Weather Clears for Apple Valley
March 12, 2011. Mary Falstrom selected the Skidmark Restaurant at Apple Valley for our March fly-in. It seemed we may have used up our "good luck flying weather" when we meet at the General Aviation building on Saturday morning. As we sat and considered our options, the weather improved to an 1800' ceiling with 3000' reported tops and forecast to clear in the afternoon. 24 folks from TOA in 8 planes decided to go. We were meet by Sid and Joan who flew up from San Diego. Unfortunately Larry and Jodie found they had a dead battery, so the two of them along with Mitch and Jan didn't make it. In the end 22 Del Amo Flyers in 8 planes put the Skidmark Restaurant to the test. The food was good but their little 2' by 2' grill was clearly overwhelmed. After lunch we packed back into our trusty steeds and headed for home. Peter and Liz left first and I was surprised to find him doing the overhead approach just in front of me at Torrance, I thought WOW, this old Bonanza still has it! Later on I found out they'd stopped for fuel on the way home. Oh well! ...Wayne
Thank you Mary for a great fly-in!
Flying Idaho's Back Country
The February program consisted of a video presented by our program chairman, Dave Weir, titled Flying Idaho's Back Country Air Strips. The video showed the areas from the air, approaches and landing at several of the more interesting and accessible strips, and the ground accommodations including several with lodges and guest facilities.
It was nostalgic for some and daunting for others. A great program Dave, thanks.
Borrego Springs Lunch
February 12, 2011. 14 airplanes and 28 happy souls met at the General Aviation Center for a quick briefing and we were off for Borrego Springs. We were greeted that morning with wonderful weather. Everyone enjoyed a smooth flight and great scenery.
I had been asked by a number of folks if the restaurant was still open. Well, we are all here to tell you "yes it is" Not only is it open, they have some really good food as well as a menu that goes way beyond what you'd expect for an airport restaurant, let alone one out in the middle of the desert.
After lunch we all headed back to TOA in time to stop by and say hello to Rodger who was celebrating his 100th Birthday. Way to go Rodger.
Thank you Wyn for putting on such a great event and especially for the nice weather.
Look forward to seeing everyone March 12th for the Apple Valley fly-in.
...Wayne
Stacy and Lisa - In Vino Veritas
The January program featured DAFers Stacy Moulton and Lisa Hahn. The girls presented a slide show of their trip to Italy last year - most of the pictures included one or more glasses of wine all complemented with background sound of great Italian music. Great job. Thanks. In vino veritas!
Fate Tempted - Outcome OK
January 15, 2011. After many years of bus tours in fine VFR weather the Del Amo Flyers tested fate and planned a fly-in in January. Considering the never ending rains that we had in December, as the date neared at least one of us was beginning to worry.
Ah, but worry not, Saturday morning we were meet with 200 mile visibility. You could nearly see the runway at Chiriaco Summit from the GAC building.
There was a great turnout with 13 planes, 1 car and 30 SOB's turning up at Chiriaco Summit for a visit to General Patton's museum. For those that have been there before, they knew what to expect, for those that hadn't, this was a wonderfully new experience. The museum has an array of exhibits from WWI through the Afghanistan war as well as the temporary exhibits.
After our tour of the museum and the outdoor tank exhibit we wandered over to the restaurant for lunch and then back to the airport (100yards) for our departure to TOA. ATC had a number of comments wondering what could have brought this many planes from Torrance to Chiriaco, wish I'd have thought to tell them it was a scavenger hunt.
...Wayne