Land of Enchantment Fly-In 2004
This year, 10/15/04-10/17/04 the weather was dry and breezy in Las Cruces with highs in the low 80’s and the attendance was just about right. There were plenty of people to make it interesting but not too many to be accommodated.
There were reported to be around 215 RV’s and 290 total aircraft.
West Big Canyon
My flight to Las Cruces, from Carlsbad, NM started out along the scenic Guadalupe Mountains. I never get tired of this flight along an exposed fossil reef
We were hoping the new 210 HP RV-10 would make it this year but mechanical difficulties prevented that. Gus Funnell was the representative from Van’s with the RV-7A. Somebody corrected the RV-7 designation on the tail with electrical tape, during the night.
Gus With Potential Customers
I had a chance to discuss the “Mighty Mite,” 210 HP RV-10 with Jerry Van Grunsven at Friday dinner. I saw him at El Comedor after both of us gave up on the long wait at the excellent La Posta restaurant in Old Mesilla. His feeling is that the 100 pound lighter RV-10 handles more nicely and the performance difference is difficult to notice, under moderate conditions, compared to the big-engine 10. Jerry suggested comparing the 210 HP RV-10 to the similarly powered but more complex, Piper Arrow. The comparison greatly favors the RV. Guess it depends on just how big your family is.
After repeatedly seeing video of an airplane spinning in at an airshow in Santa Fe, last weekend, and hearing about another airshow accident in California on Saturday, it is a real pleasure to not have to worry about performer's safety, airport closures and ramp closures. There were plenty of formation passes though. The maneuvering passes were my favorites but all the formation work was well done.
There were very few formal vendor booths, I think an engine place, a fairings place and the barbeque sandwich trailer was about it, but there were people around willing to talk about the possibilty of selling you something, provided you expressed an interest.
TruTrak Flight Systems (A Raffle Sponsor)
Despite iffy weather in some areas of the country there were representatives from the four corners of the US. Delaware to Southern California and Florida to Oregon, at least. As it has been each year of the Las Cruces event, the local weather was beautiful.
One of Twin Rockets With the Same Paint Design in Different
Colors. Airplanes With Canopy Covers Don't
Get Their Pictures Taken.
Spires of the Organ Mountains East of the Las Cruces Ramp
There is a strong tendency to automatically include the Organ Mountains in any Las Cruces picture. They are unusual and picturesque, especially the spired center part. Geologist Louise Hose and I decided to visit the New Mexico State University Library, in town, to try to find out something about why they are that way.
We didn't find out as much as we would have hoped, but did learn a few things.
The mountains do have their name because of the resemblance to a pipe organ. The spires are 27 million year old granite from an intrusion of molten rock into surrounding rock. The intrusive rocks were lifted up from several miles underground. When the rock above and alongside was removed over a period of time, the reduction of pressure on the granite caused the cooling cracks to widen. It is the vertical cracks, after further weathering, that makes the distinctive spires.
Louise Hose
Watching From the Bleachers or From Chairs in the Shade is Popular
Kings With Brian Denk
The Scrapbook is a Tip Off This is a Serious Competitor
This year the judging was done by a very qualified team of veteran RV builders and award winners.
Shock and Awe! Note the Aluminum Gear Legs.
The Complementary Evening
Hospitality Jeep is Very Popular
The banquet was a bit different this year although the mild food service difficulties remained. In lieu of the Mariachi band there was recorded oldie music. The band of previous years was nice and the kids that made up the band were great, but there is also pleasure to be derived from watching mature women boogying in the aisles to “Hang on Sloopy.”
Saturday Banquet
There are several unusual things about the Las Cruces Fly-In. One thing I don't know about happening anywhere else is the benefit to a local organization. I don't know who first came up with the idea, but it sure works neat.
The person who actually gets out and beavers around for donations seems to be Doug Reeves. Mesilla Valley Community of Hope feeds people when they are hungry, clothes and shelters them when they need it and tries to get them to a position where they don't need the help anymore. The, aptly named, Pamela Angell is their representative and she is gracious and appreciative for the small efforts of the pilots.
Pamela gets some funding help, the pilots get the fun of a raffle and the chance of a very nice prize, and the companies get a bit of publicity. I really can’t see where anyone loses on this deal!
Doug Reeves (Left)
Pamela Angell
I really did want to give an RV ride to Pamela this year, but she was unable to make it out until banquet time. A couple of years ago she expressed that she was afraid she would like it too much as she has very little spare time.
The Burden of Fame Weighs Heavy. Stu McCurdy.
2004 Has Been an Unusually Wet Year in New Mexico. The Grass is Not Always Like This.
One of the Champions Departing Over Scenic Terrain
Home! To Texas, It Looks Like.
Nice people, nice town, hospitable FBO in Adventure Aviation, with another FBO that is perfectly willing to share in the spoils.
Just kind of a comfortable family reunion. You regulars that made it, it was nice to see you. You regulars that missed it this year, I missed you. You new folks, like Orndorffs, it was nice you made it.
Larry Pardue
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Photos by Larry Pardue and Louise Hose, Except Pamela Angell Photo by Paul Rosales