The Walnut Ridge Clinic Our fifth formation flight training clinic in preparation for the 2009 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival on July 25th concluded successfully on June 6th at Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (KARG) in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Craig Chipley, our Lead Pilot for our three previous mass arrivals was responsible for planning and putting together this clinic. Great job Craig!
The lead pilot for the clinic was none other than our Director of Training and Operations, Rodney Swanson.
Rodney was assisted by Craig Chipley and Richard Bowden, veterans of three mass arrivals. Six pilots trained in this clinic and became ready to fly the mass arrival. Congratulations to Doug Bush and Jim Johnson from the host state of Arkansas, Richard Bowden, Gregg Haas and Les Kuhns from Kansas, Mr. Pierce from Florida, Craig Chipley from Missouri and our Director of Training and Operations, Rodney Swanson from Alabama. Great job guys!
The Port Huron Clinic Our sixth training clinic in preparation for our arrival concluded successfully at St. Clair County International Airport (KPHN) in Port Huron, Michigan this June 13th.
Nine pilots participated in this clinic and were signed off to fly the mass arrival on July 25th. Dan Unger did a marvelous job and was very satisfied with the performance of each pilot. Dan was assisted by three veterans of previous Cessnas 2 Oshkosh arrivals: James Andres, Gil Velez and our host Phil Gilbert.
The weather held out after the early morning threat of rain showers and an overcast cloud cover. The ambiance in the airport was uplifting. The local EAA Chapter held a hearty pancake breakfast followed by Young Eagles Day while we huddled in Phil Gilbert's beautiful hangar.
There were two practice flights that went on very smoothly. Each pilot had an opportunity to practice the lead and wing positions and all the moves required to fly a safe mass arrival in July. Congratulations to John and Susan Hughes, Jim Blackman, James Andres, John Benson, Bolb Ahern, Bill Stofer, Gil Velez and Phil Gilbert! Our most sincere thanks to Dan Unger and Phil Gilbert.
|
|
The Pirep is the official newsletter of Cessnas 2 Oshkosh. It is a vehicle to keep all the participants in the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2009 Mass Arrival and our friends informed about the progress on our way to Oshkosh. In 2009, it will be published on the fifteenth of each month. Additional issues will be published if the need arises.
|
Progress Report
|
To date, there are forty-nine (49) aircraft registered to fly the mass arrival. Nineteen (19) states and three (3) Canadian provinces are represented. California leads with thirteen (13) aircraft. Michigan comes in second with four (4) aircraft, Kansas, New Jersey and Washington are tied in third with three (3) aircraft each. Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas are tiend in fourth with two (2) aircraft each. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario trail with one (1) aircraft each.
The Skylane (C182) leads the models with seventeen (17) aircraft, followed in second by the Skyhawk (C172) with fourteen (14), in third the Centurion (C210) with eight (8) aircraft, in fourth is the Skywagon (C180/185) with six (6) aircraft and trailing in fifth are the Stationair (C205/206/207) and the C310 with two (2) each.
These results so far, continue to please us considering the current economic situation. We encourage those debating whether or not to go to Oshkosh this year, to make your plans now. It is going to be a good year. Other airshows and aviation events have beat the pessimistic forecasts in the first half of this year.
Come celebrate with your family, relatives and friends!
|
|