By the way, Margy didn't mention it, but one of the stipulations of
being "on exhibit" is that you gotta stand around and talk about
your aircraft (which is not a problem for most aircraft owners).

That was a wonderful experience for us. Mary and I put together a map
of the US, showing all of our far-flung cross-country flights, and
propped it up against the nosewheel pant. The four of us then just
stood there (like museum exhibits!) and greeted folks as they streamed
past.

Some of the comments and attitudes were priceless! More than one
person stared at us with that distant, disinterested look that one
gets after seeing too many museum exhibits. They would then stop,
look puzzled for a moment at Atlas, and then back at us. Then they
would see the map, showing Iowa as our home...

You could really see the gears turning, as they digested the fact that
we had flown into Dulles International in a vehicle no bigger than
their minivan. More than one person blurted out "You and your family
flew here from Iowa in *that*?"

It was a fantastic opportunity to show the general public that general
aviation is more than just flight for life helicopters and businessmen
jetting off to Aspen. I think we may have ignited a few imaginations
that day in folks who simply had never been exposed to GA.

One thing I observed and Jay and others who were there can also say,
unlike some disaster public fly-ins (the Dulles Special Olympics
Plane Pull event for instance), the public is REALY REALY well
behaved at these.

Yep, it's a great crowd. Almost too timid, really -- but that's
better than the alternative.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"