Airventure 2009 is closing down quickly. Saturday was a morning wash with rain showers and then behind the front was gusting winds to 25. Still the show went on and it was great. One of the first times that I left the camera behind and just watched the show. Sean Tucker and the Calaberators are amazing. It's amazing enough to just watch Sean or Michael Goulian by them selves but when 4 aerobatic pros fly you can only imagine the show. The amazing part is that they fly together using 3 different types of aircraft. Sean's Oricle Challenger, 2 Extra 300's and an Edge 540. That takes some talent and lot's of practice.

Mark and I decided to bail out Friday night instead of Saturday morning as planned so just before the airshow finished on Friday we packed up camp and were ready to depart. I had a prop blade sign that was given to me when I registered 2JF for judging. All week I had been checking the sign to see if it had been initialed from the judges indicating that the airplane had been judged. Finally Friday morning they judged the plane and I had noticed the initials from the judges. Well, everything was packed and I went to remove the blade sign and I found a letter tucked inside the blade sign. The letter said that the airplane was an award winner and I was invited to attend the ceremony and reception on Saturday at 6 PM. We had just packed up everything, Mark needed to be home and I was not sure what I had won. We hurried to the Vintage Association HQ because I had filed an IFR FP and did not want to miss the departure before the airport closed. At the Vintage HQ the guy saw the letter and said that I didn't want to miss the ceremony. He wouldn't tell me what I had won but just that I would want to be there. Well long story short, I flew home Friday night and grabbed Tammy and we came back today for the ceremony. We were able to get a room at the Hilton and just parked right at the hotel. Well all the hard work that everyone put into 2JF paid off. Yes folks we got one nice prize:

Best Contemporary Custom Multi Engine Aircraft for Oshkosh 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great surprise. I am so glad I came back because the Vintage Aircraft Association was just great. Everyone was so excited that they were giving an award to a Skymaster. There was some pretty stiff competition. Results will be coming soon in Sport Aviation magazine.

Great pictures Steve, here are a couple more from my camera eye. Of course Tammy took the one of the Lindberg. :-)

I am so happy for you. This is a great, wonderful, award. Tammy takes a great picture, too.

Congratulatons, great job.

Congratulations Herb!! Of course, I picked the other paint scheme when you took the poll.......

Congrats Herb! Kind of makes you feel good when all of your hard work pays off.

Congratulations Herb.

Well done from Barcelona!

Jordi

Well done, Herb! You're a credit to SOAPA, as only befits our glorious leader! Remember to bring the trophy and award banner to the next fly-in so we can all bask in the reflected glory. :-)

Paul & Mary

We are the Champions!!
 

Congratulations Herb.

You take the prize, and we are all winners and feel proud.

Oshkosh Winning Skymaster
 

Herb, having seen your "new" Skymaster at the Branson airport when you were having the SOAPA convention I definitely agree with the judges. I also followed along on the SOAPA website when you were going through the renovation and give it (and you) a thumbs up!

Great job. As one of my early instructors always said, "Keep up the airspeed"!

Paul

Winning Skymaster
 

Good job Herb, you well deserved that award, that is the best looking skymaster around. Dale

Sharp Skymaster
 

Now who says Skymasters can not be the greatest in the show!!! Good work Herb. Finished my annual Sunday the 2nd. ,New ani-collision lite from AveoMidAmerica on belly, rebuilt rear prop with another hub and blade and overhaul, spin-on oil filters each end, rebuilt bendex mags on rear, with new plugs and spark plug wires, new cessna rear spinner bulk head, and rebuilt right main fuel gauge. With labor 13K. All fueled up and now more hay to bale hay. Ed Kalis

Thanks everyone, you have all supported me and this site. Hey Ed, I will be in Mt Pleasant for the fly in on the 16th. I'll bring the Lindy for you to stroke :-)

Congrats Herb!. It was nice to meet you and see your aircraft at the show. Wow! I saw a winning aircraft! You earned it. Thanks for bolstering up a member of the fleet!

It was so great to meet you and Jenny. The short time we spent together seemed like we have been friends much longer. This whole thing took me by surprise but was great fun. See you guys soon at a gathering.

2009 Osh Video
 

http://www.youtube.com/user/roughsurface


Should be the one on top, Enjoy!

Nice Job, Herb!