The President's Message

By Alan Resnick

We have hangers available!

OUR FLY-IN ON NOVEMBER 14^th WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

 With perfect weather and the participation of over 50 planes, the Flying Gator Runway Reopening Fly-In was amazing to see.  From trikes to a rare cabin Waco, we had a diverse assortment of aircraft come to the field.  We even had two helicopters flying in our events: a Hughes 300 and an R-22.  And, the success of the fly-in netted over $800 for Gator Field!

 Our thanks to EAA Leesburg chapter for serving up a great pancake breakfast!  They brought in there mobile kitchen and were in business in no time at all.

 The flying events started with the “bomb drop” at 10:30.  Neil Harris in a Buccaneer XA took first place and Jeff Abrams in the R-22 took second.  At the “Spot Landing” event Neil also took first and Phil Pike in a trike took second.  The “Waffle Catch” was great fun to watch with the pilot dropping a waffle ball at 200 feet and the friendly catcher on the field trying to catch and hold onto the waffle ball being dropped.  Scott Garrett in a Buccaneer XA took first place with Jack Lafferty catching and Howard Webb, also in an XA, got second with Tim Setter catching.  The final event was the “Dead Stick” landing and Howard Webb won first and Scott Garrett second.  With a cumulative point total of 24, Neil Harris won “Grand Champion.”  All the trophies were hand crafted by Cindy Butler and all first and second place winners and the Grand Champion received their rare works of art.  

 A special thanks goes Cindy Butler for coordinating the fly-in; Dale Cornelius for manning the gator grill; Vernon Peckham for announcing the events; and Janis Garrett for advertising the fly-in.

 A tremendous THANK YOU to all who have worked so hard to get the field into such great condition:  a very special mention to Dennis Day for rebuilding the Ford tractor and making it look like new and repairing the Massey with Brian Withrow’s help; to Howard Webb for building our field roller; to Fred Griffith, Mike West, Fran and Charles Cantrill, and Scott and Janis Garrett who have quietly WORKED long and hard to make Gator Field and the Florida Flying Gators a memorable experience!

Alan Resnick, Pres.

407-493-8597

Please remember - 1-800-WX BRIEF

Fly safe!