Land of Enchantment Fly-In 2002
Welcome to Las Cruces!
Unsettled weather to the north and east reduced attendance at LOE2, but the weather in Las Cruces was beautiful, and for those of us that were able to make it, the smaller number of airplanes just made it easier to get a good look at all the airplanes and to meet people we didn't know before.
I know of two airplanes that made it in from east of my home in Carlsbad, NM, one from Alabama and one from Fort Worth, and one from north of New Mexico, from Colorado. Most of the attendees were from Arizona and California. Ken and Ken and Rob represented Vans from Oregon and there were several airplanes from New Mexico. Including some airplanes on Saturday that stayed for only a short time then departed, around 50 RV's attended.
California Boys Arrive
I had to depart Carlsbad IFR through a thin layer of stratus and had an undercast almost till El Paso. I regret I did not have a camera available when I flew by Guadalupe Peak poking up through the undercast. The airplane from Alabama left 16 want-to-gos on the ground, and flew IFR the entire trip to Las Cruces. East of New Mexico, there just was not much good weather.
Brian Denk Enthralls the Gawkers
Fellow New Mexicans Brian, Debbie and Skyler Denk and I arrived simultaneously at Las Cruces just as Brian and I arrived simultaneously at Waco earlier in the year. We couldn't do this stuff if we planned it.
Skyler, at 10 months of age, took his first RV ride to his first LOE this year. He enjoyed the RV ride, sleeping (like a baby) the entire way with ear plugs and a belt attached to his mother, Debbie's, belt. The RV-9 was very fine, but Skyler was the hit of the event, good naturedly pushing his stroller around, and putting up with being constantly bothered by Paul Rosales.
Red Marron's Thunderbird RV-6
Last year I went to La Posta for Friday dinner. This year I went with a good sized group to Double Eagle, which is also in Old Mesilla, but on the plaza. I give the edge to La Posta for food, but Double Eagle is without equal for the building. The room we were in was built in the 1850's. Other parts of the building were built at different times. There is a central atrium with all kinds of rooms arranged around it, including a ballroom and a haunted room. Much of this was added by Roswell, NM oilman, Robert O. Anderson. There are lots of elegant balconies and chandeliers. Quite an experience.
Katie Answers Questions About Her Pretty RV-4. Gary Sobek in White Shirt.
Saturday was a perfect, shirtsleeve day with some puffy cumulus developing in the afternoon. Ken Scott and Ken Krueger were busy giving rides, as were many civilians. Special credit should go to Paul Rosales who specialized in giving rides to the spouses of builders who had never been in an RV. He did a very good business. I was shocked that so many people that are so intimately involved in such a large project, had not even had a ride before Paul made it a point to give them one.
Paul, With One of His Many Riders
Perfect, Hands Behind the Back Form, Looking at the RV-9
While I was wandering around, on Saturday, a Stinson landed that sure didn't look like any Stinson I had ever seen. I went over and talked to the pilot, Linda. She filled me in on the Stinson 10A; a three passenger, 90 HP Franklin powered, spotter/bomber. About 500 were made and they were used a lot by the CAP in coastal patrol duties, sometimes carrying a single bomb. She said many ended up in the ocean. Her airplane had been restored and fitted with a higher horsepower engine. She and Ron were there because they were interested in maybe building an RV. She had some questions about the available landing gear configurations though. She asked if you can get an RV-8 without the nosewheel gear. It seems she has very limited experience in airplanes with nosewheels, and she doesn't really feel confident with that configuration. I assured her the RV-8 is available with the easy tailwheel configuration.
Pinstriping Detail
Tail Detail
Around banquet time on Saturday, it started clouding up some. Rumor had it that there was a severe thunderstorm watch. We started seeing some lightning and some of us moved our airplanes under a shade in case of the predicted possible hail. We never got more than lightning and light rain but I slept better with the airplane under cover. Strange October weather indeed.
In addition to the Mariachi Band, we had a silent auction and raffles this year at the banquet. People were definately into the silent auction. I heard protesting based on different time standards. The oxygen system and noise canceling headset were especially popular bid items. Ken Krueger's interesting mother, Dorothy, won a case of airplane oil, which she traded. While at the fly-in, Ken stayed with his mother, in her RV, in the airport parking lot. She doesn't live in Las Cruces, but was here to work on Habitat for Humanity.
Rob Butt, and RV-7
At the banquet Bob Brashear gave piloting tips and Ken Krueger upadated us on the doings at the factory. If I am not mistaken, he said they plan to have the RV-10 at Las Cruces next year. A plan, not a promise.
Then Red spoke. This is around 8PM after a long, long, day of standing and talking and sun and dehydration and standing in line for food and maybe just a bit of testiness. People are OK, but maybe a bit tense. Then Red spoke. I looked around and saw people leaning back in their seats. I saw people cracking smiles. I saw people getting more and more relaxed. How can you resist the guy? After just a little bit of Red's positive outlook, and his enveloping good cheer everyone is ready to hug their neighbor and give up bad thoughts forever.
If I understand it correctly this LOE fly-in is a combination of the efforts of Bob Brashear, Red Marron, Doug Reeves and Adventure Aviation. Well they certainly all have a lot to contribute, and I was just sorry Doug could not make it this year with his new airplane.
Jeff Nielsen's Turbocharged RV-6 Can Carry 120 Gallons in 7 Tanks
At the banquet the winners were announced. I didn't write it all down, so I won't report it. I do remember that the Grand Champion is Laird Owens. I agree with this award heartily. It is refreshing to see an airplane like Laird's win. This airplane was not built by a "hired gun," but by Laird and his father. This airplane does not have a flashy, custom paintjob. It has a very beautiful and tasteful paintjob. This airplane was not built for the purpose of winning building awards, it was built for flying and fun. This airplane is not so heavy it is a bad RV. This airplane does not have avionics all out of proportion to its mission. This airplane is not such that the pilot is afraid to fly it for fear of a chip. This is just a very well built and well thought out RV that is flown a lot and still looks good. Prior to the judging I was telling people that Laird's is the best RV-6 I have seen. I agree with the judges.
Laird Owens Grand Champion RV, LOE2
Laird's Panel
On Sunday morning we had the, very good, EAA breakfast and once again, Col. Borman favored us by flying his P-51. He did a fly-by, several touch-and-gos and a final high speed fly-by with a high g turn, right over the ramp, where that P-51 was screaming, literally. It was making a sound I haven't heard before.
RV Judge, Col. Borman, Boarding His Mustang
After breakfast people started drifting out toward home, many doing farewell fly-bys. I wasn't in any hurry considering the 700 foot ceilings at home. When I did leave it was nice at Las Cruces but rainy with multiple cloud layers from near El Paso to Dell City. Things cleared out as forecast and I made it home with no problem, before noon, with the low clouds persisting just to the east.
SoCal Boys, Headed Home
It was another great, relaxed, LOE fly-in. In addition to the efforts of Red, Bob, and Doug it is striking how hard the Adventure Aviation folks work to make this a nice event. They are nothing but pleasant and eager to please. I am looking forward to next year.