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Event Report
Event Reports - Sun 'N Fun 2007
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Monday, April 23
Final Day
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Sun 'N Fun 2007
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Created:
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04/23/2007
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Updated:
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05/03/2007
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Link(s):
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N/A
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Article by Mike Whaley
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As expected, Monday was a very, very light day for visitors... there was probably not more than 500 attendees on the grounds the whole day. Our tent only had about 4 or 5 visitors before noon (although we did sell some more shoes) and even that was more than many other vendors saw. Mondays are generally known as "Vendor Appreciation Day" because all the exhibitors take the time to visit with other vendors and check out the stuff that they missed when the place was busy with attendees. Less than ten homebuilts were still in the homebuilt parking area, so seeing airplanes was basically pointless unless they were located in a vendor display area. About noon, everyone begins to break down their displays. With the help of our crew from Melbourne (aka the Cavalry), we were able to get our entire display (including a large, heavy wooden floor, two large tents, and everything else in the display area as well as all the stuff from the campsite) loaded into the truck and get on the road before sunset. As we all drove home, we were dog-tired but we were also satisfied with the knowledge that it was a good show. We did more business than ever before, and some of our vendor friends said that they did very well this year as well.
It is nice to see all the positive energy and good attitudes pervading the world of aviation, especially at a time when General Aviation is in a fight for it's very existence against the FAA's scheme to institute user fees... something that has absolutely destroyed recreational aviation throughout the world in every place they have been instituted. We didn't hear of anyone who had anything good to say about the FAA's funding proposal, and a great many folks feel that this was a huge stab in the back of the very folks the FAA is supposed to be watching out for. The FAA's positive attitude and help in getting the SP/LSA rules established just a short time ago makes the current proposal sting even more, as it would clearly kill off exactly the kind of flying that Sport Pilot is starting to rejuvenate. However, with the growing strength of general aviation and GA's far-reaching impact on so many areas of our nation and it's economy, and the fact that AOPA is one of the most powerful and effective lobbying groups in Washington history, it looks likely that general aviation can be saved from the FAA... but we still can't assume it's a done deal.
Regardless of your level of involvement in aviation, whether you're a high-time pilot, a manufacturer, a student, or just an airplane enthusiast, we encourage you to take a serious interest in the current situation and do something to help stop the current user fee proposal... the AOPA has a lot of info about this topic. Remember, there's a reason that general aviation thrives in the USA in a way unlike anywhere else in the world... and we're one of the few places left in the world where every takeoff, landing, flight plan, missed approach, and call to ATC doesn't cost a small fortune. Contrary to what the current FAA leadership would have us believe, just because everyone else does it doesn't mean it's a good idea!
On to happier thoughts... Oshkosh is not far away, and it looks like it's gonna be a really great time. EAA will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the USAF with some great displays like the F-22 and a U-2, and we suspect that more great stuff will be announced soon. See you there!
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John made up a great little display board for some of our Pitts products.
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Ethan likes to help out too!
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The tent is down, now for the most "fun" part of the whole process... taking up that big old floor!
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The beginning of the end (OK, maybe about 1/4 of the way through to the end)... the floor has been lifted up and put on the truck.
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With the end of the show, we were able to roll Mike Marrin's Skybolt out into the sunshine. What a beautiful airplane!
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Mike's plane is a first-class job throughout. For some reason, the paperwork seems to have gotten lost and never arrived in the hands of the homebuilt aircraft judging team, so they never looked at it to judge it for any awards. That's a real pity... in our opinion, the craftsmanship and overall quality of Mike's plane was on a par with other aircraft that were judged and won awards.
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Mike covered his gear legs with fiberglass, which should help prevent damage.
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Very clean workmanship throughout.
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The cabane fairing is done cleanly.
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Mike installed a large window in the bottom of his fuselage.
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Mike's plane being pushed to the departure area so it can be fueled up before the short trip home to St. Petersburg.
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The Sportster is a really pretty airplane.
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This Tango is a serious cross-country cruising machine.
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Dave Vargesko's Wagabond is a fellow Space Coast aircraft.
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The Monday airshow is short and usually features lesser-known performers (many of whom will be the big names in the future) but is always worth watching.
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Other entries in this series:
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Sunday, April 15
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April
15,
2007
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Monday, April 16
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April
16,
2007
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Tuesday, April 17
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April
17,
2007
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Wednesday, April 18
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April
18,
2007
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Thursday, April 19
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April
19,
2007
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Friday, April 20
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April
20,
2007
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Saturday, April 21 (Part 1)
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April
21,
2007
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Saturday, April 21 (Part 2)
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April
21,
2007
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Sunday, April 22
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April
22,
2007
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» Monday, April 23
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April
23,
2007
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Wednesday, April 25
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April
25,
2007
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If you have any additions or corrections to this item, please let us know.
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