Vern's Bit Apr-Mary 2003

April & May 2003

Well, Sun 'N Fun is over for another year. So what did I make of it all? Firstly, I was very disappointed that the New Tower was not ready for me. with yet another week in the hot sun and wind I could have really done without. However, they say whoever does the job next year will have it made. So where are the Ultralights? Paradise City apart from The New Kolb Company there weren't any, so we have Powered Parachutes. Paragliders, Trikes with boat hulls Trikes and those Plastic things that flood out of the Czech Republic as fast as they can make them.

No. I'm not knocking them. They are just not my cup of tea. and if I was a general aviator they are a great savings. Why would you buy a Rolex when a Timex will do the same job. All in all the crowd was bigger than last year watching the flying and they stayed longer and what seemed to hold the interest was Paragliders and even got some applause on a great landing. But I do not think we had the volume overall. Not surprising when they want Thirty Bucks admission I did not see many Gators' Rex Hewitt became a volunteer and worked his "patooty" off, which was a great help to me, bless his cotton socks'

The vendors were very much happier this year. For years they have had to put up with raising prices and domination. Well, this year he did not turn up and it was a different world for them This was helpful 'cause there were not a lot of sales On yes. 1 have been saying it for quite a while but all my traveling has to stop, with very little help everybody has tried but when sale's are rough no way can they give it away and I am getting on a bit A couple of times I have had a rude awakening This year it was Mark Bierle as he flew in all the way from St Margarita. California, in his Odyssey I could remember everything except the name of the company. Earthstar eluded me two hours. Dave Piper has asked me to keep an, open mind seeing it's almost on my doorstep and he does bend to please me but he already has volunteers for the job. I had three inquiries up on the tower by guys who thought they would be good at it and in each case the second question was, "How much do you earn?" and then they left. Thirteen years on the job and never a mention in the program, the only place that happens is Sun 'N Fun. Don t you just hate being ignored or not being appreciated by the people who are paid to run the show?

This year I did have three presentations. which was a very nice surprise, the first one was by Bill Fortney his wonderful book America From 500 Feet, which I shall treasure. and his very kind words of praise. On Saturday evening, at the Volunteers Party. Dave Piper presented me a twenty-year award., which read: "April 5th 1983-2003 By The Volunteers of Paradise City. In appreciation of twenty years services of accomplishments to our world of Ultralights and aviation. Your love and kindness to our sport has given us much joy when you were present. You will always be remembered as our distinguished American Commentator with a British Accent."

Then on the tower John Ballantyne and Tim Kern presented the sole Annie Award for Sun 'N Fun from Aero News Network which puts me in the league with BOB HOOVER It will cost you four pence to speak to me now' I've hit the big time. I am very pleased that Jim Campbell, a very old friend over many years at different venue's. has always stopped by and had a chat and offered help. Very nice to have such friends who hold you in high esteem recognizing what you have tried to do for everybody without favoritism and I am pretty proud I did just that. The Grand Champions at Sun 'N Fun for the Ultralights section was a Kolb Firefly. The Paint Job was worth $15,000. the Plane $10,000. The Reserve Champion was a Paraski TopGun Powered Parachute.