Spring 2004 SOAP Fly In and Meeting

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VOTE FOR THE LOCATION OF THE SPRING '04 SOAP MEETING!

During the Spring '03 meeting, the following committee was appointed/drafted to plan the next meeteng: Larry Bowdish, Kevin Kenison, Paul S. Rooy, Jerry De Santis and Brian Von Herzen. We figured the best procedure would be to come of with a short list of locations, and then have prospective attendees vote on the winning location. After many e-mails we came up with the following short list of locations (in alphabetical order) to have the meeting at around the same time as the Spring '03 meeting: April 22 - 24/2004 (Thu - Sat):

1. Key West, FL: Key West features Duval St., with lots of shopping, Sloppy Joe's Bar (ex-Hemmingway hangout), Schooner's Seafood Bar with rooftop seating overlooking the port, day and 1/2 day reef snorkling trips, and of course the Conch Train and the lighthouse musem. An hour's guided tour of Hemmingway's House with its 7-toed mutant cats is a low-cost and interesting visit. It is de rigeaur to be at Mallory Square for sunset and the street performers - with any luck the tightrope-walking dog is still there, and the band Caribe is generally plaing latin music. Fun, sand, beaches, margaritas. Maybe we can do a short hop to Cuba by then, and pick up some cigars :-)

2. Memphis, TN: Centrally located to maximize attendance. Memphis' DeWitt Spain is a charming little airport just north of downtown Memphis, and last time Paul was there (7/03) self-serve fuel was $2.49/gal. The Sleep-In downtown was $79/night breakfast included, and within easy walking distance of Beale Street (home of the BIG HUGE carry-out beers, and Delta Blues being played by good local bands every other doorway). Of course there are other things to be seen there - the Mississippi River museum, featuring full size boat section mock-ups and a working scale model of the Mississippi river about 1 mi long (you walk along it), Graceland (with two of Elvis' airplanes), the Botanical Gardens, etc.

3. Oklahoma City, OK: Don Neiser, Commodore Aerospace, lots of Skymaster parts, home for the FAA. Don has said that there is a meeting facility on/near the airport which could be rented for our meeting. There are lots of nearby motels. MillionAir is the only FBO, they manage the airport for the town. Don currently has 4 O-2's in his hangar under some form of restoration.

4. Pueblo, CO: Skiing and hiking in the mountains, depending on the time of year. Very scenic! Maybe we can all go spend a week at Brian's Von Herzen's place after the get-together.

5. Santa Fe, NM: Has a great art scene, restaurants and a good airport. Brian Von Herzen goes in there often to visit friends and enjoy the town. It even has some skiing in the winter! Best times in Santa Fe are fall and spring.

Voting closes on 12/6/2003, so please record your preference by then. One vote per prospective attendee, please, and remember - if your choice wins, you're morally obligated to attend!