Brodak's Fly In 2004

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-04 AT 03:24 PM (CDT)
 
I'm surprised that there has only been one post regarding Brodak's Fly In. It was a great event and I had a wonderful time. Even the rain couldn't dampen the fun.

Thanks to the Brodak's for literally opening their home to us for 5 days. They are gracious folks.

Highlights included:

Windy being inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame. (And he is still breathing!)

Bob "Mr. 69 NATS " Lampione being presented a reproduction of his NATS Trophy.

John Brodak's grandson Alex flying as "Celebrity Pilot" in The Junkyard Wars, and wowing us with some really low level flying.

Dan Banjock entertaining us with his flying fleet during the breaks in the action.

The Sweeper flying and fluttering during it's second flight. It nearly lost it's elevator when the horn broke.

This was my first experience attending this event but it won't be my last.

There has to be a caption for this picture of Phil Spillman.

Caption:

"HMMMM, if I'da had this lens when I lost my teeth in the Gulf, I'da found 'em easy"

Phil and a few others will "get it"

The picture looks like Spillman looking for a clue.....

>The picture looks like Spillman looking for a clue.....

Steve,
I was there. He didn't find it........

>>The picture looks like Spillman looking for a clue.....
>
>
>Steve,
> I was there. He didn't find it........
>
>John

Ohhhhhhh thats cold! I like it!

I missed going up there and seeing all you guys. The good news is that the next couple of years my Brodaks weekend should be free of scheduling conflicts so I can give Phil a hard time in person.

As for Phil he's amazed that his svelt figure looks so...distended! More importantly what do you suppose Ken "Sleepy" Dawson and Pat Rowan are discussing in the backround? This picture was taken on circle 3 where the Experts usually fly however they didn't fly all of their events up there this year. There was at least one event on the "donut" circle up in the trees. I believe that Expert Classic was up there on one of the rainy mornings.

Of all 8 Brodak Fly Ins this was the biggest and the best by far. Many new faces and competitors. The powers that be were expecting a decline in numbers this year but instead the opposit happened. The family keeps growing at both ends of the age spectrum. It was truly rewarding to see so many new young folks enjoying themselves. The enthusiasm of youth is catching and inspiring to be sure.

It was the first time for me as well. I been wanting to go ever since John Paris has been there. Four days is sure tough on the budget, but well worth it. I showed up ready to fly Beginner's Stunt, but after seeing who was flying I decided that I didn't belong there anymore. Made the move up to Intermediate without any practice. I did great in Profile Stunt. Not too good in Classic since it was a borrowed plane again with no practice. But I was really impressed with my score for Pampa stunt. It is so good to put a face to some of the names that come on SSW. One thing I noticed is that everyone talks louder when I am around. I guess you had to be there.
Looking forward to Sig and seeing some of you guys again.
Jay

I would have liked to see you there, too. This was my second CL contest in 37 years and I was able to connect with so many people from the SSW world. Last year was simply a blur. This year, I was able to remember faces and names.

FYI - They were circulating a petition asking us if we would rather move the Fly-In to the first week of August or keep it on the Father's Day weekend in June. I'm not sure if I care when they run it - I know I will be there. Try to plan your vacation accordingly.

If you have a strong opinion about this idea, please send a note to John or Tom or Allen.

I now have to start flying the full CLPA pattern (gotta remember to turn right instead of left at the bottom of the first wingover ) and I hope to see you at Huntersville in October.

Ron King

Hi Ron,
Great to meet you at the Fly In. Good Lrod willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll be at Huntersville in Oct.
Bill <><

The first week of August would be perfect. My wife sort of lays down the law on the fathers/mothers day weekends. So my vote would be for August, might have more consistent weather that time of year.

LAST EDITED ON Jun-22-04 AT 08:47 AM (CDT)
 
This photo was taken Friday, Classic day at the expert circle. (There are 6 circles).
Phil seemed to be in a funk in the photo so as Dave Heinzman ran for cover Sleepy (Ken Dawson) told me to take Phil to the Hartly Inn for fish & a beer for dinner. He could also order the waiter around a bit. Might be good for him.
Sleepy's perscription seemed to work as Phil was soon back to his old self again after dinner.
(Inside joke, you had to be their)

This was undoubtable the biggest and best Brodak event yet. I have missed only one and hope to never do so again.
As usual, Buzz and John and the entire Brodak staff did an outstanding job of running the event - NOTHING was missed.
Tom Hampshire and Alan Brickhaus handled the CD chores without fault.
All in all, I heard nothing but positive comments, especially from the first-timers. In my opinion, it is truly the C/L event of the year.
Note that ARF stunt was introduced this year - see my post under Cardinal ARF in Product Reviews. Also, see the post by Richard Peabody titled "Why is it?".
Bob Z

>All in all, I heard nothing but positive comments,
>especially from the first-timers. In my opinion, it is truly
>the C/L event of the year.

>Bob Z

Bob Z, I agree. And modelers like youself attending certainly ads immeasurably. There can never be enough praise bestowed on Buzz and John Brodak and his family and staff. I envy any modeler who lives close enough to visit more than one time each year.

Hawk

Hoyt D. Hawkins
Gadsden, Alabama