by ANN Correspondent Rob Milford

Through four long days and longer nights at the Wyndham-Anatole Hotel in Dallas, ANN tried talking with all 1,532 people at the ICAS convention. A few of the results:

Tom Weber, Aerobatic performer, Phoenix, AZ: “This was a pretty good show… not as frantic as last year. I’m hoping to do 18-20 shows next year…I think we’re still in a recovery following 9/11. As far as Dallas and this hotel…well, I don’t like $14 hamburgers and $4.50 for a bottle of water. It wasn’t very user friendly.”

Duane Carroll, TBM “Ida Red”: “Well, we didn’t sign any deal, but made a lot of good contacts…some good possibilities. Too much walking at this hotel, though… I’m not coming back.”

Lt. Gus Kaminski, Commander, USN “Leap Frogs”: “This was a good show… we’ll probably fill our entire schedule from here, and have that list out right after the first of the year. The 15 men on the team will cover between 30 and 40 shows this year, but that includes stadium jumps and other events, not just air shows.”

Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston, TX: “Ralph Royce is smiling, and when he’s happy… we’re happy! It was a fine show.”

Chip Lamb of the Trojan Phlyers: “This went extremely well. We made more contacts here than in the three previous years combined.  We did 10 shows in ’03, and we’re hoping to do 15 next season.”

Dale Coffey “Turbo Shark”: “Real good…booked quite a few shows.”

Eddie Lee, US Air Force Academy Parachute team: “We are set now for between 35 and 40 shows in 2004… a great response to help our recruiting efforts.”

Kirby Chambliss, National Aerobatic Champion: “We have 11 shows booked, and will firm up another half dozen in the next few weeks. I really like doing this show in ‘Vegas…looking forward to being back there next year.”

Debbie Gary, Friendswood, Texas: “I have been a member of ICAS for 29 years, and this was superb.  Such a good show, great hospitality…I got contracts, and I’m really excited about the “Women in Aviation” themed show for Dayton next July.” (ed note: It should be pointed out that Debbie twisted her right knee on Tuesday night, riding (or falling off) a mechanical bull in a bar. She spent 6 hours in the emergency room at Parkland Hospital, and was still smiling!)

Ray Kinney, Commemorative Air Force, P-40 and F4U Demo: “I’m not dissatisfied… we got a lot of exposure, and the business will starting coming in…”

Dale Worcester, Yankee Air Force, B-17 “Yankee Lady”: “This was a good show…got three appearances signed, and more coming, the MATS Connie is with us…they have contracts, too.”

Deb Kleen, Blue Sky Parabatics, Hamilton, MT: “This location in the back corner didn’t help any… we talked to fewer people this year…but we did make some contacts.”

Les Shockley, Jet truck driver, Dodge City, Kansas: “I think it was excellent. It was great having the truck right by the entrance. We had people waiting in line through most of the show. I have about 50 dates booked for both trucks right now. We’re even getting dates into 2005!”

FMI: www.airshows.org