NEWSLETTER FOR OUR MEMBERS

April 1, 2010
By: Gary Vacin, Publicity Director

The next monthly meeting of SLAC
Monday, April 19, 2010

Mirror ROOM AT THE SUN LAKES COUNTRY CLUB - PHASE I

Programs

For information on Programs, contact Gary Vacin, Programs Director
Tel 480-802-2225 or email gvacin@hotmail.com

Monday, April 19	Mike England, a professional balloon pilot from Hot Air Expeditions
Monday, May 17	Member Bob Earl, Original Tower Manager at CHD will speak on his aviation experiences

Activities Schedule
For information on Activities, contact Earl Cuyler, Activities Director
Tel 480-895-5525 or email EarlSLAC@wbhsi.net

Since many members can only participate on Saturdays, we
have made most of the proposed activities on a Saturday

Generally the third Saturday of each month SLAC flies to select locations

Saturday, April 17

San Carlos Airport, Globe, Az. A visit to the Apache Gold Casino for lunch and some free gambling. The Casino is directly across from the Airport within walking range

Field Trips
Generally the fourth Saturday of each month
SLAC Field trips to points of interest to all members and pilots

Saturday, May 22

Destination to be announced

Other Activities

Fri Apr 23

Tentative – Going away WESTERN cook-out (for those of you who leave our great State during the summer months).  Will be held at Sisk Park in Palo Verde.  The club will pay for this event.  We hope all of you will participate and partake of the great Ribs, and the Corn Bread cooked by our Activities Director, Earl Cuyler.  The last Ribs cook-out was a great success. WEAR YOUR WESTERN DUDS

PUBICITY
Contact Gary Vacin, Publicity Director
Tel 480-802-2225; or email Gvacin@hotmailcom

The following articles appeared in the April 1^st Splash

Sun Lakes Aero Club (SLAC) members and visitors who attend the club’s April 17 meeting will have a chance to win a free balloon ride, courtesy of Hot Air Expeditions. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with coffee and fellowship, followed at 7 p.m. by a presentation by Mike England, who will describe his experiences as a professional balloon pilot.

           Persons attending the meeting will receive a free raffle ticket.  A drawing will be held immediately after England’s presentation, and the winner will receive a free hour-long balloon trip (a $175 value). The company offers morning or evening rides, followed by a champagne breakfast or dinner.

          A native of Illinois, England began flying balloons as a hobby in 1979.  He moved to Arizona in 1994 and began flying professionally, compiling thousands of hours as pilot in command.  He was Arizona state champion in 2001.  

          This writer personally experienced a flight with Hot Air Expeditions in December.  The adventure began at Deer Valley Airport in north Phoenix.  We were transported to a launch site in the Sonoran desert about 20 miles north of the airport. There we received a preflight briefing where we learned more about the hot air balloon and how it flies, plus other interesting facts. Then the balloon was inflated by motorized fans.  Once the envelope was filled with air, the propane burners were ignited to heat the air inside. After the balloon inflated, we joined the pilot in a large wicker basket for the flight.

          On liftoff, we ascended to about 400 feet, where we were able to experience the sights and sounds of desert life and view residential and business developments from above. Then the pilot turned the burners to high and we soared to an altitude of 5,000 feet, giving us a panoramic view of the valley. 

          Following landing in the desert near 1-17 and the Carefree Highway, we were met by the ground crew which deflated and packed the balloon in a trailer for transportation to the next launch site.  Then we were treated to a delicious gourmet breakfast, complete with champagne.

This could be you.  Attend the Sun Lakes Aero Club meeting Monday,
April 19 for a chance to win a free balloon ride, Courtesy of Hot Air Expeditions

The following article will appear in the May 1^st Splash

Eight Sun Lakes Aero Club members and guests headed for the Chandler Municipal Airport March 20 planning to fly to Lake Havasu City for breakfast and a walk across London Bridge.  Facing a forecast for moderate turbulence below 15,000 feet along the route, the group changed plans and decided on a trip to Marana for breakfast.  Pilots making the trip were Roger Bartels in his Beechcraft Bonanza, Paul Beek in his Bellanca Cruismaster, and Gary Vacin in his Grumman AAIB Yankee.  Shown above with Beek’s Bellanca as a backdrop are (l-r) are Tom Sherrill, Earl Cuyler,  George Solandros, Richard Simmons, Roger Bartels, Gary Vacin, and Paul Beek.  Not pictured:  Bob Walch.

Additional information on the Aero Club is available from Bob Walch (480-895-8869) or
Al Galvi (480-802-0104 or by visiting the club’s website, www.sunlakesaeroclub.org.