosa, descended on Loreto for the February Fly-In and Whale Watch. "Aircraft needing a margharita, say your location" was the call from the tower, and the response was immediate, although paperwork on landing was a little slow.

Saturday morning, after a sunrise breakfast and a van ride across the peninsula, we boarded our boats at Magdalena Lagoon. THe weather was perfect, not too hot but with plenty of sunshine. Whales were not only watched, but petted and given belly rubs. Up close and personal was the phrase of the day.

The hotel, with it's sunrise view across the gulf, was excellent and the bar well stocked with tequila. Aside from the brisk competition for the Bonehead award, it was a fantastic trip and a great time. Thanks to Dave Weir for arranging everything.