Soapa 2009

[Paul462]

Avalon Best Western is close to Lakefront Airport (Flightline says they can shuttle us over) at $81/night+tax; taxi to the French Quarter is around $25 and 15 minutes.

Flightline says they get pilot discounted rates of $119+tax at Crowne Plaza and Iberville Suites (both off Bourbon Street; they'll probably charge more during Jazz Fest), will park us all together, and give us a fuel discount. Tie down is still $15/night.

[hharney]

Well that's a little more encouraging. Thanks Paul for digging in to that. New Orleans could still be a good choice knowing this. No idea how much of an upcharge there might be during the fest? Of couse the Jazz stuff is a distance away from Bourbon Street if I remember, it would require some kind of transportation to attend and event tickets.

Keep the comments coming to excercise your rights in all this planning :-)

[WebMaster]

I don't think we have to come up with transportation to the Jazz Fest. There is public transportation, or taxi cabs, that will take people to the Jazz Fest. Not everyone will want to go at the same time, or stay all day.

I think one of the attractions would be a side trip on Wednesday, to TCM in Mobile.

BTW, there is a map of the fairgrounds, with the various venues. It is a large place. http://www.nojazzfest.com/info/map.php

The current schedule is also posted, and it is simply amazing. http://www.nojazzfest.com/music/index.php

[stackj]

Last time I was in New Orleans, we used the streetcar for all transportation. Prices were very reasonable.

Haven't been there since Katrina... I guess the street cars are still operational.

[hharney]

The registration form is posted on the Skymaster Web Site.

http://www.337skymaster.com/SOAPAReg2009.doc

Please review the sign up page and join us for the 2009 SOAPA meeting in Branson, MO

River Cruise
http://www.bransonlandingcruises.com/lake-queen.cfm

Hotel Info
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=26066

The Fly-in airport is PLK, Point Lookout, is just a few minutes away from the hotel. The Airshow on Sat and Sun is at the new airport, BBG, which will not be open for landing until after the airshow.

[Beth]

Please remember to keep those cards & letters coming!! Seriously- Start making your plans to attend the 2009 SOAPA Fly-In.

Send your registration form and checks to me at:

Beth Fiala
1500 E. Piney Rd.
Dickson TN 37055

Make check payable to SOAPA

Sounds like a good group of speakers, and the weather should be perfect in Branson that time of year.

Beth

[hharney]

All remaining rooms at the SOAPA meeting hotel will be released Monday April 6. If you have not secured a room for the SOAPA 2009 event you need to act now. There are rooms still available today but after Monday all rooms will be released to the public. Book your room now and if necessary you can cancel later.

With only 30 days until the kick-off in Branson the date is coming quickly. For more information click on the link below

http://www.337skymaster.com/

[ipasgas1]

I just made my reservation under the wire. I am looking forward to my first meeting. Is the meeting at the hotel? I will not get in until near noon on Thursday so I will miss the morning meetings but make the afternoon. I still need to print out my SOAPA registration form and mail it. We are getting a new rear engine put on so hopefully it will be done in plenty of time. See you in Branson.

[hharney]

Yes the meeting on Thursday is at the hotel. Thursday evening we will be on the Lake Queen paddle boat for a nice cruise on the lake. It will be really busy Thursday when you arrive, there is a US Pilots Association meeting taking place on Thursday afternoon at the airport PLK.
Hopefully you can find a parking spot with the rest of the Skymasters. If you need a car I would call Avis now and reserve something (they have Harley's too), talk to Jeff at 417-334-4945. I would suggest that you try to arrive as early as possible on Thursday. Can't wait to meet you, it will be a great gathering and weekend.

[John Hoffman]

Herb - thanks for the reminder re. reservations, made a room res. yesterday for arrival Tuesday 5/5 thru Sunday 5/10 - Ill be a bit early so if you need anything pre meeting just message me. Also took notice of your car rental hint and reserved today. Thanks again.

[hharney]

I just checked with the hotel in Branson and as of today there are still rooms available but they are NOT holding any rooms for SOAPA. If you haven't booked your room yet call now to secure a room.

417-334-6464 or 1-800-828-0404

All the room rates are still the same as listed on the home page link.

[hharney]

If you have already booked your hotel room for the SOAPA meeting in Branson please remember to send in your SOAPA form found on the home page

http://www.337skymaster.com/

There are some rooms left but are not guaranteed to be there if you don't call now.

The SOAPA registration fee cut-off date is April 20th

[hharney]

As of today there are still rooms available at the hotel in Branson. See the home page for details on the SOAPA fly-in

[ipasgas1]

Well, as luck would have it, our 337 is out of service. We have to get a new rear engine. It was at almost 1700hrs and the block was found to be cracked. As such, I have had to cancel my plans to attend SOAPA next month. I was really looking forward to flying down, now I guess I will be attempting to help with a new engine installation instead. I will get to one of these meetings, one day. Oh, if you call Best Western fairly quick, you can get my King bed that I just cancelled, they said I had the last one.

[hharney]

Sorry to hear that you won't make it. Did you check on flights into Springfield? It's only a 45 minute drive down to Branson. Might be cheaper than the fuel for the Skymaster, I hate it when that happens but you don't have to fly your own plane just come join in the festivities.