
WAMM Fly-in October, 2002
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Daytime temperatures in the low 80's
and cool evenings made for very pleasant hangar-flying conditions for our
last fly-in of 2002. A total of ten Mites were there, although not
all at one time. Likewise, a head count would have shown a list of 20
enthusiasts, several of whom were not there for every meal.
Hosts Ben
Favrholdt and Bill Vandersande once again
made us all feel welcome, and played a major part in making our fly-ins
the largest Mite gatherings in the world. Gil Gilbert of Kent, WA
flew Alaska Air to Fresno and arrived by rented car, as did David
Favrholdt and Dave Rutherford who took Alaska from Vancouver,
BC to San Francisco. One-time Mite owner Glenn Bell flew one of
Michael Harms' three Mites down from The Bay area, accompanied by
Michael of course. Ted Reusch, who has become a regular, flew over
from Banning, CA. Dependable Ernie Buenting came by Mite as usual,
while Robby Robins came in his C150 tail-dragger. Other regulars,
Tim Lucero and Garry Gramman drove in from Lompoc and El
Cajon respectively. Surprise guest was Don Henry of La Mesa, CA who
arrived in N60BW for his first visit. We were pleased that
Dave Mazzola of Newark, CA and Craig Ortet of Morgan Hill,
CA showed up in their Mites on Saturday to spend a few hours with us. Mite
owner Toni Guttman arrived by car from Soquel, CA to pay his very
first visit to a WAMM fly-in. Although he does not appear in our photo
collection, Mite enthusiast and Mooney 201 owner Frank Jenkins
dropped by on his way back to Menlo Park, CA. We are always pleased to see
new faces mixed in with the regulars. |
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Michel's very pleasant airport
restaurant got most of our business. However, the Mexican meal at La
Fuente on Thursday night and particularly
Don Deaton's deep-pit barbecue on Saturday night certainly deserve
mention. Ernie Buenting looks on while
Don unwraps the roast which has been cooking since the night before. |
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| Ted Reusch arriving on Friday
morning in his M-18L. |
This photo shows most of the 10
Mites that were parked beside
Bill Vandersande's hangar at one
time or another. |
Ben Favrholdt and Michael Harms getting ready to fly in front of
Ben's hangar. |
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| We were all surprised and
pleased when Don Henry showed up in his highly modified (experimental)
Mite, N60BW.
Don has quite a story to tell about a flying incident in the airplane. |
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| David Favrholdt was distracted by
this impressive Harmon Rocket
in front of the terminal. |
Michael's '55 model receiving close attention in Ben's hangar. |
Ben has mounted a small video "gun" camera below the wing
connected to a VCR in the cockpit. |
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| Ben watches while his nephew David gets comfortable in the cockpit of
N66MX |
Michael Harms and Glenn Bell made
the flight down from Hayward
in two Mites in two hours. |
Robby Robins, Bill Vandersande,
Gil Gilbert and Ted Reusch just
after finishing breakfast in Michel's. |
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| Here is the traditional "chat
circle" near the fridge in Bill's hangar. From
left to right: Glenn Bell, Dave Rutherford, Tim Lucero, Ted Reusch,
Ernie Buenting,
Bill Vandersande, Gil Gilbert, Ben Favrholdt and Robby Robins. |
Robby, Dave Mazzola, Dave,
Bill, Ben, Ted and Ernie dining in the shade at Michel's. |
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| Glenn, Don Matthews and Tim
polish off their BBQ meal of beef, beans,
buns and salad.. |
Gil, Ernie and Robby certainly
look
like they are enjoying themselves. |
Garry Gramman and Ted. |
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| David F. and Toni Guttman. |
This is the BBQ facility
outside the terminal at PTV. |
RV-6 owner Don and his wife
Marge, Bill's hangar neighbors, joined us for the BBQ. |
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| Dave, Ben, Michael, David, and
Toni. |
Gil, Ernie, Bill Robby, Garry,
and Ted. |
Glenn, Ernie, Ben and Robby. |