PIGS, PLANES, AND PEOPLE

The energy here at Eagles Nest Airpark has spiked recently.

The well-worn windsock was replaced with a crisp new one and the grass is greening-up nicely on the runway.

Last night, after spending the day driving around Daytona with the top down and checking out the classic car event, Peter and I attended Harvey’s annual pig roast on an empty lot next to the runway. I must confess, with the savory meat essence wafting through the air, I was quite pleased I gave up being vegetarian some years ago.

Guests from Mont Royal and Spruce Creek Airparks arrived in all kinds of planes. Flying in were a Carbon Cub, Cessna 172, Hatz bi-plane, Globe Swift, and a Piper Aztec. With the pilots came delicious pot-luck dishes and interesting stories of people embracing a life less ordinary. “This ain’t your usual Sunday picnic,” I pondered while milling about to catch the fascinating conversation spilling out into the evening air.

The pig roast is a terrific opportunity to meet neighboring airpark residents and enjoy the perfect Florida temperatures spring reliably delivers.

Speaking of spring, the Albatross Lady, Julie Fetcko, ramped up her usual frenzied pace as she puts the final touches on her real estate display booth while juggling property showings.

Flagging down her speeding red golf cart, I grill her about the “who’s who” of soon-to-be residents. From the U.K., Canada, Germany, and all crags and corners of the United States, Baby Boomers are zooming into the Florida Airpark way of life, and their backgrounds are as colorful as an African sunset.

According to Julie, energy levels and events tend to peak in anticipation of one of general aviation’s most loved events, the Sun ’N Fun International Fly-in and Expo. Billed as “Spring Break for Pilots and Friends,” Sun ‘N Fun will be held from March 29th- April 3rd, 2011, in Lakeland, Florida.

Hosted by the Florida Air Museum, the annual event brings aviators and exhibitors together for fun, education and networking.

If you are flying in, print out the 2011 NOTAM CLICK HERE.

For driving directions, CLICK HERE.

Next post, I’ll be exploring the ins and outs of the historic town, Palatka, Florida. You may be surprised to discover what little-known aviation secret hides at the Municipal Airport.

FLYING INTO FEAR

Life is really interesting in an airpark--each morning when the first rays of light nudge me out of my sleep, I wonder what surprises lay ahead.

I have a spectacular view of the water runway from my pillow and am usually entertained by the pleasant drone of our neighbor’s Sea Ray as he dutifully practices early morning take-offs and landings. It’s a sane sort of flying, and I really admire it.

Peter, however, has a single seat Pitt’s Special bi-plane. He started flying aerobatics at the age of 62. I’ve been watching his routine from the safety of our dock while sipping my Italian Roast coffee. Pittsy, as we affectionately call it, is the human equivalent of a chubby, hyper kid with a propeller beanie hat and too much allowance.

The plane is painted a Popsicle orange and easily spotted against the backdrop of the blue sky. As Pittsy spins, rolls and loops through the air with the grace of an Eagle on Redbull, I’ve often wondered, “Is Peter insane? What kind of a nut flips a plane upside down, snaps it into a roll and kills the engine—on purpose?”

I’m the gal who hates the Tea Cup ride at Disney world. In fact, I would rather wrestle starving alligators than ride anything that spins.

That said, at 3:58 p.m., the surprise showed up. My neighbor, Doug Vayda, arrived home from his job selling “Extra” airplanes, in a Waco. A great big papa bear of an aerobatic bi-plane with a roaring rotary engine.

“Do ya wanna ride?” He asked me.

“Yeah, sure, but no funny business,” I warned. There was no possible way I was doing any loops or rolls today or any other day.

I knew Doug’s, “No problem” response was not to be trusted. After all, I’m pretty sure he’s the kind of guy that spent way too much time in the principal’s office.

I climbed clumsily into the big white beast and was surprised at how beefy the front seat was. I’m used to small spaces in our Cub and Cessna. My childlike excitement ramped up when the plane began to taxi and the wind blew into the open cockpit whirling my hair into a frenzy. “Crap! I forgot to tie my hair back! How many hours would it take to get the knots out?” I pondered.

The nose was so high up, I could not see any of the runway. I asked Doug how in the world he taxied without a view. “Braille,” he quipped. Throttle all the way forward, we were quickly away and flying low and slow at about 500 feet and 100 knots.

The Waco was just as I imagined in my romantic heart; graceful, gentle and sweet. Like sipping Mint Juleps on a porch swing bathed in the fragrant air of a spring night. I don’t know exactly where the bit of braveness came from that soon found me saying, “Okay, maybe just one roll.” I vowed not to shut my eyes.

Doug obliged as he led the Waco into a Barrel Roll. Nose fiercely down as he picked up speed then pulled hard back on the stick until the world swept by me in one gloriously rolling motion.

Then a loop.

It’s analogous to a woman born without taste buds who suddenly finds them cured, and discovers chocolate and red wine for the first time.

No butterflies. No nausea. No urge to scream, “HELP@#$*&$%*!”

Just bliss.

What a lovely surprise. Life-long fear transformed into desire in one brief, rapturous moment.

I have a new problem these days.

There is no reasonably priced aircraft to make the leap from a single- seat Pitt’s to a two-seat aerobatic.

In fact, you’d think that a two-seater is nearly the same price as a one-seat aircraft with just the expense of a teensy bit more space in the fuselage. Not so. That extra seat is going to cost you twice the price. Slightly bigger engine, wings, same panel, same wheels. Roughly ten percent more airplane and twice the price. That’s pretty expensive square footage.

Although the budget may not allow me to pursue my new desire, we are fortunate to live in an airpark with people, airplanes and visitors who are a constant source of new adventures and inspirations.

USEFUL TIPS

1. U.S. aviation regulations are fairly liberal for aerobatic enthusiasts. Take off, land, flip, spin and twirl at your leisure. From Eagles Nest, there are endless places to practice.

2. You will find many good aerobatic schools within reasonable distance around Florida. While Peter was self-taught, he did his check ride at Wings Over Aerobatics with Steve Wolfe.

3. There are a few reasonably priced entry level aerobatic planes such as the Decathlon, Citabria etc. Doug Vayda knows all the ins and outs of aerobatic sales at Southeast Aero.

JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA

While enjoying a spectacular flight up the Florida coast from Eagles Nest (FD44), Peter and I decided to call in on one of our favorite destinations, the Georgian barrier island, Jekyll.

Eighty miles north of St. Augustine, the state park with its miles of pristine shoreline, Gilded era architecture, maritime forests, quaint shops and heaping doses of genuine southern hospitality, will entertain eco-tourists, history buffs and boutique shoppers alike.

Although completely unannounced, we were met on the tarmac by fellow aviator, Rich Van Iderstyne, owner of Red Bug Motors. Rich generously provided us with a complimentary electric vehicle for the afternoon. His only request-- If we were staying for lunch, to please dine at Red Bug Motor's Pizza and Pub located next to the Great Dunes Golf Course

Grateful for the free use of the car, we were happy to oblige and were not disappointed with our selection, Johnny's Italian Sub. The eclectic menu offered everything from traditional pub fare, like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, to specialty pizza and even Greek food. Their outdoor patio even welcomes your furry companions- dogs that is, although, husbands are welcome, too.

After a satisfying lunch, we drove to the north end of the island for a mystical stroll on one of my favorite haunts, Driftwood Beech. The stark parade of once thriving trees have become a mesmerizing gallery of naturally carved art forms.

After our romantic stroll, we motored to Jekyll's historic district. Most visitors learn the island was purchased in 1886 by America's richest families, including the Rockefeller, Pulitzers, and Morgans, and used for more than 50 years as the country's most elite winter escape, until the depression, at which time the resort became derelict.

What fewer guests find out, is that the U.S Federal Reserve was conceived at the luxury camp to protect its rich members from competition. Stealthily meeting at the remote location, seven men representing one fourth of the world's wealth convinced the public and congress that the reserve was an agency of the United States Government . History's greatest slight-of-hand.

"Some people think that the Federal Reserve Banks are United States Government institutions. They are private monopolies which prey upon the people of these United States for the benefit of themselves and their foreign customers; foreign and domestic speculators and swindlers; and rich and predatory money lenders."

– The Honorable Louis McFadden, Chairman of the House Banking and Currency Committee in the 1930s.

Simply put, the goal was two-fold; to keep the nation's public in debt, slaving away to pay interest to private lenders until the day they died, and to create a banking cartel that was competition proof. The Federal Reserve is also known as "The Creature from Jekyll Island."

What the clever industrialists left behind, was an authentic collection of stunning southern architecture just perfect for wandering around whilst eating ice-cream.

With its sweeping romantic porches and captivating Victorian turret, the village centerpiece is Jekyll Island Club hotel. I most enjoyed the restored cottages surrounding the landmark, now converted into quaint gift shops and art galleries. The history of each cottage is posted outside the front doors. From groundskeepers, to boat captains and carpenters, the laymens' quarters have their own unique micro-history.

At the end of a perfectly wonderful day, Peter and I chatted again with Rich Van Iderstyne when returning the Red Bug. We discovered that not only was Rich a pilot mentoring young aspiring pilots; he spearheaded the movement to save the Jekyll Island runway from extinction by taking on powerful developers and winning!

We general aviation folks owe it to Rich to stop in and take advantage of the free use of the runway and enjoy all that Jekyll Island has to offer.

USEFUL TIPS

1. Be sure to watch out for the beautiful views of St. Augustine when passing over.

2. Between St. Augustine, and Jekyll, be on the lookout for Amelia Island which is immediately south of the Georgia border.

3. The islands just north of Amelia are home to wild horses.

4. There are hotels in every budget, from $50 per night as well as camp sites.

5. Beach bikes and kayaks are available for rent.

6. Horseback riding on the beach is offered at $60 per hour.

7. Dolphin tours and fishing expeditions are available at the marina.

8 . FAA IDENTIFIER 09J Airnav link

9. For more info: www. jekyllisland.com