36 hours of engagement
May 23, 2010 by Craig Fuller
AOPA Live producer Warren Morningstar traveled with me to capture the trip for AOPA Live. Here is a glimpse into our whirlwind tour.
Friday, May 21
Depart FDK at 12:49 PM…Arrive SAT at 3:39 PM
I paused for a picture in front of Glacier Girl with Rod Lewis and flight department manager Bob Cardin.
We enjoyed a smooth flight from Frederick to San Antonio. Upon arrival, we stepped into Lewis Energy Group’s Hangar One where Rod Lewis has assembled a collection of beautiful aircraft. Glacier Girl, recovered from beneath a glacier is one of the most interesting. Rod and Bob who manages his fleet paused for a photograph.
After a tour of Hangar One, I enjoyed the chance to participate in one of our AOPA Town Hall meetings. These sessions are always lively and they give me a chance to hear directly from our members about what is on their minds.
Dinner followed with some of AOPA’s strongest supporters, and our traveling party got a good night’s rest.
Saturday, May 22
Depart SAT at 6:40 AM…Arrive ALO at 8:52 AM
I presented Senator Grassley with AOPA's "Friends of Aviation" award.
Our wheels stopped next to Livingston Aviation at Iowa’s Waterloo Airport exactly at our scheduled arrival time of 9 a.m. The fog had burned off nicely (ALO was at 1/4 mile in fog when we left SAT). Tim Newton from Livingston Aviation played host to a few hundred people that were already gathering for a pancake breakfast. As we looked around, a Cessna Caravan was being loaded with jumpers who provided an exciting opening ceremony.
Soon, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley arrived. We would share the podium for a discussion with our AOPA members and then conduct a Town Hall session as part of our effort to engage with members of the general aviation caucuses formed last year in the House and Senate. Senator Grassley shared his views and expressed his strong support for general aviation.
Depart ALO at 12:00 PM…Arrive ANE at 1:00 PM
We lifted off from Waterloo and slowly made our way to Anoka, Minnesota, and the Blaine Aviation Weekend. We needed a thunderstorm to pass through before we were able to shoot an approach through some lingering rain showers that would soon give way to blue skies.
The audience in Minnesota was engaged and well-informed!
After another great exchange, John gathered his team for a farewell shot next to N4GA.
We departed about 4:45 p.m. for our home base in Frederick where we told our spouses and colleagues we’d arrive by 8 p.m.. After dodging buildups that topped our 41,000-foot altitude, we descended for landing and a 7:54 p.m. touchdown.
We had visited three states and three airports, met with several hundred of our members, and returned in just over 36 hours. It was a fulfilling trip and one possible only by general aviation!
Today, it’s Sunday…and we are resting!
May 28th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Dear Craig,
I attended your meeting in San Antonio last week and greatly enjoyed meeting and visiting with you. Getting the “inside” story on all things aviation was an opportunity not to be missed. The only problem was that many of my AOPA buddies were not aware of the meeting and greatly regret not attending. I called several friends and notified them, but it was too short notice.
Again, thanks for all you do to help preserve the true freedom and priveledge that is GA!