Sun-n-Fun?
With the new Tuesday through Monday schedule, flying to the South's largest Fly-In is easier and safer than in the past.  Unfortunately, as this is being written, Charlotte  is covered with gloomy, cold rain. John Wigney and Dick Healy planned to depart Monday morning in John's Europa. But John's IFR rating is still in the works. Hopefully, the weather will improve by Wednesday.  See http://www1.faa.gov/fsdo/orl/snfland/arrivalphotos/index.htm  for arrival procedures.
Its not too late to drive: Driving to Lakeland is about 580 miles - 9 hours from Charlotte. Since Lakeland is about half way between Orlando and Tampa, there are many motels with rooms available that are within driving distance of the airshow - many without a reservation.

While practicing auto rotations during a military night training exercise a Huey Cobra screwed up the landing and landed on the tail rotor. The landing was
so hard that it broke off the tail boom. However, the chopper fortunately remained upright on its skids,sliding down the runway doing "360's".

As the Cobra slid past the tower, trailing a brilliant shower of sparks, this was the radio exchange that took place...

Tower: "Sir, do you need any assistance?!"

Cobra: "I don't know, Tower, we ain't done crashin' yet."

March Project Meeting:
The first person showed up about 6:45 and the last one left around 9:30. Unfortunately I was so busy answering questions I didn't get a chance to pick up the camera and snap pictures. Based on those two things, I would say it was an informative

evening for those who stopped by.
At the time of the visit, the empennage was completed with the HS hanging from the ceiling along with one elevator. The other elevator with the trim tab attached was on display as was the VS and rudder. The left wing was on jig with only a few rivets and the "J" cannel stiffener waiting to be riveted in place on the top skin. The leading edge was riveted in place and the fuel tank was bolted on and holding air as noted by the birthday balloon attached to the vent fitting. The leading edge for the right wing was assembled and out for all to look over. My Lycoming O-290 was also pushed out into the middle of the floor so everyone could get a good look at it.
There were many comments from those who worked on the club's RV-6A and others building RV-4's & -6's regarding the quality of the pre-punched kits. I heard a few comments about cheating and that I must have purchased a quick build kit. I don't know about the cheating part but even with all the pre-punched holes, there is still plenty to do. I can only imagine what the QB kits must be like

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