We gotta fly first!

From: Tony Texeira tonytex@cox.net

From: "tonytex" <tonytex@cox.net>

Subject: HESPERIA UPDATE #2

Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 20:13:21 -0800

Hi Guys,

Six of eight planes that planned to make the Hesperia (L26) Fly-In on Sun, Nov 23 made it with eleven people.

Flying from Gillespie Airport was Bret Strain and Mike Nelson in a C-172; Jeff Cary and Jerry Jackson in a C-172; and Bob Werve, Mike Kinney and Mike Smith in a C-337. Flying from Brown Airport was Dennis in an RV-3. Flying from Montgomery Airport was Mike Gretton in a C-172 and in another C172 was Jim Newport and me.

Two planes cancelled due to forecast of high winds and severe turbulence below 12,000'. I can't blame them because FSS's forecast was for extremely bumpy flying and if it had been as forecast, it wouldn't have been fun. But six planes jumped up into the air to "stick our toe in the water" to see if it was as bad as forecast. If it was, our alternate would have been French Valley. Fortunately it wasn't as bad as forecast. As often is the case, FSS is forecasts on the pessimistic side to play it safe. There was a considerable amount of haze in the San Diego area due to a slight Santa Ana blowing dust and ash from the fires to the East and the visibility wasn't the greatest.

But after leaving the San Diego area, the visibility increased dramatically. You could see forever and the air was smooth until we got to the mountain ridges on the north of the San Bernardino Valley. Here we ran into some light chop and some 1500' up and down drafts. Jeff Cary and Bob Werve who took off first and were able to give us a PiRep on 123.45 so we were expecting some bumps at the ridge.

But once clear of that mountain ridge it was smooth downhill ride into Hesperia. At Hesperia Airport the winds were out of the Northwest at 6-7 kts and there was a little turbulence on final to runway three. Other than that, it was a great flight.

The people at Barnstormer restaurant were expecting us and we had a table for twelve (as requested) in the corner of the restaurant so we could have breakfast and solve the world's problems and the decide on the next Fly-In. Bret Strain did the picture taking honors at breakfast. He'll send them to Chris Claborne, our webmaster, who'll put them on out website shortly.

In spite of the 2-3 phone calls I received earlier this month from pilots not wanting a December Fly-In, at breakfast we decided we will have a Fly-In next month. It will be on Sunday, December 14th and the destination will be Rosamond L00. This place has a terrific breakfast. The last few times I was there, the food was terrific. You can order from the menu or the buffet, have eggs flipped or flopped to your liking at the buffet, or have a combination of both.

We also decided in advance that the January Fly-In will be on Sunday the 11th. No specific destination was decided on, except it will probably be in the desert.

We left Hesperia for San Diego around 1115. Again the weather was smooth with the exception of a few bumps and couple sharp jars crossing the same mountain ridge.

A great time with a good bunch of aviators. You got to make the next one.

Best of clear skies and tailwinds.

Tony Tex

http://www.cyberthought.com/tonytex/

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