Fly-Out to Friday Harbor June 7, 2024

EAA Chapter 430 held this month’s flyout to Friday Harbor on June 7. After several months of somewhat challenging weather, the morning dawned with cloudless skies and the promise of shirt-sleeve lunchtime temperatures. The temperature did, in fact, reach 75º, making for a very pleasant walk from the airport to the Down-riggers restaurant.

Friday Harbor is an annual favorite place to fly, and today was no exception. The group today totaled 15, exceeding expectations. As such, no warning had been provided to the restaurant when we sheepishly asked if they could seat the entire cadre. Bear in mind we were standing in a line of waiting patrons when we reached the sign-in podium, and I’m sure those behind us were mortified at our number. But graciously, the staff asked us to wait only five minutes while they added tables and chairs, arranging them in adjacent settings of seven and eight. We all had a view of the marina and watched the ferry boats come and go as we ate.

This flyout featured a diversified group of fliers ranging from current airline pilots to a student pilot (about two weeks from taking his private pilot check ride). The nine attending aircraft carried Aiden Lara, Ernie Hansen, Richard and Mary Ann Howell, Rick and Donna Stoffel, Scott and Annette Alair, Bud Davies, Tom Roorda, Barry and Tracy Halsted, newcomer to our flyouts Carl Peecher with his son Doug, and (joining us from Bremerton’s EAA Chapter 406) Mike Friend.

This day’s weather gives us a glimpse of what’s ahead. We’re looking forward to more beautiful Northwest flyouts in the months to come.