An Optimist at SnF

[kyleb]

So last night at about 7:30 I was in the West campgrounds at SnF. I heard the putt-putt-putt of a slow mover departing the show and looked up to see a pretty 7AC (small tail) painted in the standard factory scheme departing the show.

My thoughts were: Pretty airplane. How far does that guy think he's gonna go in the 20 minutes before it gets dark.

For what it is worth, I saw more Champs and Chiefs at the show than I'd noticed in recent years, and also noticed a pretty Sedan departing.

[David Johnson]

Kyle, glad you got to go. Overall, what were your impressions? Hoping the new boss does well. However, I have noticed someone seems to be filtering the web content in reference to SnF. They ought to let the chips fall where they may. Thanks! David J.

Oops, disregard. Just found Kyle's post on the Van's forum......

[kyleb]

For those of you who don't follow VAF...

SnF was very nice. Great weather and an improved airshow. More "interesting" acts and fewer unlimited solo aerobatic acts. Those guys are great, but they are all very similar, and seeing 3, 4, or 5 of them in an afternoon is more than I need. The night airshow on Friday was outstanding. Something to plan for if you ever have the opportunity.

All of the vendors I wanted to see were there. My big disappointment was not getting to participate in the welding or metal working workshops.

I've been to the show probably 15 out of the last 18 years, and I'd say the attendance was pretty typical, although you can tell the organizers are trying to bring in more local visitors, since the pilot population is on a declining path.

My biggest gripe with the show is all of the rules. They seem to have created a substantial set of new security rules and procedures, and have mostly taken common sense out of the mix. That may be because of TSA or FAA issues or because they are bringing in more non-pilots, so they need to protect those people better than they used to protect us pilots - we understand blind spots and spinning props. Non-pilots may not.