Branson Convention Fly In

[6409]

Hannah and I arrived back in Macon yesterday after a great convention in Branson, MO. We had 23 aircraft on the ground and just over 80 attendees. The fly outs were fun, the food was delicious, and it was wonderful to catch up with old friends (and make new ones) in the hospitality suite.

This was the first “board hosted” convention in our association’s history, and we really pushed some of the boundaries. After four years as President, it was my pleasure to hand the reins over to Jeff Tourt. He and Cindy will be wonderful leaders, and under their direction I expect our group to continue to prosper!

Congratulations to Rob Swanland, our webmaster and IT boss. He received the Glenn Usher award at Friday’s farewell dinner.

See you next year in Davenport, Iowa!

[6298]

Thank you Virgil for your piloting the Association for the last four years. The new Pilots will head us in the right direction, I’m sure.

[6409]

Thanks Randy. It was a pleasure and an honor to lead over the last four years. Jeff and Cindy have some great ideas to keep us moving forward. We’re still in very good hands. Great to see you in Branson.

[2066]

Thank you, Virgil! Your very involved leadership and work(!) has made a difference in terms of serving the membership with great communication, timely and impactful "government" contact, EAA/SNF relationship-building and just demonstrating enthusiasm for "our" aircraft and (more importantly) the special Family of people who own, fly, fix, and love them. It's obvious that Jeff and Cindy bring similar enthusiasm and great experience and expertise for leading in the coming months and years. No doubt they'd agree, however, that they'll face a challenge in keeping the "Virgil focus" on both quality and appropriate growth of this special organization. Our best to you and Hannah as you take a well earned "breather", old friend! And, our salute and thanks to Jeff and Cindy for their willingness to assume the important duties and control @ the Association's "Left Seat"!

Mac & Donna

[8233]

Virgil, thank you for all of your efforts and heartfelt words at the convention. As one of the first timers, I was greeted by everyone with such a warm welcome that it made a lasting impression of the bond that exists within the association. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone. It didn't take long to appreciate your contributions as president plus the contributions made by many others. Likewise, it didn't take long to see the passion that Jeff and Cindy will bring to the role. I look forward to many more conventions to come.

Thanks again!

[V529]

As a willing and paying participant to the Branson Convention I would like to say thank you to the team that put the show on. This year was a first in that we didn't have a member who hosted the show, so the Association needed to find a "location" basically a destination city.

I was apprehensive for multiple reasons, but none of my concerns played out. We had outstanding weather in the central part of the country, pretty good flight conditions for most. Of course our hearts go out to those in the Southeast who had to endure hardship with Dorian wrecking many's plans for much more than our convention.

The event was well orchestrated, the hotel was outstanding! We had the best hospitality room in eons! An excellent banquet room as well.
The fly outs(drive outs) worked out very well, both small airports with restaurants located on the field. If you ever get a chance to fly into Gaston Arkansas, 3M0 (not 3M "O" as in Ocean, but 3M0 as in 'zero') DO IT! ultra cool! beautiful setting for an airpark and a restaurant!!!

Branson is Branson..........rather "touristy" but our two events went over very well. Excellent horsemanship at Dolly Parton's Stampede and the Showboat.......well, where else can you float around on a real working paddlewheeler? Honestly, I would go back again if we ever end up there. Centrally located in the middle of the country it's about equa distant for most everyone.

An interesting highlight of my own personal trip. On the flight down my altimeter kept jumping up 500 feet. About every hour it would gain 500 feet, at a glance I would go from 3500 feet to 4000, then a hour later add 500 etc. by the time I was South west of St. Louis my altimeter had me 2000 feet above my actual altitude! So in frustration I rapped on the altimeter, maybe that will fix it?

SURE DID, I had no idea a small Cessna built in the 1940's could accelerate going straight up! I went from 5500 feet indicated (actually at 3500 feet) to an amazing 33,500 feet in less than 1 minute!!!!!! F-14D drivers.....eat your heart out! You should have seen that altimeter wind up! I could have plowed right through a restricted area as I watched in amazement as my altitude soared. It was a real let down(har, har, har) to install a working altimeter and come back down to earth.

On a more somber side during the banquet recently deceased Marv Hembree's family joined us. Wife Peggy, daughter and son in law were there as we collectively said good bye to an old friend.

Throughout the whole event I heard nothing but good things, about the airport, the destination and the effort put out to make this happen. Looking forward to Davenport next year!