Oshkosh was visited and for once not a lot to say about it, very little if anything new, of course it was a buzz with the release of Sport Pilot on the 35th anniversary of man Walking on the Moon. The pundits for and against seemed many so I asked when commentating “Hey Guys, you asked for it.  Now give It a Chance”!.

Nothing new to report, nothing I hadn’t seen before.  The Highlander from Just Aircraft that appeared at Arlington, sister ship to the Escapade, it has a longer wing, wider under carriage, larger tail was new to Oshkosh.

Only four powered parachute companies showed, Phoenix had a true single seater at the right price. But how about a jet engined powered parachute, yes now that’s been done. Powrachute From Kansas demonstrated one that has flown, but they did not let it fly there, they also had a Harley Davidson engined machine.

The Gestapo where very evident again, these are volunteers that are supposed to watch out for people smoking around aircraft  or anywhere, except the designated areas.  Commendable idea if they trained them first, and they did not get out of hand. I saw a fat bearded guy on a scooter pounce on several people who had just left the Ultralight café with a drink in their hand saying “ You're not allowed to put that on a wing” Dah.!

From Oshkosh I stayed with Jim and Debbie Stephenson  in Marshall Michigan,, waiting to do their  A.S.C. Nationals at Three Rivers. This is on Labor Day Weekend, and what was, the only competition and show that they never charged for anything,  they relied on donations only, well last year they went too far in the hole and the airport offered to put the event on. So they will charge for vendor space, entry, and camping. It will be interesting to see who turns up now.

Jim has a two place Ultralight, Quicksilver 582 Sport, and suggested we fly to The Barfing Dogs Fly In, at Niles Michigan, and on the return leave the Quickie Sport at Three Rivers.

What a day we left Marshal airport just after nine perfect weather and a great flight, navigation was a piece of cake as they a few years ago put in a new Gas line and we could follow the best part of the journey the scar on the landscape. The second half by map and dead reckoning, no GPS for these old veterans. Jim had a birthday the day before and is “getting on a bit” now. At the Fly In. Jim had the chance to compete in the fun and games, doing well in the torpedo run, and two other events ending up Grand Champion. Sure is difficult to live with those honors, and we only went for the grub.

My ole mate John Chapman was there with his Aeronica Champ my favorite airplane and took me up for a flight. Oh I would like one that’s for sure, and  it squeaks in for Sport Pilot Rules. Now you know what I want for Christmas.  Start saving.

I can see why the so called Snow birds go back to Michigan in the summer, so nice to get out of the Florida heat. Besides mowing lawns and redoing the garage work area to keep myself out of mischief, it has been a nice change, and I am ready to come home, leaving three more events to do for the year.