What it's all about

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"

You realize, that WILL be deducted from your time in paradise!

denny

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...
(And, as a very pleasant surprise, Mike Shelly -- of this very
newsgroup -- popped in unexpectedly to share dinner with us!)

Nice to meet you Jay... Nice restaurant... Good beer... All in all, a really
nice evening... Up to the point where I caught them trying to steal my
truck... Is this a scam that they try to run on all the people with out of
state plates on their vehicles?

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.

Hey Jay, is that simulator open to the public, or did the group arrange
for a special tour? Does the U of Iowa have a relationship with
Boeing?

Brian

Nice to meet you Jay... Nice restaurant... Good beer... All in all, a
really
nice evening...

Same here!

Up to the point where I caught them trying to steal my
truck... Is this a scam that they try to run on all the people with
out of
state plates on their vehicles?

Nah -- only when I need some cash. (When we turn in guys with out of
state plates, we get to split the fine with the tow truck driver!)

:-)

Hey, if you're free on any Wed/Thu, give me a buzz. That's our
"weekend", and we can stay out later than 8:30! :-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Nah, it's not open to the public -- you've got to "know" someone.
(Although the guy in charge of the thing has now asked that I limit the
weekend tours, as it's hard for his people to come in on their off
time...)

The sim really isn't about Boeing, it's about situational awareness and
development of the new "Highway in the Sky" technology. It's a lot of
fun, very cool, and very educational.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Nice to see another Iowan! I myself was flying for nearly 4 hours
yesterday. Had a friend, and then all my kids taking turns flying.
(46IA and IKV)

I was a great day! Much better than Friday, which was rougher than heck
when I was up.

Jason Dodd
PPSEL IA
Colo, Ia



Jay Honeck wrote:
Nah, it's not open to the public -- you've got to "know" someone.
(Although the guy in charge of the thing has now asked that I limit the
weekend tours, as it's hard for his people to come in on their off
time...)

The sim really isn't about Boeing, it's about situational awareness and
development of the new "Highway in the Sky" technology. It's a lot of
fun, very cool, and very educational.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
Nah -- only when I need some cash. (When we turn in guys with out of
state plates, we get to split the fine with the tow truck driver!)

Well, it's a nice little scam they got there... If they hadn't given it back
to me at that time, the incident would have escalated... I was rather ****ed
at that point... Back in Texas, they've been shot for that type of crap and
it was perfectly legal...

Hey, if you're free on any Wed/Thu, give me a buzz. That's our
"weekend", and we can stay out later than 8:30! :-)

Can't make any plans right now... I'll have to wait and see how this next
week goes...

I'm off to the CID airport to arrange a flight to New Orleans in a couple of
weeks... I'll be headed down to the gun range near Swisher afterwards... I
need to go blow up some things to relieve some stress... You were wondering
where it was last night... Here's the directions...

Take I-380 to exit 10... Head west on that road (CR F12 / 120th St, NW)
until you get to the stop sign (approx 0.4 miles)... There is a gas station
on your left... Take a left there and head south on IA-965 approximately 2.4
miles until you get to Cou Falls Rd... If you cross the Iowa River, you've
gone too far... Take a right on Cou Falls Road... After about 0.25 miles,
the you will come to a "Y" in the road... Stay to the left... You will cross
a small bridge and the road will become a dirt road... After about a mile,
you'll see some large gashes cut into the side of a hill on your right...
The first one appears to be for handguns and smaller caliber rifles... The
latter one with the concrete conduit shooting positions appears to be for
higher powered rifles... Another mile or two down the road will get you to
an area on your left where people shoot clays / skeet...

(who owns *the* 1936 Stinson 8E that Hallmark used as
the model for their 2002 Aviation Christmas Ornament),

....a copy of which happens to be sitting right next to my computer here in
London as I read this. My mother gave me the ornament that year and I've
liked it so much I've never put it away! Interesting connection...

Sounds like you're enjoying the risk you took in venturing out into the
business beyond. I'm considering a job change into a new field and as a
freelancer. Feeling those same pangs of risk but hoping in a year I'm
enjoying some of the benefits as much as you seem to, Jay.

Thanks for sharing and I hope it always goes as well for you!

Shawn
"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...
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"

In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" said:
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.

Whereas I'm stuck in Ottawa with a AIRMET for icing covering my entire
route home. And I forgot to bring any work so I can't even bill any hours
while I'm waiting for the rain and snow to clear.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Endless Loop: n., see Loop, Endless.
Loop, Endless: n., see Endless Loop.
-- Random Shack Data Processing Dictionary