Middletown

[EDGEFLY]

With the big event coming up soon, I'm wondering how many of the regulars here are planning on making the trip. Hope to see you there!

[toms]

Not a regular anymore but I plan to fly the pickup down on Sat. if I can get off work. Need to re-up my membership too!

Tom Seevers
Delaware OH

[SteveF]

Planning on leaving Tuesday 6/17 in N3853E and have confirmation for restoration area of Air Force Museum.
Got hooked having a great time in 2012.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Leaving tonight at 10:30, if there's room on the plane. Staying at the Quality (?) Inn. See you there.
Paul

[toms]

My 81 year old Dad and I spent a few hours at Middletown today. Had to fly the pick up over but had a real good time. Got my dues caught up, looked at some great Aeroncas (even with the so-so weather in the region), got to spend some time talking with Don Jones and could have gone on the Aeronca/Magellan tour, but Dad was tired from walking around and drooling over the airplanes. I think his best time was trading stories with the WWII vet hanging out at Dons display,Dad was in during Korea but that didn't seem to make a difference to either one of them.
Hope to be retired, fly down and spend the whole weekend next time. God willing I'll bring the old man again.

Thanks for a great type club and fun fly in,
Tom Seevers
Delaware, OH

[Richard Murray]

THANK YOU!!!
To the President and Board of Directors who hosted this 17th Biennial Convention which gave our members an opportunity to see and experience everything Aeronca from a rare LB to some outstanding Chiefs and Champs, well done! The food was great! The atmosphere absorbing!

To Magellan Aerospace who provided us a tour and lunch plus a gift bag of memories, your employees are your most valuable resource and perfect ambassadors enlightening all who participated the mission of Magellan Aerospace (f.k.a Aeronca).

Here is a link to some pictures I took
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... sp=sharing

[Paul Agaliotis]

I had such a great time at the convention! Everyone needs to attend this get-together, it's hard to find an excuse when an Aeronca employee shows up, at 103 years old!
Craig issued a challenge for the C2/C3 bunch to be there in 2016. So, get started and plan to attend the NAA 2016 in your Aeronca's.
Paul

[james gevay]

How about someone writing something up with maybe some photos for the rest of who were stuck at home?

[Richard Murray]

James,

The NAA has a Facebook page and are publishing a newsletter again, in which they said they plan to highlight the convention and include a lot of pictures. The individuals involved are understandably exhausted and much information will be forthcoming soon I feel sure, when they've had a chance to get settled down from traveling.

[SteveF]

James - here's the write up - no pictures.

My impression of the 2014 NAA convention.

Arrived two days early and much preparatory activity going on already.
C2 being put together, convention merchandise store being setup, tie-down lines
being mowed in the grass, rides being given to Magellan Aero employees and
volunteers, etc. Volunteers were available to help people get to motels and
rental agencies or help with the needs of the on field campers.

There was a light turnout of aircraft due to rain and wind in the path of many of
the people flying to the convention. On the bright side was the desire and perseverance
to attend by a large number of people who drove, in many cases for multiple days.

The Air Force Museum is one of the top if not the top museum in the US. It has
the complete history of Air Force aircraft up personal and close. The behind the
scenes “X” planes was for me very special as I remember following these break
through aircraft as they set world records.

The rain cancelled the panoramic photo for Friday but then the weather improved
while a great dinner was served in the Middletown Museum hangar. The dinner
was followed by a short introduction of officers and their plans for the near future.
Late Friday night was capped off by another impressive lightning and rain show.

Saturday was sunny for most of the day so a few local area planes arrived to
strengthen the aircraft numbers. One of the incoming planes was a C2.
The C2 from Louisiana flew Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It was a chore
to get it started with wet mags but the able assistance of the young son of the
owner and perseverance allowed all to hear the music of the two cylinder engine
running.

Though there were many fine examples of many types of Aeronca planes the chance
to see an "L" series low wing radial engine Aeronca was a real thrill for me. Had only
seen pictures up to this point and now I have a lot of pictures taken by me.

Saturday had Judging of aircraft, a brisk business of rare parts at the fly market, many
new and renewal of memberships being done by volunteers, and a lot of hanger flying
by people from all over the globe (Europe, Australia, Canada, Colombia). A seminar by
Bill Pancake, as usual, was standing room only. A wide variety of what you think is
legal that is illegal and the hoops to get things approved was just a part of his
informative presentation. And yes the panoramic picture was finally taken.

I did not attend so can not comment on a presentation Friday after the dinner about one
of the aircraft covering products along with a hands on opportunity after Bill's seminar
on Saturday.

Saturday night was the Banquet. It was another great meal and fun presentation of
awards for aircraft, special accomplishments, and personal milestones by attendees.
The complete slate of officers and some special non-members were introduced. Well
deserved recognition was given to new and longtime volunteers and members.

A very special part of the convention will not soon be forgotten by any of the attendees.
The Magellan Aerospace Co., which is the current incarnation of the Aeronca Co gave
a guided tour of their facility. It was very interesting to see how large and small pieces
of the commercial and aerospace industries are made. The metallurgy, tolerances,
specialized new and ancient machinery, and insight into some of the international
intertwining of the aviation manufacturing business.

A large thank you is due this company that provides welcome gifts and a fun lunch
for the NAA and their past employees. The food and comradery is always first class.
The smiles on the NAA members are only exceeded by those on the faces of the
Magellan volunteers and employees.

Personally I had a blast at the convention!!

[james gevay]

Thank you very much Steve.