Slipstream August 2022

The happy Lompoc-fly-out crew (Grace with Therese and Maggie) back in Grace’s hangar in KSBP

The mission of The Ninety-Nines is to promote the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and shared passion for flight.

Fly-Out Report: Whiteman Airport Open House - 75 Years Celebration (6/25)

By Elizabeth Dinan

We published many more photos for this fly-out in last month’s issue →link: see here

I flew to Whiteman Airport's 75th Anniversary with Janice and Dana which was great flight and it brought back many wonderful memories. I went for my first flight there when I was just 7. Later when I received my private license I at 18, I worked at Coffin Flight School in the office for Hank Coffin. Of course the school is no longer there, but I had many wonderful flights in different aircraft. It seemed like many of these aircraft were still there and flying. Enough history.

User-uploaded image: IMG_1669+Lizs+daughter+and+family+met+us+at+Whiteman.jpg

Elizabeth’s daughter Maya and family met us at Whiteman Airport

It was a great day and Jolie posted some of the aircraft pictures of the planes I used to fly. It was also special because my daughter and family came and my grandson was able to sit in one of the jet cockpits. Also several of San Fernando Valley 99s that I have known for some time when I was a member of SFV 99 were there at the 99 booth. My friend Melinda that I taught to fly and did a lot of air racing was there.

The airport was well attended with residents of the area which was good because they saw all the advantages of having the airport in their neighborhood as there has been some talk of closing of Whiteman. There were food vendors and others selling things. I talked to the Girl Scouts leader and some EAA young eagles. It was a wonderful day.

Fly-Out Report: Lompoc Piper Cub Fly-In (7/9)

Text and photos by Grace Crittenden

The West Coast Cub Fly-in is scheduled for the first Saturday after the Fourth of July, so we decided to join the fun. Typical July morning fog cleared out in time for an 1100 departure. The fog held on at the coast and was just reaching Vandenberg when we entered right traffic for Lompoc. Therese Theiler was in the right seat and Maggie Temler was sitting in the back with my regular passenger, Kay [the dog]. We could see lots of yellow Cubs parked in the transient parking. The wind was picking up already but straight down the runway.

30 Cubs flew in

Susan and Ed’s Mooney Mite

We were hungry by the time we had parked the plane on the south side of the runway and walked across the field at the approach end of 25. We headed right for the barbecue. They were offering hot dogs and hamburgers. I enjoyed my hot dog and the chef gave Kay a hamburger (without the bun) that she thoroughly enjoyed. Quite a few people were eating at the tables in the hangar out of the wind. The Cubweiser stand was not very busy midday but probably would pick up at the evening activities and tri-tip barbecue.

Yum!

Susan and Ed Mandibles have their hangar at Lompoc and had invited us to stop by. Susan is getting around now with just a cane and had a crowd at the hangar when we arrived. Ed was happy to tell us about the power glider he has built. Currently it is using a gas engine, and he is hoping to convert it to electric. Amazingly, with the glider hanging from the ceiling, they can fit their Tri-Pacer and Mooney Mite in the one T hangar.

Susan and Ed’s hangar with Ed’s motor glider

About 30 Cubs had flown in for the 3 day event and were lined up for display. 24 had signed up for the flour bombing contest and short field landing competition scheduled for after lunch.

Too much fog cancelled the usual sight-seeing flight to Point Conception. One after another the Cubs took off to drop their two flagged bombs. It was quite remarkable how slow the planes could fly over the target. The winds of 15 knots helped with the ground speed but complicated the drift as the bags fell to the ground. After dropping the first bag, they would zoom off to circle back for their second try and then zoom around again to come in for the short landing.

Too bad we could not stick around to see who won but it was time to head back. The fog was still hugging the coast as far as Pismo but clear at Avila. Another wonderful day of flying on the Central Coast!