Omahawk's Labor Day Air Show 2011

 

 

 

 

 

Hi all,
 
       Labor Day is very fast approaching, and I've got plenty of up-to-the-minute information for you all.


Weather:


       For the first time I can remember, the Labor Day weather forecast is unbelievably good.  Weather.com is currently predicting sunny skies, a high of 74F degrees, and winds from 4mph out of the SE.  It wouldn't surprise me to see the forecast changed to Thunder-snow sometime between now and Sunday evening, but if the forecast ends up being even close to correct, we're going to have a spectacularly nice September 5th for flying.
 
       Don't get spoiled.  Even if we luck out this year, we'll be back to 93F degrees and 40 mph gusts next year, I'm sure. 


Flying Schedule:
 

       Attached is the most current version of Monday's expected Labor Day Air Show Schedule. 
 
       Pilot Jim Thurman has confirmed that he will be joining us again this year, and he is now slated for a 12:40PM Pilot's Choice segment.  Jim really flew brilliantly at the 2009 Labor Day Air Show, and it will be a real treat having him back in the line-up.
 
       Dick Behrens and Larry Bailey contacted me about adding an Electric Glider segment, so we have that scheduled at 2:15PM with Larry Bailey as the Electric Glider segment coordinator.
 
      Dave Ross expressed some interest in flying with his son, Sam, in the trainer segment.  I've restructured the early part of the schedule to including the Trainer Segment.  It will begin with Casey and Gary Vohnout demonstrating basic flight control to the crowd while the instructors and students take off.  When Gary and Casey are finished, the trainer planes will already be air-born and the announcers will be able to segway seamlessly into the Trainer Segment.  Bob Wheeler doesn't know it yet, but he will be the Segment Leader for Trainers.
 
I        squeezed in a segment for Snoopy to fight the Red Baron.  As I type this, I don't know if the flying lawn mower will make it to the air show or not.  If it does, we'll use it to fill in if another segment gets scratched for some reason.
 

Parking Considerations:
 

       The front line of parking stalls along the railroad tie wall will be reserved for handicapped parking for spectators.  The parking stalls normally available next to the picnic shelter will be blocked off for Concessions and Raffle Tent use.
 
       I would appreciate it if as many pilots as possible could arrive early, drop off their gear, and take their vehicles off to the parking lot just northwest of the picnic shelter.  We need to leave as many parking spots as possible open for spectator use that are inside the gate to Hawk Field.
 
       We don't want to make unloading and parking a hassle, but there isn't a point to hosting the air show if spectators can't park to watch the show.  Thanks in advance for your help. 


Opportunities to Pitch In and Help:
 

       For folks who are looking for areas to help out, there are plenty of areas where an extra hand would be really appreciated: 

  • Ken Heimbuch will be looking for volunteers to help walk around the spectator areas with donation jars.

  • Mike and Molly Berger would appreciate two extra folks to help sell raffle tickets in the raffle tent.

  • Roger Brodd would greatly appreciate any volunteers who can help out with the main concession area, even for half an hour or so to give his regular crew a break.

  • Carmel Earl is putting together baked goods to sell.  Sending cookies or brownies packaged up in bags and ready to sell for $1 each would really help out.

  • We've been really fortunate by the overall lack of crashes during the last few Labor Day Air Shows.  Having somebody organize a "Search and Rescue" team to stand by in case somebody goes down in the woods sure sounds like a good idea.  Hopefully such a team would be bored, but if we do lose a trainer or sport plane out in the woods, it would be nice if the pilots or segment leaders knew it was being searched for and they could continue focusing on running their segments.

 
       If you'd like to volunteer to help out in any of these areas, please let me know.  I will put you in touch with the folks heading up the area of your choice.
 

What happens before the 12:00PM Noon start to the air show?
 

       We'll need hearty and helpful folks out at the field beginning around 8AM to begin setting up Public Address equipment, sun shades, concessions, and to help pilots unpack their vehicles before moving them out to the north parking lot.  My wife doesn't know it yet, but I'll probably put her in charge of having doughnuts and hot coffee available for folks helping set up early Monday morning.
 
       The flight line will be available for the tuning and testing of glow/gas engines no earlier than 9:00AM.  We try to be good neighbors with the folks who live around Standing Bear Lake, so avoid the use of IC engines or participating in scream therapy prior to 9AM.
 
       We will have a pilot meeting at 11AM sharp in the pit area at the center of the runway.  Please be present for the pilot meeting; we'll be able to get questions answered and match pilots to segment leaders as needed.
 
       At 11:45AM, all test flying and tuning will cease in preparation for the launch of the Red, White, and Blue aircraft and the singing of the national anthem.
 
       Once the show begins at 12PM noon,
DO NOT bother the announcers, Steve Peck and Ward Neesen, with questions while they're trying to MC the event.  Steve Culver and Ed Paasch are the flight line bosses (you'll be introduced to us at the pilot meeting that you won't be late for), and they will work with pilots and segment leaders to resolve any problems or answer questions as needed.
 
       Feel free to contact me with any additional thoughts or questions.  This is going to be a really terrific air show.  I'm looking forward to working with all of you to raise money for Make-A-Wish of Nebraska and to have a great time while doing it!  I'll see you at Hawk Field Monday morning.
 
       Ed Paasch
       (402) 510-8730

 
 
 

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