2016 Fall Flying Festival

The annual Fall Flying Festival at Chester County Airport was yesterday. We had postponed it from last weekend due to poor weather. This weekend was again forecast to have poor weather, but they went ahead with it anyway. I got to the airport at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday to help set up and, as forecast, it looked pretty grim.

My hangar neighbor and I taxi up to the show in the fog

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Here is a shot of the Velocity on display. Due to the conditions, no one could fly in, so we had less than 10 aircraft on display. There was still a car show, balloon demo, monster truck rides, music and food. Surprisingly, lots of people showed up.

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Here are some shots of some of the other displays and activities which were less effected by the weather.

Stubby the Helicopter

Local fire department

Civil Air Patrol

Early arrivals for the car show and the balloon setting up

Kids were allowed to run around inside the balloon. They loved it.

The Monster Truck guys setting up. Another kid favorite.

Airport fire/rescue truck demo

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Lots of our friends and neighbors stopped by. Many of them have had rides already. A few had never seen it up close before. (all had seen it going over their houses at some point) It was great to see them there.

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At least 100 kids sat in the plane this year. There was actually a line to get to the plane. Once again, very sticky and grabby, but also very excited and enthusiastic about aviation. Encouraging that interest is something I think we pilots have an obligation to do.

 Here are pictures of just a few of them.

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I was even interviewed by a TV crew about the many great advantages of the Velocity.

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This was supposed to be an air show, so when the clouds went up a bit, we pushed my plane out. It was a little sketchy and I was the only aircraft to go up, but we put on a good show in the Velocity.

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I went up and did 3 low passes and pull ups for the crowd. The ceiling was juuuuust high enough.

Here are some pictures. Thanks to Nancy for the photography.

Takeoff with gear going up

Wing waggle for the crowd

Climbout

First pass

Approaching show center, then......

Pull up and climb

Staying close and low in haze on downwind

Short final

Taxi back

Back at show center

All done

Student pilot Vincent got quite a ride. He loved it.

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Here's a quick video of the takeoff taken by my friend, Leif.

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The Civil Air Patrol kids came over to get their picture with the Velocity. I had them turn around and got one too.

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By about 2:30 it started to rain, so I pulled the plane back to the hangar. I got stuck behind the Monster truck and had to go find them.  I was soaking wet and tired by then.

Monster truck on taxiway. Wet pilot view.

N929X tucked safely back in hangar for next adventure.

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I had a fun day even in the rain. My airport has a great bunch of pilots and it was fun socializing with them and showing each other our planes and hangars.  I hope next year brings better weather.


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