Friday, October 31, 2008
To Iola on Halloween
Halloween was a beautiful day to fly with much warmer than normal temperatures in the upper 60s, a clear sky, and light winds. I wasn't the only one who thought today was a great day for the Friday lunch in Iola. I went with a student and saw lots of people I know. Over 50 aircraft showed up, which is more than usual! The menu this week was a picnic lunch of grilled hamburgers and brats, which fit well with the weather. A lot of us sat outside to eat, trying to enjoy this weather while it lasts. Winter isn't far away!
Even Rudder the dog was enjoying the sun.
Labels: Iola
Friday, October 17, 2008
My New Old Ride
The Friday lunch menu at Iola today was a Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner. I spent a lot of time talking to a gentleman who was at Pearl Harbor and learned to fly later in life. We had a good conversation. I highly recommend talking to strangers at this airport.
This was the plane's first flight after maintenance and a lot of sitting. I had never flown it, so I only half-trusted it... and that half was coming from having Jim, its mechanic and owner in the left seat next to me. But the plane behaved itself and won me over. It's in really nice shape. I flew the plane a bit but left most of the work to the student pilot onboard.
My ride was a 1960 Cessna 172B, several letters back in the alphabet from the L-and-up models I'm used to (1971+). To me, all the differences add up make this plane seem like it should be called a Not-Quite-172. This one may be red and white like the one I usually fly, but a glance at the straight back and a look inside will tell you it's much earlier in the lineage.
After Iola, we flew to Clintonville and then back to Brennand. Later in the day we went up again for a couple more takeoffs and landings. The weather was turning sour so we had to put our toy away early. We'll be flying it a lot more.
Labels: Iola
Friday, October 10, 2008
Fall Colors
The fall colors are here! I went to lunch at Iola with two students, and later went on a flight from Brennand to Wautoma to Waupaca and back with Todd in his Ercoupe.
The aerial pictures from Iola back to Brennand were taken by Chris Turke. Thanks Chris!
Labels: Iola
Friday, October 3, 2008
Watertown Breakfast & Iola Lunch
Two out of three meals today were airport-related. I rode to Watertown in Ted's Archer for breakfast, then I flew a brand new student to Iola for their weekly Friday lunch. I could have gone three-for-three but my last student and I had too much work to do. Here are some pictures from the Watertown trip.
Labels: Iola
Friday, August 15, 2008
Busy Iola Friday Lunch
I convinced our mechanic Jim to fly into Iola with me today for the weekly Friday lunch. We took a 172 and he flew the whole way there and back, including the takeoffs and landings. Central County Airport was unusually packed because the weather was so good. We practically had to park in the next county. But the folks in charge over there planned ahead well, and they had enough food for all of us even though the line seemed to go out the hangar to oblivion. It was a fun time as always.
Labels: Iola
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Stars Align for Iola Lunch
Somehow I have not managed to go to Central County Airport in Iola, WI for the weekly Friday lunch yet this year until today. Well finally the weather cooperated, I had a student, we had enough time to do this, and did I mention the weather finally cooperated?
We arrived right at noon, after most people were already standing in line. Good thing I managed a nice landing in front of the audience.
There were about 25 aircraft total. There's always a nice fly-in crowd on a good day like this. The menu was a turkey dinner. Seemed weird to be eating that on a hot summer day but Bill's cooking is always good. My student Terry was in heaven looking at all the planes and meeting other pilots.
I've got several new students who haven't yet experienced the Iola Friday lunch so I'll definitely return ASAP.
Labels: Iola
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