EAA Chapter 430April Flyout to Arlington: Quite the Airshow!!
Open the PDF at page 4 See the whole April 2025 issue
Friday, April 4, provided us with green grass, blue skies, warm temperatures and light winds. What a nice day for a flyout! Apparently, others agreed; eleven airplanes carrying 18 adventurous souls met in front of Ellie’s restaurant at the Arlington Airport for lunch.
Our scheduled arrival was to be 11:30, allowing time for photographs before traipsing over to the restaurant for lunch. Amazingly, all were on time! Those arriving included John Ward in his Pipistrel Sinus, Ken and Skip Brown in their RV-9A, Scott Alair with Sid Vandiver in Scott’s Lancair Legacy, Richard Howell in his Sling, Carl and Deanna Hicks in their Cessna 180, Jay Pearlman in his J-3 replica, Jeff Smith in his RV-8A, Rick and Donna Stoffel in their RV-4, Bill and Dot Shepherd in their Swift, Bud Davies and Scott Brooksby in Bud’s Cessna 152, and, of course, Tracy and myself in our Piper PA-11.
Where was our fearless chapter president? Ray Ballantyne normally attends our flyouts, even if it means missing a highly anticipated golf game, but this time his ride was in Oregon having new avionics installed. More costly than lunch!
It’s always a challenge for the restaurants we visit on our flyouts to seat people in a large group near each other. Most do a great job, as did Ellie’s this day. Seating took three tables which were adjacent, allowing visible communication for all and audible communication among most. Windows provided views of airplanes taking off and landing, what more could we ask for? Service was excellent – hats off for Ellie’s!
Our flyouts allow get together time in a relaxed atmosphere not found in our other chapter activities. Seating arrangements result in new friendships and conversations include all kinds of subjects. Every time I attend one of these, I learn something new about the people that have come. I noticed as Tracy and I taxied for departure that several conversations were still ongoing on the ramp.
The flight home for Tracy and me was smooth with wonderful views of mountains, water and islands, and we enjoyed the memories we shared and stories we heard. I’m sure the others that gathered at Ellie’s today had a similar experience.
Barry
