I loved the KBFF!
I loved the KBFF!
Sorry, no photos so this is probably not the correct place for my rambling about the KBFF. I was not able to find another place that is correct. Events are in the future and there is nothing in general discussion, so here it is.
I saw a lot of friends and spent some very special time with a few.
I got a hug from Marion and basked in the warmth of her love for gyroplanes and the joy of our friendship. As I watched her fly and encounter some challenges I stopped breathing even though I felt confident that her vast experience and skill would pull her through. The challenges of her age seem to slip away when her wheels leave the ground.
Lonnie shone her light on the event in so many ways and expressed her energy and enthusiasm every where she went.
I spent quite a while with Mike on Friday and we reinvigorated our friendship on what turned out to be our last visit. We shared our feelings in a way that was complete and appropriate. There are many things unsaid but no feelings misunderstood. I have many lovely memories and a lot of valuable inspiration.
I was fortunate to spend time with Bob A and his beautiful white Continental powered gyroplane that was built around the same time as the Predator with a similar sphere of influence. I learned a great deal and found much inspiration. I loved the relaxed way they flew and the sound was music to my ears.
I renewed my friendship with and admiration for Bob Lewis and learned more about the Predator and how Mark feels about things.
I was able to spend time touching Dennis’s amazing collection of tubes in an amazing and unique gyroplane. He was kind enough to spend a lot of time explaining his thoughts behind so much innovative thinking. Saturday night he was honored with the Pilot and Machine award that is a vote of the participants of the KBFF.
Paul Plack showed up with his team from Utah and injected his insightful wit into the day. It is always fun to visit with Paul and try to keep up with his very fast eclectic banter.
Dennis Fetter’s Air Command was an inspiration in the attention to detail and Dennis and his brilliant friend, Guido honored me with a great deal of time on Saturday. It is exciting to peak through Dennis’s window as he shared his vision of gyroplanes. As always he was very patient with and responsive to my questions and generous with his time and knowledge.
Guido is one of my engine heroes. His vast experience and knowledge expanded my universe. I felt fortunate that he spent so much time sharing his wisdom. He filled many pages of one of Ed’s notebooks trying to illustrate some of the concepts he was trying to get across about the mission of an engine driving a propeller. He had a remarkable insight into the history and vision of Rotax and shared many of their challenges and successes along the road to today and tomorrow. He understood Lycoming and Continental aircraft engine history and evolution in a way I had not previously encountered.
Wayne popped in and out of many conversations. He was, as always, kind and sensitive and stood clear when asked. I witnessed his judgment and experience in a very challenging situation. I hope Wayne is around when I need help. I am proud to know him and he continues to grow on me.
Teddy was generous in sharing his “modification” to his gyroplane and his friendship and kindness made it easier to deal with his incessant flirting with Ed.
Marie still looks like she is in her fifties and I reveled in her hospitality.
Mark Sanders shared his steak with me when I thought that Brandon had become distracted and was going to let me down. His kind act enhanced the meal.
I was fortunate to spend time with my good friend Brandon who would never actually let me down and enjoyed some of his wonderful cooking. I do not have the words to describe how much I enjoy him.
Scott Hedger added to the fun in so many ways and Ed got a great picture of him flying at sunset. His friend was fun and had a great voice and a nice presence.
Brita and Mark are always a joy and Marks machine was elegant in so many details. 400 pounds for a 912 powered machine. He has created the best POH I have ever seen for an experimental gyroplane. I found his quiet competence a lovely addition to Britta’s bubbly enthusiasm.
Karen seemed to work nonstop as she reveled in the freedom of her new fitness.
I missed the adventure of last year flying to El Mirage but it was made up for by the time I had to interact with my friends and bask in the passion and history of gyroplanes.
I finally met Ben face to face and he is the personification of a gentlemen. His manner and attitude was a pleasure to be around. We started to leave without saying goodbye and after I looped around in the big silver van I felt that it was a fitting way to finish the event. To spend a little time with a new friend that is tough, elegant and loves gyroplanes.
Spending the weekend with Ed is always magic; she took close to 2,500 pictures. Seeing the world through her artist’s eyes always expands my world. She is reviewing them now and from time to time she will bubble over with excitement when she comes across a special moment captured on camera. She wants to review them all and sort them before she posts so people won’t have to look at them all to find the special ones. I think they are all special but she feels that is just because I love her and she discounts my praise. There is something magic about the lake in the darkness and the mist in the morning.
I am desperate to fly and as we floated along in the Van with it’s panoramic windshield view I kept remarking to Ed on how different things would look from the air.
I kept checking my GPS for altitude as we found our way home and I believe I can stay below 5,000 feet msl if we go along State Highway 138 to Gorman, slide through the Tejon pass and across state highway 166 over Maricopa and New Cuyama back to Santa Maria. I think that is the way we will return home next year as long as it is not too windy. I always prefer to make a loop and it avoids the afternoon fog along the coast. Conditions permitting, we will still fly down the coast and spend the night in Santa Paula. Then fly up to William J Fox field in the cool morning air and over to El Mirage. I feel it will be a lovely loop and a great adventure in 2010.
I have to go back to work so many of the event’s adventures will go unreported. If I didn’t mention a valuable interaction I apologize, I am just out of time. I enjoyed every one I met and every interaction.
Thank you all for your kindness, Vance