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NORDO News
CONVENTIONAL News for Unconventional People
September 2005
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those devasted by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Rich & Ginger Davidson
Sinful Sunday this Sunday. . .
This Sunday (September 11) is our last Sinful Sunday of the year. Several months ago, Ginger entered a contest to win a neighborhood ice cream party from Edy’s Ice Cream and won. Therefore, this Sinful Sunday will be sponsored by Edy’s Ice Cream and all the tasty treats will be made with their slow churned ice cream that has “half the fat and 1/3 lower calories.” We have 12 half gallon cartons of this great stuff sitting in our freezer and we hope to put it to good use.
What does Jet fuel have to do with flying a champ?
Why should you be concerned about the recent addition of a highway tax on jet fuel? Well, the authorities believe highway operators are buying jet fuel because it is cheaper than diesel (no hwy tax) and they are trying to recover the taxes lost by those purchases for highway use. Although this provision could have far-reaching negative impacts on the general aviation industry, it raises another question that we haven't heard anyone ask. . .
"How much revenue is the aviation fund (Airway and Airport Trust Fund) loosing every year when pilots buy auto gas for their aircraft?"
The Airway and Airport Trust Fund provides funding for the federal commitment of the nation’s aviation system through several aviation related excise taxes. One of the sources of funding comes from the taxes on avgas. Since many general aviation aircraft have STC's to use auto fuel, (and many pilots choose to use auto fuel - especially during times of volatile fuel prices like we are currently experiencing), we want to know what percentage they are taking out of the highway taxes and giving back to the aviation fund????????????
EAA Board Position
Since so many people have inquired about the EAA board position, we decided we should include a brief blurb about it. First of all, it is heartwarming to know many of you actually thought I had a chance. Although I knew from day one I was but a snowball in hell, I chose to see the process as a learning opportunity and was prepared to do the job if most of the other candidates had been wiped out in a freak accident. But, since a Bonanza only holds a few people, I knew the chances of that were slim.
Ultimately I learned a lot about EAA through the process. Most of it, you don’t want to hear, and the rest you already knew. I appreciate everyone’s support and thank you for your efforts. It is unwise to expect a group, any group, to be your salvation in times of doubt or trouble. You should always take on as much as you can yourself if you want things changed. Unfortunately, we are all to willing to believe “our group,” whoever it is, will take care of us. I suggest you start making your feelings known. (rld)
We are putting the final touches on the Time Pieces franchise location in Ft. Myers, Florida. This location should sell out fairly quickly as it has already generated a lot of interest. If you a would like the opportunity to participate in the fractional ownership of a Super Cub - email Glenn at number5@IFlyTimePieces.com
Airport Zoning Approval
With some help from several of our "airport family members" and friends, we recently secured the appropriate local zoning for the runway extension and airport expansion. The new zoning is for all associated airport operations and among many things it will enable us to improve safety, build hangars, provide fuel and offer maintenance and aircraft restoration. This was an important step in the future of the airport and we want to thank everyone for their support.
We also want to send a special thanks to Michael Vonic who came to the rescue with some wonderful survey maps and CAD drawings. Michael is always here during the fly-in with his family in their silver and yellow Navion. If you get a chance, be sure to thank him for being on our side.
GRASS ROOTS SUPPORTERS
The number of Official Lee Bottom Flying Field Grass Roots Supporters continues to grow. So many people have stepped up to offer contributions for the reseeding project that we are now only 19 seed bags away from our original goal and think that we might even surpass it. If you are interested in grabbing a bag, you can sign up for it on our website’s homepage.
If you have already contributed, we have sections of the seed bags framed and you will be able to pick them up during the fly-in. Once the event is over, anyone who wasn’t here to personally pick it up will get theirs in the mail. We want to thank everyone for the continued support.
Click Here to see the GRASS ROOTS SUPPORTERS
Wood, Fabric, & Tailwheels Fly-In 
Plans are under way for this year’s fly-in. Please place Saturday, September 24th on your calendars and note that the 25th is the rain date. With that said we should define “rain date.” Here at Lee Bottom we believe rain dates are backups for rainy days. A rainy day is one that has a hundred foot ceiling for 90% of the day, a constant downpour for at least 90% of the day, and conditions so bad you couldn’t make a trip around the pattern. A rainy day is not a day with five clouds, morning fog, rain in the next state, or a green spot on The Weather Channel’s forecast map. “VFR not recommended” is also not considered a rainy day. If there is any doubt in your mind, check the website to see if it is considered a “Lee Bottom Raindate” .
Now that we are all clear on that we will cover a few other things. Anyone who believes, wants to be, or at any moment in their life ever thought they were Sean Tucker should stay away. That’s right, we have no interest in some self absorbed someone breaking the rules, showing off, and or being a safety hazard to anyone in the area.
Next, those of you who truly love aviation should go out of your way to get here. You won’t be disappointed and you are sure to make many new friends.
Notice - A detailed fly-in update email will go out prior to the event. Please be on the lookout for it as it will include all the important details.
Website: www.LeeBottom.com
| The Top Gun logo is a Trademark of the Paramount Pictures Corporation |
If you asked 10 pilots to name their favorite movie, all 10 of them would say "Top Gun". Maybe it's because "We have the need. The need for speed"; or because we have all had the thought of requesting the tower for a "fly by" but have known the answer will be "negative ghostrider, the pattern is full" but just once, we'd like to do it anyway; or because we know "she's lost that loving feeling" and just hate it when that happens.
To our friends in Ontario, Canada, who had a little fun testing out some new video equipment, it means "the best of the best" with the speed of a champ, off a grass field, and over the scenic countryside near Bushhawk Creek, Ontario on the "highway to the danger zone".
This video flick is of L. J. Lee's Aeronca L-16A at and over Bushhawk Creek, Ontario, Canada: video produced by Darryl Lahteenmaa of London, Canada. We enjoyed it and thought you would too.
It's an 18 meg download, so don't try it on dialup...
Cabin listed on Ebay for Fly-In
Since we could not figure out a good way to decide who would be able to utilize the camping cabin for the dates of the fly-in, we have listed it on Ebay.
This approach seemed like the most impartial way of accomplishing the task. By strange coincidence, it also requires the least amount of thinking on our part.
The item number is 5614214345 and your auction bid is for both Friday and Saturday nights. The auction will end on Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 @ 11:18:56 PDT. This should be plenty of time so that those that do not win can make alternate plans. If you happen to win the auction and already have room accommodations in town, please let us know before you cancel your reservations - there might be others that can use your room.
EAA Sport Aviation
If you get EAA's Sport Aviation Magazine you will see Rich on this months cover flying Mike Williams’ Tiger Moth. The shoot was done over a year ago during Oshkosh. Although you can’t tell it, the other person in the plane was Fern Villeneuve. A regular visitor to Lee Bottom, Fern shared the flying duties for the photo shoot as the photographer wanted shots of us flying it with the instrument hood closed.
A special thanks goes out to those that sponsored our 2005 fly-in. With our 2005 sponsorship money, we have been able to purchase a new food tent. If you've ever been around for the day when the old tent was erected, you'll see why this new one is a great addition. We ask that you support these sponsors as they have helped to promote General Aviation and the 2005 Wood, Fabric, & Tailwheels Fly-in.
2005 Fly-In sponsors:
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Looking ahead a year, 2006 will be the 10 year anniversary for the Wood, Fabric, and Tailwheels Fly-In. We will soon be looking for sponsors for this event. As our appreciation of your sponsorship, you receive at least 1 free advertisement in NORDO News (which has over 3000+ aviation nuts subscribed) and links on our Lee Bottom Website. Ask us how you can become a sponsor:
email: INFO@LEEBOTTOM.COM
Ten classic American aircraft from the 1930's, '40s and '50s have taken to the skies in the form of postage stamps.
The stamp images depict:
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You can purchase these stamps at your local Post Office, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store on www.usps.com/shop
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Lee Bottom Flying Field
Identifier: 64I
7296 S. River Bottom Rd.
Hanover, IN 47243
812-866-3211
Time Pieces
7296 S. River Bottom Rd.
Hanover, IN 47243
317-501-2773