Vern's Bit Mar 2003

March 2003

It has not been a month with a lot of flying weather, but some things have gotten done in spite. Fred Griffith has gotten on well with Peter's old S X that had been badly damaged in an accident and with expert fiberglass work it is going to be better than new. I have been able to get the golf cart repainted ready for Sun 'N Fun. They will give me a cart but take it away when I am working and its never there when I want it. So a bright yellow one with decals will be my transport this year and I will try not to seize it up as happened last year.

Support for my appeal for old planes has provided nothing firm as yet, so looks to be a dud. Guess I was not surprised by the lack of interest. Sun 'N Fun may have blown its fuse for appeal. We will see by the crowds this year. Being new, Wednesday to Wednesday might also make a difference, so I am a little apprehensive as to it being as special as I wanted it to be. Oh, how I would like to jolt some return of the old spirit what used to be in the days of Del Belflower who was Chairman of Paradise City, and the camaraderie when the Florida Flying Gators built the Announcers Tower 1993. They were wonderful days.

The FAA is looking to putting the weight up on Part 103. Yeah, right, then everybody pays an exception. Leave it be, it is the only one in the world and no one needs to mess with it, period. They promised they would not touch it.

Charles Cantrill has his B Model 582 Buccaneer up for sale, as he is going into the real estate business. Well, he and Fran are buying their first home for themselves and their ready made family, two Australian Sugar Gliders, Smokey the cat and Bandit the dog.

John Gruener's plane is just waiting for an engine. It looks great. My greatest wish is that he can get something going for April; it would please a lot of folks. JOHN, I'll beg if you want me to!

I talked to John Tesinsky who owns the A Model Cobra 1983 in the original everything and John still is to be found early mornings flying around. I can't get up and out of bed before the streets are aired, but he is up there flying when no on is around. Hank Zacharias used to be a partner but owing to ill health he sold his share to John. I hope I can get John to bring this plane to Sun 'N Fun.

Fred Griffith had an encounter with a six-foot snake up in the workshop, the snake lost!

Jack Levering has bought a hanger and was last seen moving in a sleep-able couch, What's he done, Kay?