2017 Cumberland, MD Spring Soar for Fun ~ March 22-26, 2017

[JimD]

Lots of low riding cars have made the journey up the road without any problems as well as large rear-wheel drive vans (like Gunny's Sprinter van for example). Only problem is with towing a large and/or heavy trailer up the road with a two-wheel drive vehicle.

People will start arriving 2 weeks from today!

[Steve P]

DO NOT FEAR THE ROAD!

I have been going to this flying site since the late 1980s long before Jim was the owner -- when it sullied the good name of goat paths. It got better in the later years and in the past several Jim has spent considerable funds to widen the road, open curves, etc. Big heavy sailplane trailers (Len), campers, etc. have no problem. If course, as Jim points out, if you have a huge load and no 4WD vehicle then there could be a challenge that is always successfully addressed by having someone with a 4WD vehicle take the load the final stretch. No worries.

You gonna let a little gravel get between you and bliss?!

[JimD]

35 registered pilots as of 3/19/17!

Check post #2 in this thread for a listing of the names of those registered.

[French1]

is it not a record Jim?

[Swiss1]

So it's time for my shameless Model Box commercial, if anyone is in need of a new project, BNF or components for your that project you are currently working on, let me know and I will do my best to fill your needs and deliver at the event!
The Swift that is listed on the For Sale forum is still available

Jeremy and Ben
SCCAAA TT TN

[Celuft]

Mr Swiss!

I'm in need of a 2s lipo to power my taranis Q7E. The requirements are: thickness less then 16mm(.6inch) x less then 3 1/2 inch long, and balance tap JST-HX, same tap e-flite uses. If you have one, I see U at Cumberland, Carl L.

[lenb]

Show your support

[Swiss1]

Thanks for the shameless help Len!

[JimD]

This reminds me of the first Spring Soar for Fun in 2010...the week before, there was so much snow on the ground that we could not get up the road to the field.

The outlook at my house this morning:



By the time the event date arrived, the weather was perfect and we had a great time!

Pictures from the 2010 Soar For Fun:

















So...will history repeat??

[Swiss1]

Is that a promise Jim?

[Soarntz]

Positive Waves!

[JoeN]

Just checked AccuWeather. Next week improves from Monday to Monday, 57 to 70. I can'T wait. Drive carefully. Oh yea, do not forget your sunblock!!

[JimD]

In reviewing the registrations. the following pilots have said they are bringing tow planes:

LenB ~ TopoModel Bidule 170 w/ ZDZ-180 engine

DonC ~ TopModel 3.2M Porter w/ DA-120

JimD ~ TopModel Bidule 170 w/ DA-150

PeterG ~ Original Design Schmelyak w/ DA-150

JeremyH ~ Hacker Decathlon w/ DA-100

RobertH ~ 40% Hempel Cub w/ DLE-170

KevinK ~ Hangar 9 Pawnee w/ DA-120

SteveK ~ TopModel 3.2M Porter w/ DA-120

SteveP ~ Hangar 9 Pawnee w/ DA-120

StephaneR ~ TopModel Bidule 111 w/ DA-100

BobT ~ AeroWorks Carbon Cub w/ DA-150

Thanks to all our tow pilots for not only their support of this event, but of aerotowing and scale soaring in general!

93 Octane pump gas mixed 40:1 with Red Line 2-Stroke Racing Oil will be available for tow pilots.

[Steve P]

Scratch one tow plane. I can't carry the Arcus fuselage and tow plane together in my trailer. Tried, but no joy. I need a tow plane with a removable horizontal. Even more reason for Jim to sell me his Bidule 111 !!!

[JimD]

I see an asset whose value is increasing exponentially!

[Steve P]

A man of your esteemed station in life with two proud Bidule 170s should not be seen in proper company sporting a 111. It is beneath you. Me, on the other hand...

[John Lueke]

Might need to get all of the towplanes in the air for a formation flyby.

[JimD]

Weather conditions...our snow is gone, it hit 50 degrees, and there is a nice breeze, so things are drying out. So far this year is following the same weather pattern as the 2010 event and that turned out pretty well for us so we hope the same pattern holds.

We just finished printing off name badges for all those who pre-registered.

Our road maintenance contractor will be working on the road tomorrow fixing the areas damaged by rain, snow, and the winter freezing and thawing, so the road should be in good condition for the event.

Tuesday, the portable toilets will be delivered, the road pointer signs installed, and final preparations will be completed for the arrival of the first few people that evening.

Wednesday morning at 8:00 am, we pick up four gallons of homemade soup for the soup and sandwich lunches.

The plans are coming together!

[lenb]

Spent the last two days cleaning out the trailer cabinets and drawers. The mice had a part this fall/winter.
Mega cleaning and putting the planes back in for the season.

Loaded the BAT

BAD ASS TUG

[JimD]

Dual Bidules

[JimD]

We now have 35 registered pilots!

In an effort to have the most enjoyable event possible for all involved, there are a couple of things that we would appreciate your help with.

Evening dinner reservations.

Virtually all of our attempts to make arrangements for large groups for dinner have turned into disasters. Service is slow, meals don't come out together, food is cold or overcooked. Basically, restaurants in this area are neither quipped nor prepared to serve large groups (even if they tell you differently on the phone).

Because of this, we stopped making plans for large group dinner reservations.

Our suggestion is this, form your own small group of four to six people and make your own plans on where to go. We have provided a listing of many of the options in post #1 of this thread. Even if there are several such groups that want to go to the same place at the same time, it will work out better for all involved if each group goes under a separate reservation. As soon as you request a large group to be seated together and served together, the process breaks down.

Lunch at the field

We will offer a lunch at the field each day at about 1:00 pm for a donation of $5.00/person. Our goal here is to serve quality food efficiently and at a break even price. There will not be a food and drink concession at other times of the day so bring your own snacks and drinks for those other times. Also, please take your own empty containers and litter with you each day and dispose of it. We do not have trash service at the field and the trash from our lunch service puts a big enough strain on our ability to dispose of it much less for all the rest.

Thanks for your help and here is looking forward to a great event!!!!!

[JimD]

Spent most of the day at the field.

Got wall mounted ventless propane heaters installed, to keep the chill off on Wednesday.



My road contractor worked spreading fresh gravel and clearing back the brush from the sides of the road.

Also, got 15 gallons of fresh 93 octane gas mixed 40:1 with Red Line 2-stroke Racing Oil stocked up in the hangar.

Forecast looks better and better, so I thought that had better double up the portable toilet order. They are designed to serve ten persons for one week per unit. Looks like we will have about 40 people for one week, so I have four units delivered tomorrow.

[Celuft]

And to think the backside of the old shed was open to the weather. Ah, the good old days. You still brew the cowboy coffee!!

[JimD]

Then there was the time when there was no cabin at all!

[lenb]

Wha wha WHAT...?

Oh the torture.

[JimD]

...and NO port-a-jons either!!!!!