[GMAs]

I think we have so far had the top three areas hold their own for where the group would like to see the meeting held... but, to be fair... maybe kevin would be able to take the top 5 and post them again... and we could narrow it down... although it seem like the leader is the midwest... and the most equatible for all... but, I am not shure exactly where would be the best place... and that would have to come from the people who are around their... else we are going to have to get the travel agent out and see what is of interest... around their.. and where a meeting could be held... at any of the many places...

I guess we could go by states but, their are a lot of them in the midwest... so maybe we should make boundaries... north and south.. and narrow it down a little more...

I possed the problem to a editor friend of mine who also writes for the mags... and asked him to select the best place in the midwest that has the most to offer in entertainment as well as services... he thought it would make a great article and so is going to fire something back in a month or two... his reaction was.. gee their are so many places that have great things to do and see... but, he wanted to know what time of year we were thinking of.. Hmmmmmm.... I assume it would be best in May... but, again that is something that is not my decision alone to make...

so what do you think... should we put up a new questionair... and refine the original .... I know the old72 driver was going through the old whitmakers newsletters and their was some mention of Kansas... but, that was then... and we are into promoting you to take a adventure and do some travel by air... as well as a learning experance...

Most of you are getting ready to put the planes in for the winter... and are going to start to do your maintance annuals... time to get the old bird back into shape and keep this trip in the back of your mind when you are doing it... just to make it go the extra distance...

Another thing that Pete suggested was that we have different people from different areas take their own area and send out, go post and give skymaster pilots who are not current on the regestery a handout/posting to try and get the "rest of the fold togeather"....

And lastly... how should we hold the skymasters meeting... should we have it just open... and anything goes... or should we have a lecture/fact finding and then open discussion... or make it back to school... should we have a facility that we can go out and physically open up a plane and do some hands on stuff... or just classroom.... Should we invite a guest speaker... like peter or Tom from CPA to come and give a talk... I think it would be great to hear what others have to say... and where they are from also... so maybe we could have just a group thing... all of these are questions that we should have thought of...

then of course their is the night life and entertaninment... for the other half that doesn't want to sit around and listen to a bunch of guys...gals... wave their arms and draw funny pictures that look like something from the e-giptons...smile... but, on a budget...

And lets have more planes this year... heck only a hand full last year... none from the west... come on...start saving them pennies... for the fuel and flight... and who knows it might even make the news... hey that another thing... we going to have maybe some officers and PR person... I can think of several who are good at computers... and we do need a grand awkie thumper that can call the meetings to order... etc... a little more orginized than just.. well here we are... now what...kinda thing... we don't need no stinking rules... just officers... and PR people... whos term is good until they get tired of it or we find some other that wants too....

I have contacted a flag maker this morning .. they really are sail makers over here... that makes up them colorful flags.. and they said they would see about making up some proofs for us... I gave them some ideas... you got any others... one flag for the hangar... one for the house... and one for the meeting.. each with their own family crest or badge on it... and I guess we could number them.. as the new kids on the block would be higher numbers...sort of thing...

Ok... get to doing what we all do best their skymaster owner... start thinking in the easy chair and no snoring when the wife asks what your doing.. say ... thinking about flying... except for larry... and kevin... they work way to hard...

BTW.... we flew to a restraunt that is on a airfield... we frequent.. called jones's... their we usually do the old stunt of pulling up to the large picture windows... and at the last min spin the skymaster around... so that it is parked so all can see... while eating... we jumped out and headed for the insides and usually have several people ask if they can look inside... good pR... so we say.. sure.. and leave the top door open.. it also makes it cooler when you get back... Once inside we met the owner and she naturly has a table up at the window for us to keep a eye on the plane as well as great place to eat... (steak)... and we always have people marvel at the way we came in.. as well as the plane itself...

We always overhear some funny stuff though... one time the guys girlfirend or wife was saying ... "no.. no.. they have the engine in the rear to make it climb better... and he replied.. gee I think its a spare..." we helped out by saying... she was right... heck giving the little woman a sence of inferority... and others who we have met before are still amazed at the plane... sometimes we even speak a little loudly and make the offer after dinner to take someone up for a local flight... we always have takers... and the gal that owns the joint usually gives us dinner on the house... because it brings 'em back...

Well we did the same this time... but, instead of having to ask... a bright young looking gal came over and said... are you the one that takes people up in the plane... looking her over... what a doll... I sat streight up in the chair... sucked in the gut.. and said... sure am... are you interested in going...after dinner... thinking wow a chance of a lifetime... atttttt.... nope... she was sent over from another table... that the owner of the steak house had informed its occupants that I was the one... and as I looked back I could not see too many people or who.. but, I said.. sure I can take two this trip... she then gave me her card.... girls carry cards now... hmmmm.... and it said that she was a escort service... DOWN LARRY... this is not what you think... she is a planner... and aranges things for clients... like lemmmos and dinners and things like that... darn knew it was too good to be true... anyway... after dinner I sent the waiter over and said were ready any time they are... and I guess I should tell you that the steak house is in NAPA... ahhh the land of movie stars and actors... and guess who along with their wife came out and got in the plane... smile... nope I am going to keep you guessing but, they are on TV in a sitcom.... and they were having dinner with another very fine actor... Mr. Eastwood himself... who flew his helo up with his wife also...
Anyway we took off after meeting all the people and went up the wine country way... flight lasted about 40 min... and we checked out some trees and houses like my Elmer larry did... and then came back... and they left in Clints helo... as I was going back to the skymaster I had flown over... the fuel truck pulled up.. and started to get out his hoses.. I replied .. naw I don't need to buy any fuel... its expensive their... he replied.. nope its paid for already... your guest told me to come over and filled up the plane... took about 70 gallons...
Wow... now that is what I like.. free dinner, free fuel and meeting great people... wow... and so did the owner of the skymaster I flew... as it came back with full tanks... he was impressed.. and said I could use it any time I wanted because of it...

Isn't it nice to go in looking like dirt and coming out smelling like a rose... smile... only in a skymaster... beach drivers eat your heart out... G.M>GMAs