Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Flight!
December was a month filled with aviation activity. We started with Toys 4 Tots at Oceano with perfect weather for the event. Anele made sure lunch was perfect and even ran out for more patties when a record number ordered lunch. A new friend, John, stepped in to run the grill. A local vet representing the US Marine Corps Reserves, Jim Pickens, was offered a plane ride. We sold more hamburgers than ever and made a little money for our scholarship fund. The rains came right as we finished cleaning up. Jolie did a spectacular job and provided lots of toys for local kids.
In the tower
Next was our annual Cookies-to-the-tower(and to ACI Jet, CalFire and the airport admin office). We met at the Spirit for coffee and cookie assembly. We sang carols and saw lots of happy faces as we delivered our treats. It is such a great way to say“Thank You” to our local support for keeping us safe and providing a great airport to fly out of.
99s at the Harris Ranch
After delivering cookies, we filled three aircraft with pilots and students and headed to Harris Ranch(3O8) for lunch. It required quite a bit of weather planning as the fog hung out in the central valley right up until our departure. The flight was exciting. Dave, Ruby’s dad, had been formation flying with our Bonanza/Mooney crew. So I got to lead a flight of two with Dave practicing station keeping in route. Our passengers got to see a formation flight close up. Janice flew her V-Tail, leaving after us so she, Elizabeth and Tish could watch a 2 ship element take off. Lunch was wonderful with nine 99s and guests.
As we close out the year and we prepare for 2019 filled with meetings and fly-outs and our October SW Section meeting, I will want to leave you with a little holiday cheer….
Christmas Poem Aviation Style
'Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp,
Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ.
The aircraft were fastened to tiedowns with care,
In hopes that come morning, they all would be there.
The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots,
With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots.
I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up,
And settled down comfortably, resting my butt.
When the radio lit up with noise and with chatter,
I turned up the scanner to see what was the matter.
A voice clearly heard over static and snow,
Called for clearance to land at the airport below.
He barked his transmission so lively and quick,
I'd have sworn that the call sign he used was"St. Nick";
I ran to the panel to turn up the lights,
The better to welcome this magical flight.
He called his position, no room for denial,
"St. Nicholas One, turnin' left onto final."
And what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer !
With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came,
As he passed all fixes, he called them by name:
"Now Ringo! Now Tolga! Now Trini and Bacun!
On Comet! On Cupid!" What pills was he takin'?
While controllers were sittin', and scratchin' their head,
They phoned to my office, and I heard it with dread,
The message they left was both urgent and dour:
"When Santa pulls in, have him please call the tower."
He landed like silk, with the sled runners sparking,
Then I heard"Left at Charlie," and"Taxi to parking."
Chairman’s Message