Dispatches from Mexico

Newly-licensed pilot Taylor Wolfbrandt and Liz Broen man person the door. January's dinner meeting program featured our own Joe Cogan, who gave a photo presentation of his extended trip to Mexico last November with the Ekbergs and Fords. Joe covered takeoffs and landings in Mazatlan, San Miguel de Allende, Zihuatenejo, Ixtapa and Puerto Valarta. However, most of the pictures seemed to involve people sitting and drinking tequila. January's dinner was also the first occasion for new board members Lori Delane (Decorations) and Anne O'Brien (Photographer) to perform their official duties. Congratulations to Lori and Anne, and thanks to Joe for an intoxicating presentation.

 

Del Amo Flyers Annual Holiday Party

Del Amo Flyers held their first holiday party at our new venue, the Palos Verdes Golf Club, on December 4.  Over 50 DAFers dressed in their holiday finest attended.  It was a great chance for everyone to mingle with each other one last time in 2012.  The dance floor stayed crowded to the music of the DAF house band, The Time Machine.  As in prior years, President Joe Cogan announced the 2013 Board of Directors - with only two positions changing from 2012: Lori Delane taking over Decorations from Mary Falstrom, and Anne O'Brien replacing Jodie Chapman as club Photographer.  Mary and Jodie were thanked for their contributions and given gifts. All in all, it was a great night that capped off a very fun year for the club.

 

 

November Dinner Meeting

During the Del Amo Flyers last regular dinner meeting of the year, Mitch Taylor (substituting for still-in-Mexico Joe Cogan) presented the Wings Award was presented to Stacy Moulton and Chuck Livergood for helping to promote general aviation at TOA by hosting a weekly getogether at their hangar on Sunday afternoons.  Congratulations, Chuck and Stacy.

Our speaker for the evening was Dan Delane, who presented an excellent program on his personal experiences flying F-15's in the Aggressor Squadron in Operation Red Flag at Nellis AFB, and subsequently in the Georgia Air National Guard.  Dan's presentation included some vintage video of him flying in the Guard, as well as swilling champagne with his fellow pilots in front of their F-15 squadron (it was not made clear whether this was a pre or post flight ritual).  More photos here.

Alamos, Mexico

The DAF's first trip to Alamos, Mexico was a great success with 25 people attending in 10 planes.  The border crossing was mostly uneventful (except for one ill-fated pair of passengers temporarily abandoned in Calexico) and most of us arrived in Alamos on Wedneday afternoon (Nov. 7). The Cogan's and Ekberg's had flown in the day before and greeted us along with Jim Swickard, owner of Hacienda de los Santos. Refreshments were served on the tarmac (including some very potent Margaritas) as we waited for all of the planes to come in. Jim offered us the use of his beautiful hangar and all 10 aircraft managed to squeeze in.

I think I can speak for everyone who had not stayed previously at the Hacienda de los Santos in saying that it greatly exceeded all of our expectations (which were already pretty high based upon Joe and Craig's descriptions). The rooms were incredible, the grounds were stunning, and the staff could not be more accommodating. After checking in, we all gathered at Zapata's Cantina for drinks and appetizers, where Jim Swickard presented each of the pilots who had flown in an official "Club Pilotes of Mexico" ballcap. We then moved to the terrace for a great dinner, and were entertained by both a talented guitarist/singer as well as special music by the group "La Estudiantina". (Click "Read More" below for a full trip report).

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Healdsburg Fly-In

Once again, Dave Weir planned a fabulous fly-in to Healdsburg. It was a perfect weekend for 6 planes to fly up to Sonoma County with 5 landing in Santa Rosa, 1 in Healdsburg and we also had 1 car drive up from Torrance. The weather was slightly cool, the leaves were starting to turn into their fall colors and the wine tasting was great.

The fun started at the happy hour on Friday night and then the group split into two separate groups for dinner in downtown Healdsburg. The next day it was off to wine tasting at various wineries and then a group wine tasting and lunch at the Hanna Winery. Dave had suggested that everyone pick up a box lunch at the Jimtown Store and the lunches were enjoyed by all. After another happy hour on Saturday night , Dave arranged a dinner for the entire group of 14 at the Bear Republic Brewery where we were able to enjoy good beer, wine and food.

This was not the first time Dave has taken us to Healdsburg and hopefully it won't be the last. Thank you again Dave and Earline for a great weekend.

Peter (and Liz), Fly-In Chairman

October Dinner Meeting

A fair number of DAFers dressed up for October's dinner meeting - with costumes ranging from the "tried and true" to the politically incorrect.  Prizes were awarded to Mary Falstrom and Joe Cogan for best costumes.  The night's scheduled speaker unfortunately had to cancel because of personal reasons, but Mitch had a Plan B and presented a video featuring an ultralight expedition over Africa.