Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sun n Fun Tornado

Around noon today, March 31, we were hit by a huge storm. Seeking refuge in the van, we watched as the winds picked up past 50mph. We had staked the Phoenix to the ground with 3 foot steel stakes, which held up well. Our tent sailed off across the street, and the wind continued to pick up. Pea sized hail hit, and we couldn't see the Phoenix any longer.
This was the view after the storm, looking to the south of our booth space. An X-Air sits on a Piper Sport.


Looking north, a cub lies on it's back. Dozens of aircraft were destroyed.



That is the remains of our tent across the street. We were very lucky that nothing hit the Phoenix, and the stakes held. The screw in dog anchors didn't hold anyone down, nor did the Claw anchors which were either uprooted or broken. I will no longer travel without the big steel stakes!

Sun n Fun

After a full day of rain on Monday, we left Melbourne at dawn on Tuesday morning. MLB was clear, but the fog rapidly filled in on the way to Lakeland.
After orbiting Lakland for half an hour, there was no way the fog was going to lift anytime soon, so Wachula was used for an alternate. We snuck into the ultralight field at 11:30.




Everyone was happy to see the Phoenix at the show.



Tuesday and Wednesday were nice, and we handed out brochures to about 200 pilots.

Big Daddy and Phoenix at MLB