Yesterday was one of those glorious early spring days that can only
happen in the Midwest. The air was crisp and dry, so that when you
stood in the sun you were warm, but a step into the shade required a
sweater. The wind sock was just flopping around, the horizon was razor
sharp, and the pattern was full all day long.

It was into this perfect atmosphere that the Hampton Aviation
Association -- a group of some 25 pilots and enthusiasts -- descended
upon Iowa City and the Inn.

Led by a dentist (who owns *the* 1936 Stinson 8E that Hallmark used as
the model for their 2002 Aviation Christmas Ornament), this bunch of
pilots and enthusiasts evolved from the group that used to organize the
annual Hampton Air Show. Even though the air show is long defunct, each
year they all try to travel as a group to an interesting new locale,
and since they had heard about us through last year's AOPA article,
this year it was our turn.

So, just like *that*, they booked the whole hotel!

It was a day spent absolutely immersed in aviation. After an hour or
so of hangar lying, er, flying, I shuttled half the group headed over
to the University of Iowa's Boeing 737 simulator, where groups of four
were able to see the latest in "Highway in the Sky" technology. The
other half -- most of the wives -- headed off to the nearby Amana
Colonies for a day of shopping.

After proving that it IS possible to crash a 737, the group shuffled
across the tarmac to Don Gurnett's hangar. Don, a hangar neighbor of
mine, was kind enough to give the group an impromptu tour of his
gorgeous North American AT-6, and another hanger mate, Justin
Fishbaugh, showed off his just-completed (first flight: Next week!)
Glasair III. Ten years in the building, it's an exquisite work of art.

After five solid hours of aviating (without ever leaving the ground!),
the whole gang reunited for dinner at Iowa City's premier microbrewery,
the Old Capitol Brewery. Their fabulous beer, brewed in tiny batches,
flowed freely, and a great time was had by all.

(And, as a very pleasant surprise, Mike Shelly -- of this very
newsgroup -- popped in unexpectedly to share dinner with us!)

Whenever I lay awake at nights, questioning the sanity of buying an old
hotel to turn into a fly-in aviation destination, I only need to remind
myself of days like these -- 12 solid hours spent talking, living,
breathing this thing we all love, aviation.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"