 Toledo: Bruce Brown's
Fly-In
by Jeff Goin
August 15, 2001
Maybe the future will have us come to think of
"Toledo" in the same way general aviation folks think of
"Oshkosh". Like the Parastar's convention in FL, this event attracted
flyers from a wide area who were looking for a get together and air time. They
were not disappointed as both were had in abundance.
The flying site, about 7 miles Southeast of Toledo's airline
airport, was a mowed hay field sized perfect for launching in any direction. Its
bordering obstructions posed no problem because of the fields large size. Many
thanks also to the farmer; this friend of PPG not only allows the use of the
field, but was kind enough to mow it only a few days earlier in preparation for
this event.
Just added: The reserve clinic
pictures!
The People
Bruce Brown (left below), of Fly-Ohio Paragliding hosted the
event for the pure joy of it and did a wonderful job. There was no charge unless
the pilot attended a reserve clinic offered by Betty Pfifer (which was her
charge for airlining out there). The flying was free although voluntary
donations can be made to help defray the costs which included the porta-pottie
and rental tents (Bruce never asked for any though).
Alex Varv (2nd from left) helped with many aspects of the
event including assisting at least one pilot back in the with a sick engine.
Jeff Baumgartener (3rd. from left) put up the first windsock and hauled my body
(4th from left with Jeff B.) from the Wood Co. airport to the flying field
(thanks!).
John
Phillips (right, fueling) drove the van which allowed Brian S. to fly his airplane in to the wood
Co. Airport. They came for the reserve clinic but wound up sneaking out to go
flying Thursday evening.
This
remotely piloted reconnaissance aircraft (right) kept tabs on folks while at the
field. As if PPG flying wasn't enough, Dan Kriesler lofted this little fellow
periodically. Electrically powerd, it could only run for about 4 minutes but
flew quite well in that time.
On a related note, a fun activity proffered by Dan & Co.
was this: drop one of the little GI Joe type parachute guys and try to catch him
as you fly. Obviously this must be done high enough and with the motor off so as
to prevent potential prop chewage.
The Scenery
On
day 2 Jeff Baumgartener and I set out on a small cross country. Then Jeff went
back to the field and Wally Shilts joined me for the remainder of the trip as we
cruised down the Maumee River and all about the countryside.
This
isn't as close as it looks. Wally is on the right side of the road and the
car is passing him. The sparsely traveled road goes west towards the Maumee
River. It had no power lines or trees beside it and was just too inviting. I had
been flying down the centerline and moved over when traffic came, then Wally
moved to the right side, offering this perfect photo-op.
The area adjacent to the fly-in field was mostly farm land
although housing developments were imminent as with most areas.
   
Later in the day Dan Kreisler, Wally Shilts and I went on another
trip to find Bruce's house. We flew up the river to avoid the congested areas
and also found some other cool scenery.
The
morning of Day 2 (Friday) was hazy but otherwise nice. Those of us who started
early were rewarded by calm winds and smooth conditions. It became cloudy before
clearing up into a gorgeous day around 3pm. The advantage of the early cloudiness was that it was smooth enough for most of us to fly until nearly 2pm.
The
sun was shining bright by late Friday evening and the winds died enough for most
to get good airtime. Wally Shilts is behind me on the yellow Silex (left).
On Saturday morning a news crew came out from Toledo's channel
11. They did several live segments from the field while we flew around. Bruce
gave demonstrations explaining the sport. Dan K danced for the camera (2nd from
the left below).
  
The TV Crew interviews Bruce Brown wearing an
Airfer Bimax Tandem motor while Danny K. of the "Dukes" puts on a show
(Above center). Danny K and Ed Ross huddle around Danny's Fresh Breeze
"Monster"...smiling wildly (far right above). this picture came from the local newspaper.
   
Above, from L to R is Dan K flying an Elle wing on a Fresh
Breeze motor, next is Nick Scholtes nursing another year out of his original UP
Vision, 3rd from the left is the hotel where most of us stayed and on the R is my
parting shot as I headed back to Chicago in a 1956 Bonanza.
Below, Alex Varv and others attended the reserve clinic given
by Betty Pfeiffer, one of the larger makers of reserve systems for PPG's. The
clinic moved from a YMCA to a basement and finally outside where deployments
were practiced and chutes "kited". Reserve parachutes have saved at
least one powered paraglider pilot's life. These pictures are courtesy of Alex
Varv.
     
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