07/08/02 Busy Friday, New Airplane - Friday, July 5th was about three times as busy as usual at Pioneer Airport. We had 243 visitors-- So many that we even pulled out the Ford Tri-Motor and filled it twice! This weekend a new airplane arrived at Pioneer. It's a New Standard biplane on loan from the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome museum. We'll be selling rides in it at Pioneer and at AirVenture near the Ford Tri-Motor operations area.

07/09/02 Instant Gratification - I like my new digital camera. It's great to see my pictures the same day I take them. I used to have one until I left it in an airplane last year. Finally I can take pictures like a maniac again... I was out shooting a few this morning. Here is the beautiful Stinson Reliant at Pioneer Airport. Normally we sell rides in this plane but it's currently not on flying status.

07/10/02 Ride in the New Standard - I got a ride in the very rare New Standard biplane today at Pioneer Airport. It's a big five-seat open-cockpit biplane. This is the 30th type of airplane I have flown in and it's definitely the strangest.

07/12/02 Another Jolt to the Eardrums - I was lucky to get another ride in the New Standard today, and I'm finally convinced that a person needs earplugs in the thing! What a fun airplane.

07/18/02 JLFC Formation Clinic - I had a BLAST at an unplanned "vacation" in Keokuk, Iowa this week at the Joint Liason Formation Coalition's formation flight clinic. I was there with a pilot friend from Monday night until Thursday morning and camped under the wing of an airplane. I spent plenty of time in the company of Bird Dogs, Stearmans, O-2s, Navions, and many other types of planes. I attended the ground school as an observer and learned a lot. I almost got to ride along on a formation fight but I had to leave earlier than planned- darn! I made a few new friends (hi Kelly, Tim, Pat, and Frank!) and didn't want to leave.

07/23/02 AirVenture Tuesday - I've been working at Pioneer Airport and continued doing so today. I took a helicopter ride during the airshow. Later, after closing, I walked around the grounds with my co-worker and got an overview of what there is to see this year.

aerial view of Gene Soucy this afternoon

the Boeing 747 that brought Icelanders to Oshkosh

07/24/02 AirVenture Wednesday - I spent the morning at Pioneer Airport and the afternoon working with the Ford Tri-Motor / New Standard ticket sales. Later, I went out to eat in a group with our New Standard pilot, an Alaskan bush pilot, a pilot associated with the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, and a newly-licensed pilot friend.... What more could I want? The bush pilot showed me some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen, including aerial views of Alaska and close-ups of wolves and bears. It made me want to fly there.

07/25/02 AirVenture Thursday - I saw many friends today, some by plan, some by chance. I browsed the exhibit hangars, walked around the planes, and worked at Pioneer Airport. I shot a nice picture of a Mustang.

P-51 "Donna-Mite" with rain in the background

07/26/02 AirVenture Friday - It was warm and humid today but not too terrible. We only got a quick rain shower at the end of the day. I was at Pioneer until 6:00 when I went to the flight line to work with the Ford Tri-Motor rides again. I helped out with ground crew, then I was lucky enough to sit in the copilot's seat for a flight. After that, I rode in a passenger seat for the last flight of the day. It was great!

07/27/02 AirVenture Saturday - A little rain didn't dampen my spirits today! I was at Pioneer Airport in the morning. Then I went to work with the Ford Tri-Motor / New Standard rides for a while, where I met up with a pilot friend. Later he and I went to the seaplane base and enjoyed the delicious pig roast. I had never been to the seaplane base before and finally I know what I've been missing!

07/28/02 AirVenture Sunday - I worked at Pioneer Airport all afternoon and evening and was lucky enough to get a second helicopter ride.

07/29/02 AirVenture Monday - I worked at Pioneer Airport again but also took a break to buy some Cirrus and American Champion Aircraft clothing... gotta support my favorite airplanes!

07/30/02 Terrible Day - I was very sick all day and ended up seeing an emergency room doctor later because I had a high fever. Also, in the morning I was shocked at the loss of the New Standard biplane that I have flown in. No one was seriously injured but the rare airplane is in pieces.

©2004-2005 Kate Bernard all rights reserved. Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Made on a Mac Badge is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., used with permission.