Emergency Flyout to Mojave Airport
March 31st, 2007
Because good flying weather was forecasted for the weekend, the fact that the previous weekend was a bust, and the Redtails had nothing scheduled for the weekend to take advantage of the good flying conditions across the state, Redtail 1 called for an Emergency Flyout to Mojave Airport on Saturday. Mojave Airport is conveniently located next to Edwards Air Force Base, and is home to the Civilian Test Pilots School, Scaled Composites, and a host for other high tech, state of the art flying companies. Mojave is also the home to several private companies putting civilians in space.
Knowing we were coming, the Airport Operations Staff on very short notice came in on their day off, had lunch with us and opened their VIP board room to us and gave us a Power Point presentation and a short movie about the ins and outs of what was happening at the airport/spaceport. After the dynamite presentation we had a question and answer session that ran overtime as expected (when pilots get into discussions about aviation and the future operations at Mojave as a space port). Check out Mojave's website an see why the Redtails had so much fun! Thank you Mojave!
Another great week for the Redtails!
Slow Week for Flying
March 25th 2007
This was a slow weekend for the Redtails. A flight of Redtails attempted to have lunch at one of our favorite airports for lunch at San Luis Obispo but were turned back be the usual costal fog that hugs the California this time of the year. The group had to turn back inland and settle for a great lunch at the Camarillo Airport and others returned home. What a bummer!
Redtails Practice for Total Domination at Delano
March 17th, 2007
Saturday at Delano Airport the Redtails held there first practice of the year for Skyhook. with 27 airplanes on the ramp it was an awesome sight! The weather couldn't have been better; 85F clear, and winds light and variable. we might have had more airplanes if the weather had been better along the coastal areas of the California. The Pylon races started about an hour late because we would rather talk about flying at times than fly, plus we were running on CP time. As in Pine Bluff locating the number two pylon was an issue to some of the new guys.
Ron (Redtail 1) was the first to start the action with Tumbleweed. He said he was just trying to improve his technique around the corners because this was a practice and he urged all of us to do the same practice. Being Redtails that was had to to get over to the them that it was only a practice and not for blood.
Next Bennie (Redtail 2) brought out the best of his Bonanza, setting a new course record for his class. We didn't know he could turn that tight in a Bonanza! When he came by the start/finish line on his last lap he had everything dialed in and it sounded like one of those Reno Racers wound up tight! Bennie, an ex Navy pilot must have had a flashback to push his Bonanza like that! Part of what it takes to get good Pylon times is being consistent and smooth, Bennie certainly showed us he had the right stuff!
Rayvon was up next in his 'S' Bonanza. Rayvon was parked quite away from the viewing area and Ed (Redtail 8) was seen walking with him, giving him pointers. Well when Rayvon lit the fire and started to taxi past the reviewing stands Ed was sitting in the co-pilots seat. Everyone knew Rayvon was going to be turning some very hot lap times with Ed in the airplane giving him on the spot advice. Well the first two laps looked like the usual Rayvon heavy footed high horsepower laps, but something changed on the third lap. the turns were steeper, there was no altitude gain or loss on the turns, and the speed picked up a bunch! We wondered if that throw over yoke had been thrown over for that last lap?
It was then time for Jim (Redtail 57) to make his Twin Turbo/Pressurized, Satellite radio equipped Skymaster to take its turn on the course. Jim swaggered out to his stead, Started the rear engine first, and when all eyes were on him he started the front engine. The sound of those two engines in sync while warming up was music to our ears. As he taxied out to the run-up area the airplane look like it wanted to lurch forward just taxiing. As he was doing his run-up the excitement grew. We knew something special was about to happen. He eased it on to the runway and stopped, probably to catch its breath, Jim lead with the rear engine then brought the front engine up to match and it was like a sprinter at the crack of his starting pistol. The airplane with that Robinson STOL kit lightly loaded seem to travel all of 100ft on it and it was airborne. Before he had traveled the length of the runway the gear and flaps were up and Jim was bringing the engines into sync. The rest is history. Jim broke the long standing club record for twins held by Gene (Redtail23)in his Beech Duke (with air conditioning) by 4 seconds. For the rest of the day Jim was wearing a wide grin mumbling something about kicking some Baron A@# when he gets to Pine Bluff!
Steve (Redtail 7) was next on the tarmac. Steve had never run the pylons in his present airplane (Glasair II) and what a difference it was since last year when he brought a fat wing Cherokee to run. Steve was the first one to miss the second pylon and went half way to Sacramento on his first lap. On his second lap we had to call and turn him and he saw it! since this was practice Steve started over. His first lap was faster than anyone! the second and third laps were faster by 2 them 5 seconds! We all wanted him to continue but he landed to take on gas and lunch. Can you imagine what the next time he gets on the course the possibilities?
Just before lunch Ed (Redtail 8) decided he needed to shrink some of our swollen heads and build up his appetite so he fired up his RV3. He then proceeded to break the Redtail and course record by 3 seconds! This was expected though. Ed, who races his Cassett are Reno every year could be classified as a professional and the record would not count, but he is a Redtail first and a professional racer second so it counts!
Lunch was provided by Norse (Redtail 51). A four course meal featuring some of the tastiest BBQ know to man with all the trimmings. The Redtails came together each providing their touch to the meal, down to the trash bags to clean up after the meal. Thanks, Ravon, Eric, Troy, Shirley, and any I missed in this article.
After lunch we started the Balloon Burst Practice. This time as in the Pylon Race we had promised a much more organized approach to airspace management and our Flight Leader for this event was 'E'. Eric (Redtail 66) had us running like a smooth running clock. Our practice is set up so that each Redtail can take as many chances at hitting a balloon as he wants. As usual this was a crowd favorite. The Redtails spent over three hours chasing balloons out of the sky and working on different speeds and distances to call for the balloon release.
At the end of the day we were all worn out from a great day of flying. The weather as promised was ideal. Our new members got to see and do Pylon Racing and Balloon Bursting for the first time and the next time we get together they will be in the thick of it.
Several members took the local spectators and all the children who wanted to on rides.
"Crook" (Redtail13) showed up to inspire us on.
Several of our Redtails who we hadn't seen for some time joined us.
I wish I had the space to tell write about all the other Redtails who participated and made this one of our best days for us as Redtails but . . .
It was a great Redtail weekend! More to come in pictures next week.
Redtails plan for Delano
March 11th, 2007
This week the Redtails took advantage of some unseasonably warm weather to attend meetings of the CBAAI and BABPA on Saturday and a few flew to the San Diego area for lunch Sunday. Everyone is excited about the practice session next weekend at Delano. The airport at Delano is very similar to the one at Grider Field in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and the Redtails always have the field to ourselves. We are looking forward to introducing all of the new members to Balloon Bursting and Pylon Racing.
Weather Strikes Again!
March 5th, 2007
This week the weather again stalled the flying plans for the Redtails with most of them sitting around the airports looking up at the sky knowing it wasn't going to clear up!
With Daylight Savings Time ending in March 11th this year we are assured of more flying time. Several of the Redtail airplanes and doing annuals. Ron (Redtail 1), Ron (Redtail 31), Ron (Redtail 88), Kurk (Redtail 27) all had their propellers balanced this week at WHP. What a difference it makes!
Several new members have joined the Redtails and we will be featuring them in the coming weeks and updating our pictures.
Editors Note: I was threatened with sanctions for not updating the website every week like I have for the last few years. They have promised to provide me with more pictures this year. I have been also been promised a 200% pay raise if I can continue to update it weekly.
Redtails fly to Santa Ynez for Lunch
February 24th, 2007
This week saw simply gorgeous weather for the whole state for out fly-in to Santa Ynez Airport. Santa Ynez Airport doesn't have a restaurant on the field so everyone brought a box lunch. The surrounding area to the airport has great scenery of rolling hills and the Danish themed town of Solvang nearby plus Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch to only be seen by air. A great day to sit at the airport picnic area fellowship with other Redtails and enjoy flying with your brothers.
Redtails Weathered in for a week
February 18th, 2007
After 'Slapdown' the Redtails came back to marginal weather on the California coast and have been grounded all over the state by the weather for the last week. Several of the Redtails obtained hangars at Compton Airport and have been accessorizing them with the help and supervision of the others. It would be a shame if you walked into a Redtail's hanger and were not offered a cold drink or a cushy seat to sit an discuss the fine art of hangar flying! Those who now have new hangars are Darryl Mack (Redtail 40), and Alonzo Jones (Redtail 54).
Redtails host "Slapdown"
February 12th, 2007
The Redtails and the Bronze Eagles Flying Club of Texas got together for their annual "Operation Slapdown" in El Paso, Texas this weekend. As it has been in the last few years the Redtails dominated the flight line far outnumbering the Bronze Eagles in airplanes and members present. The weather cooperated with all but the Redtails had the advantage of having a great tailwind component all the way from California while the contingent from Texas bucked those same winds as headwinds. (Editor's note: this has been the weather pattern for the last three years! I have to wonder if there is a divine guidance involved?)
The Bronze Eagles put up a good fight in the wolf ticket selling, and are formidable foes in this department but the overwhelming numbers for the Redtails shouted most of the hot air coming from Texas.
It was as usual a great time breaking bread and fellowshipping with our brothers from Texas!
Redtails Host the Black Pilots of America Board of Directors Meeting
January 12th, 2006
The Redtails began the year by hosting the Black Pilots of America's Board of Directors meeting. The meeting was held at the Airtel Plaza Hotel on the grounds of the Van Nuys Airport. It started on Thursday and ended on Monday with a fly-over of the Los Angeles celebration of the Martin Luther King day parade which eight airplanes participated.
During the weekend the were several seminars presented on Search and Rescue ground signaling devices and aircraft engine management. After Saturdays meeting we had a big "throw down"! Dinner featured a choice of Lamb Chops, "yardbird", or Swordfish Steaks. After dinner the band and singing group of "Seville" where we danced to the oldies most of the night!
Another great weekend for the Redtails
