.Well, it was Friday the 13th, but still a fun day. We passed through our credentials check...after Sue found her current medical. On to airplane inspections, and the Slowdowner got a high pass after we resolved the question of the landing vs. taxi lights. Since Sue is a daytime VFR pilot, these lights don't get used often. So it was a lesson in toggle switchery - down, taxi lights; up, landing lights. Yep, we are always learning new things about our planes...all the time.
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| Sue's Sundowner sunning itself just below our hotel window |
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| Our friend, Elaine Stook's cool 1950s Cessna on the hotel ramp |
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| A pretty perky Flower Power plane on the ramp |
It is always fun to reconnect with returning racers each year and to meet the newbies. There is always a bit of drama as the last teams arrive fighting weather and mechanical issues to make the sign-in deadline...everyone rooting and cheering them in.
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| An Aviatt Husky - my favorite balloon tundra tires... |
As the day winds down, its time for a walk around the ramp with all the planes cleaned, waxed and numbered. Fifty planes registered to race, and just a couple missed the party.
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| Our volunteer inspectors hanging out waiting to get some planes to inspect. |
The mood begins to shift from party to race mode, as we all get ready to focus on the race briefings Saturday and Sunday.
A couple of old friends from my days at UCLA happen to live in the area. So it was a real treat to take a stroll around the planes with them to talk about this crazy passion for flying and air racing that I have developed. We enjoy a nice dinner to catch up a bit.
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