Arlington Flyin & BAC Type Club tent

Day four:

Boy it is beautiful. Blus skies (perfect for the smoke systems and the aerobatic shows), warm temps, and large crowds. Many have commented on never realizing that BAC existed. Several Baby Beech owners have expressed interest in joining, but as of yet, none have. Lots of literature went out, including handouts of our benefits, vendor discounts, and technical support system. For what it's worth, Everyone is impressed with their handouts of the recent (and current) BACTalk magazine, so it is definitely worth using in our membership drive.

The members that have shown up are:
  • Thom Smith- Union Or
  • Marty Vanover- Phoenix Az
  • Chris Linderman- Salt Lake City Ut
  • John & Judy Radysh- Quesnel British Colombia (with 15 others)
  • Jack & Robin Becker - Orcas Island Wa
  • Ben Auker & Heather - Bend Or
  • Mark & Dawn Hoskins - Marysville Wa (area)
  • Dan Imbeau- Linden Wa
  • Edward Moore and wife - BC
  • John & Donna Higenbottam- Boundry Bay, BC

Lots of fun so far, and I will hate to see it end, hope to leave in front of the storm forecast for tomorrow night. One night we all sat up to 11pm drinking the great wine that the staff here at Arlington gave us, and exchanging stories, ideas, experiences and such. Of course Ben cleaned the area of all the Ranier!
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Great time for all. I know we always talk about the comraderie and technical support we have in BAC, but really..... What a great bunch of people! Many friends made, and I hope to stay in touch with every one I have met here! Thanx BAC!!

So, my guess is that this will become a yearly Northwest event. Hopefully bigger and better as we go on.
 
Day four UPDATE

What a treat!
John & Judy Radysh invited all present to a "Pot luck" dinner, and it was better than anything you could have paid for. John made some awesome pork steaks on the BBQ, there was chicken, burgers, salad(s), treats,(wine ... beer), too much to mention. But the dozen or so that traveled down from British Colombia really rolled out the red carpet for us. As we all watched the solid 5 second separated departures of vintage, antique, and experimental aircraft , all of us saying is that Ben? (departing) ..... after some 30 minutes of identifying and admiring the departing aircraft.... Ben and Heather walked up to the party having experienced a malfunction at "run-up", and a taxi back and long walk. The local (to the Canuk group) A&P fixed the problem asap, and so Ben & Heather can't depart until tomorrow (so sad)! So it was another great gathering, of great people.

The "Canuk" group reserves the same spots every year, so it is sure to be a fun time next year as well.

Midnight here, so more tomorrow!!
 
Day Five:


Boy, I am tired, been some long days, but quite enjoyable with all the members "hanging out"...but a bad day for a VFR pilot to try to leave. So, Ben Auker and Heather, myself, Marty, and even Mark Hoskins (lives 5 miles away) had to leave their planes on the flight line and wait and see what tomorrow brings. Mark and Dawn are giving Ben & Heather a room so they don't have to endure the rain and lightning in their tent, I still have my room for two more nights, Marty is staying with a friend, so at least we all have accommodations.

Had two visitors say they would join up soon, but not today. Lots of interest was shown even on a rainy blustry day. So the Arlington EAA/BAC event was a sure success, if even for the exposure we received.

I will be posting some actual pictures of the LED strobe/position lights we have been discussing as soon as I can.... perhaps tonight. I am tired, and on short final for my motel bed...................................
 
Day Six:

All over, one more group dinner at the Skagit River Brewery, bed only to awake to the weather ....un-cooperative.... but Marty, me and Ben & Heather made a flight of three (wow was that cool ... nice pics to follow!) all the way to Kelso Longview at 1500' under the scud. GREAT scenery, and at Kelso I found a hole - got on top of a 6500' layer and headed east. I saw 135-145kts the whole way. From KKLS to KLGD took 57 minutes, not counting letdown. Marty continued to McMinnville and spent the night, and Ben and Heather stopped in Kelso for lunch/dinner, and then continued on to Bend. They just called.... they are home safe. So the flight home was as memorable as the week in Arlington.

Tired, and I'm on short final to bed. Cya
 
As Thom said we made it home safe. Took off after a pit stop in Kelso and climbed up over the BKN layer to sunshine at last. Direct to Sunriver, I love flyin on top of the clouds. Especially when there are holes to identify landmarks. It was clear by the time we crossed the Cascades. Great flight. I especially enjoyed burning all that avgas to (attempt) to keep up with a Sierra and a Super in my Sport. It did good though, no one needed their flaps... :D My first exposure to a flight of three was great. Thanks Marty and Thom for a fun flight.

Arlington was a great trip. Flying, camping on the airfield, getting to know some great people, learning about your airplane, I'll be back next year for sure. There's no experience like it.

A special thanks to Mark and Dawn Hoskins for putting us up when the weather went south. Mark drove us around the Frontier Airpark where they live. A different slant on an airpark than I've seen before. Some houses were a mile or more from the runway. They had taxiways along the roads to the runway. Wouldn't it be cool to taxi down the street from your hangar on your property. Thanks Mark and Dawn. We sure had fun.

Ben
 
Hey Ben....

It was great to meet all of you and I'm glad you and Heather had a nice time up here. You're very welcome! I'm happy we could help you guys out when the weather went south..... I hope you can make it up here again next year and maybe the last day here will be a bit nicer....

Mark Hoskins
 
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