Once again, I was able to make it over to El Cento, CA for their 61 st Annual IV Presidential fly- in. The Friday night get together was hosted by IV President Jeff Lyons and First Lady Cheryl Lyons’ at their residence. Dinner was catered in true Mexican style and if you went away hungry, it was your own fault because there was plenty. Of course, there was the usual camaraderie; story swapping and “how fast is your plane” bragging rights.
Saturday the flyers gathered at the Brawley airport for the balloon pop and short field landing contests. David Wakefield held the time trials trap this year. We got to see one plane that has not been seen around the Navion communities for quite a few years. It belonged to Ozzie Osborne. Ryan Douthitt and Guy Petree bought it and have it flying again. Some of you may have already seen this but it was my first time to see the IO 720 powered plane that Steven Stennis and Ryan have been working on.
Saturday night dinner was at Jeff and Cheryl’s again and was dedicated to Faye Douthitt. The order and handicaps for the Sunday morning race were announced. Of course, more good food catered by one of the local catering companies was served.
Sunday morning the west wind was blowing which hampered speed but that is part of the game.
Results below were submitted by David Wakefield.
61st Annual IV Navion Club Bob Douthitt Memorial Presidential Race Results
February 14th, 2021 Dateland, AZ to Douthitt Strip 116.4 Statute Miles
Finish
pos.
Pilot
N#
HP
Color
HC Speed
Race Speed
Race Time
HC Speed Difference
% of HC Speed
1.
Mike Mostrong
N929Z
310
Tan/White/Blue
210.00
192.66
36.15
-17.34
91.74%
2.
Ryan Douthitt
N5228K
310
Tan/White/Burgundy
212.65
194.55
35:55
-18.10
91.48%
3.
Brent Ashurst
N2783D
300
White/Black
192.51
179.46
38:55
-13.05
93.22%
4.
Bob Douthitt
N36W
310
Brown/Tan
204.34
189.78
36:48
-14.56
92.87%
5.
Shane Rogers
N444VP
285
White/Mint/RANG
184.00
160.12
43:37
-23.88
87.02%
6.
Kevin Williams
N70GH
280
Polished/Black #1
187.57
157.65*
44:18
-29.92
84.04%
*Left main gear issue
Average estimated 20 mph headwind during entire race.
After the race, the above results were announced as we ate a pancake breakfast in former Pre IV President Mike Mostrong’s hanger.
EAA AIR ADVENTURE. I got a call from Steve Neese, the Secretary of EAA Vintage at Oshkosh, who owns a 1946 Navion, asking if we had any plans for parking in the Vintage area this year since it is our 75th Anniversary. During our 70 th Anniversary, EAA Vintage gave us some premo parking close to the registration building, close to the showers and not too far from the Tall Pines Café, which Steve Neese runs. Steve put me in contact with Tim Fox who is in charge of Vintage parking.
In order to have reserve parking, we would need to form up at an airport away from Oshkosh, and then have a mass arrival coordinated with FAA control. In the past Vintage would set aside certain rows for specific aircraft. If the row didn’t fill at the same time and other arrivals had to taxi past open spaces, it made for real hard feelings. So Vintage had to change their policy too. If you want to park together, you have to arrive together.
In the Navion case we have quite a few that can/will park in the Warbird section so they can participate in the daily airshow. They are allowed to fly the Warbird arrival rather than the Ripon/Fisk arrival. Others want to park in the Vintage area. After considerable discussion with Tim, I had to say thanks but no thanks.
I will get a hold of Charlie Waterhouse, who schedules the forum in the Vintage Hanger, for a spot as we did in 2019. And we will plan on having a table in the Vintage Hanger also.
ANS CONVENTION 2021 Chairman Rusty Herrington feels we should go ahead and plan on Spearfish, SD, June 20 to June 25. The only reason that we would cancel is if the Biden Administration shuts down the National Parks. South Dakota has a common sense governor that hasn’t bowed to Washington D.C. pressure to stifle the economy but she would have to abide by a national mandate for national property.
The registration form in the January/February issue had some misinformation so please use the registration form in this issue. Please send us your registration ASAP as it really helps with our planning. We will not run your credit cards until June 1, 2021. If for reasons beyond our control we need to cancel after June 1, 2021, we will send you a complete refund.
May you always have blue skies & tail winds,
Gary
