Half Fast Flying Adventures
 
The weather didn't cooperate, so we didn't make it to Blakesburg. Now, our fingers are crossed for blue skies ahead for the Stearman Fly-In in Galesburg. The fly-in lasts until Sunday morning, and all aviation enthusiasts are welcome to attend! I won't have my trusty netbook with me, so no blog updates until next Sunday night. Have a great week, and hope to see you in Illinois! 
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Weather permitting, we're taking a Stearman to Blakesburg's Antique Airfield Saturday morning for the Annual Antique Fly-In. I'll post pictures here on Sunday night! 
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Upcoming Events 08/30/2011
 
The next few weekends are sure to be pleasers for the local aviation community, especially for lovers of old aircraft. 

This Labor Day weekend is the annual Antique Fly-In in Blakesburg, Iowa. If you're a first-timer to the event, no problem. They have a first-timer's guide on their website. 

Beginning on Labor Day and going until Sunday, September 11, is the National Stearman Fly-In in Galesburg, Illinois. This is their 40th anniversary, so in addition to seeing over 100 Stearman in one place, there's an airshow and concert! Oh, and yeah, you don't need a Stearman to fly into the event. Visit their website for details. 

From there, Saturday, September 17 is Fly Iowa in Newton, Iowa. Visit their website for details. 

We plan to attend all these events. Hope to see you there!!
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We Have Gas... 08/26/2011
 
No, not that kind. We have av gas! Yep, we now have a 100LL gas tank at our hangar. Doesn't it look nice? 
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Waterloo, Iowa, is hosting the Cedar Valley Airshow this weekend: http://cedarvalleyairshow.com/
They have a pretty impressive line-up (which makes the airshow name -- Thunder in the Valley -- very appropriate), and the weather looks promising.Should be a great time! If we can wrap up some other commitments, we'll be there. If you're flying into the show, on Saturday and Sunday the TFR will be in effect from 12pm – 4:30pm.
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Whew... This month is flying by! Here are a few more pictures from last weekend, courtesy of Dan Sokolowski. Enjoy!
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Matthew showing Amy the ropes of their new Mule. I don't know much about these things except that they're awesome!
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Shameless Annabelle shot. Even she (and Brian) thinks the Sawhill's Mule is awesome.
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I love this interior view of Mark Godsil's AT-11 Twin Beech. (Dan (left), Brian (right))
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Matthew Sawhill wants to fly, darn it!
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Amy Sawhill in the gun turret of the TBM just before a ride. Lucky woman!
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Here are some photos from the Military Appreciation Day at the BNW airport on Saturday. Enjoy!
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Early morning at the BNW airport - full of warbirds!
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Mark & Celia Godsil brought over their gorgeous AT-11 (Twin Beech) from Illinois
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I'd love to have either of these planes: L-2 (Taylorcraft) and L-4 (Piper) flown by Keith Campbell
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Mike Henningsen brought his Big Beautiful Doll P-51 Mustang over from Atlantic. I love his plane so much!
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Texans! Brian brought our SNJ-5 (left), and John Ockenfels brought his AT-6 (right) - in the Iowa Air National Guard's yellow paint scheme
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Craig Sommerfeld brought his immaculate T-34 Mentor. There's always a crowd to take a look under the hood!
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Brad Deckert flew in his awesome TBM Avenger from Peru, Illinois. Brad was kind enough to offer a flight. I was out of town so I missed my chance to fly in one (dang!), so Amy Sawhill grabbed the seat. You'll have to ask her how it was!
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If you've seen the news, an airplane that looks just like our stock Stearman was involved in a tragic accident this weekend at Saylorville Lake near Des Moines. This was not Brian and me. Our hearts go out to the victims' families. 

Tonight I'll begin to post pictures and stories from Boone's Military Appreciation Day held on Saturday. Have a great start to the week!
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I'm heading out for a conference in Philly until Sunday. So here's a quick update. Brian will have all three airplanes (weather permitting) at Boone on Saturday for Military Appreciation Day. Be sure to stop by because it will be awesome (guaranteed). I'll be there in spirit. :) 

This photo has absolutely nothing to do with this update. It was just the first one I came across. Dan "una mas" Sokolowski snapped a photo of the Texan's back seat "very original" instrument panel at cruising speed. (*sigh*) It makes me want to go flying. 

No more updates until Monday. Have a great week everyone! 
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Hangar Bunnies 08/08/2011
 
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It's time to clean the hangar when the dust bunnies turn into real bunnies. Brian found a fluffy baby bunny snuggling in the door frame. I wanted to adopt it, Annabelle wanted to eat it, and Brian said to let it go. He won. Probably for the best. Guess we'll have to figure out something else for the Half Fast mascot.
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