As The Annual Pilot Pilgrimage Ends, Just A Few Parting Thoughts.

By Tom Woodward

In no particular order here are a few thoughts about this years annual event called AirVenture.

This was the first year for the US Air Force Thunderbird demonstration team. They did not fail to excite and please the crowd. I have been in aviation since Mobey Dick was a minnow. I've seen most every flying act there is, was and has been but the Thunderbirds never fail to bring out the little kid in me. I watch as they fly by in formation, wishing that it was I sitting in that cockpit, flying right wing with my eyes glued to the right wing tip and helmet of my flight lead. I let out a little giggle thinking it's me approaching from the backside of the crowd at just under the speed of sound, hearing nothing in the cockpit but the rhythmic draw on my oxygen mask and the hum of the electronics, knowing that many in the crowd will be scared out of their pants as they first see me (or maybe never see me) and then feel the roar of my jet engine a few seconds later. If a team like that can excite an old dude like me you know that every little boy or girl who thinks about flying wants to be in the Thunderbirds. Just the name, "Thunderbirds" conjures up a mythical creature that is all-powerful and ready to pounce on its victim. Who wouldn't want to sign up for the Air Force when the proper age is reached. Let's hope that the lure of big money programming video games like the "World of Warcraft" doesn't distract them from becoming the next Thunderbird squadron leader.

In my late-inning wanderings I stopped by the Lost and Found for no other reason than to ask them 'What was the strangest thing that was lost and then found?'. I found out that someone had lost an eyeball! Yes it was returned, but one wonders how long it took the person to realize it was missing ...

Someone came by the lost and found to claim her little miniature 'something' dog which was in a carrier. Apparently this lady left 'FiFi' in the trust of her husband who got distracted and walked away. Hey it can happen when distracted by airplanes, right? Another nice fellow was kind enough to retrieve a wallet and turn it in. Nothing unusual about that but this one had been lost at the bottom of the porta-potty. Give that man a free ice cream cone, or something, for that effort.

A couple of years ago, chalets were perhaps one of the factors that provided the final push out the door for Rod Hightower. Last year the members were happy to see the air show without looking through the plastic curtains of the Chalets, but folks, they're making a comeback. One Chalet, sponsored by Shell was providing breakfast and lunch daily and dinner during the night air shows. They also provided a nice, unobstructed place to see the air shows. Even though the cost  was $125 per person, per day (ouch!), they apparently had no shortage of customers, and were sold out on several days. The promotional company that put on the affair told me they would love to have more tents.

EAA had their own Chalet for its Lifetime Members. The cost of entry was whatever it cost you to become a lifetime member, a number I think depends on your time left on this earth when you bought the membership. Snacks, drinks and free ice cream were a hit at the tent. A welcoming and dry place to watch the air show was a bonus. The door guardian, Bill Shay, a friendly chap and perfectly suited for the job, used a gentle hand in determining whose story was believable when he was told they forgot their badge. One child was allowed per adult, causing some to perhaps pick their favorite child (dad always liked you best!!). Kids who came in were seen walking out with four or five ice creams to become the coolest dude to their friends.

Well, that's it for this year. Let us know how you liked our coverage or what you would like us to cover next year. We're here to please you. Getting our aviation 'jollies' is just a bonus.

FMI: www.aero-news.net