Goldy Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 OK, for all you experimental fliers (not many on this board), the Ken Brock fly in is this weekend out on the lakebed as usual. Many start arriving Thursday, the event starts Friday. A great weekend filled with Gyro's, experimentals, Safari's, B47's, helicycles, and the like. We'll have an R44 up there, sometimes an R22 will show up. Lots of fun and food and things that spin. I'll post some pix like I do every year....for more info here is the main website: http://www.pra.org/ If anyone plans to attend, please PM me so we can exchange cell numbers and try to hook up. Cell reception up there is spotty, text messaging is best. Hope a few of you out there come along. Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick McWilliams Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) Goldy,I presume that it is at El Mirage dry lake. Do we land at the glider field? What are hours and dates? Is the landing zone dusty? Is the landing zone suitable for fixed wing? Ooops I missed the website? The web information is a bit spotty for me. It sounds like a drive in event. Is prior permission required? Edited September 23, 2009 by Rick McWilliams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Goldy,I presume that it is at El Mirage dry lake. Do we land at the glider field? What are hours and dates? Is the landing zone dusty? Is the landing zone suitable for fixed wing? Ooops I missed the website? The web information is a bit spotty for me. It sounds like a drive in event. Is prior permission required? Rick, their website has a lot to be desired. You are asked to call or email ahead, just so they have a head count. However, it is not mandatory. You land at the extreme N west end of the lake bed itself...the public area, not the private ranch to the west. Yes, it is at El Mirage, yes there is a large landing area (west of the line of tents and trailers) in a North or South direction. Often times a couple F/W will fly in....you have plenty of width and length, and usually a flat surface....watch for any tracks made in the mud... I don't know if there is any dedicated freq's, I assume just 123.02. Winds are generally out of the south or south east. I'll be sure to bring my handheld, and our R44 should be up there, so we'll answer any call to 688SS. I will be up there Friday night, so if you have any questions about flying in Sat, just text me and I'll get you an answer. Most fly or drive in Thurs and Friday, show off Sat, and pack up on Sunday. There is a BBQ Fri and Sat night, bring your own meat.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Go to www.rotaryforum.com and you can find the event info. I am a PRA member,and yes they are trying to upgrade the PRA website. The home of PRA Popular Rotorcraft association is in Menton Indiana. It is from what I hear, a fun event with lots of flying and great food and fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Go to www.rotaryforum.com and you can find the event info. I am a PRA member,and yes they are trying to upgrade the PRA website. The home of PRA Popular Rotorcraft association is in Menton Indiana. It is from what I hear, a fun event with lots of flying and great food and fun. Just got back home, didn't want to stay for the whole thing since I was sleeping in my Explorer. Lots of aircraft showed up, about 14 Gyro's, 3 or 4 helicopters, and 7 or 8 fixed wings...another couple LSA type craft as well. 103 on the tarmac and 3500 MSL or so makes for a mean take off ! I'll post some pix later, Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick McWilliams Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I am looking forward to the photos. I will try to make the next event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 (edited) sadly,I have to report, we lost one of our Pilots,"Mad Man", Mike Shallmann was killed in a motorcycle wreak on the lake bed in the evening Saturday. Our prayers go out to his family and friends. Mike has been a PRA member for many years and built and flew his own designed Gyroplane that had a polish aluminum body on it and was powered by a Subaru engine. He was a No b.s. kind of guy who told tell it like it was, but was also the kind of guy that would go out of his way to help someone that needed help with their Gyro. R.I.P. Mad Man. Edited September 28, 2009 by Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyNHighNFast Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 RIP. It really sucks when a joyous get together ends up with someone dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 sadly,I have to report, we lost one of our Pilots,"Mad Man", Mike Shallmann was killed in a motorcycle wreak on the lake bed in the evening Saturday. Our prayers go out to his family and friends. Mike has been a PRA member for many years and built and flew his own designed Gyroplane that had a polish aluminum body on it and was powered by a Subaru engine. He was a No b.s. kind of guy who told tell it like it was, but was also the kind of guy that would go out of his way to help someone that needed help with their Gyro. R.I.P. Mad Man. Crazy Steve and I both left Saturday afternoon, so this is the first I am hearing about this! Unbelievable! I have some photos of Mike flying his ship on Saturday. I'll post one in his memory. Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I set up camp just yards away from this ship. He was having some trouble with his pre-rotator so he couldnt fly. An hour later and some banging away, and he was airborne. Is this Mike? Same ship, same tail number. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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