Friday, the IAC Chapter 3's BearCreek Boogie 'hurried up and waited', as Tim put it, due to rain. Naturally, the small group of aerobatic pilots made the best of it regrouping today and grilling out while they waited for the ceiling to rise. As Marty explained to me, they need about 4,000 ft ceilings to compete and the ceilings were roughly 2,600 when I arrived.
I introduced myself and talked to a few of the pilots as they ate. I've said before, and it proves itself over and over that people in aviation are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Where else can I walk in completely unannounced, not knowing anyone and fit right in?
Soon, Tim had us at the flight line where the competitors had their planes all lined up and ready to go. I've never met a plane I didn't fall in love with and this was no different. As we toured the line of high-performance Pitts and Extras, Tim told me a little about his training and about some of the judges and pilots that were hoping to fly today. Apparently, the show we were missing was amazing.
On the way back to the hangar, I found a museum that I didn't even know existed. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum is hidden between two sets of hangars. This gem houses the Army's Cobra chopper demonstration team as well as a collection of Vietnam-era Hueys and attack choppers. I'll have more on that later along with more pictures of the demonstration cobras.
I'll keep my ear to the ground and have the final say on the IAC competition Monday morning. Check back!
In general, it was a great trip to an airport I'd never been to before.
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