I’m retired, so officially every day is a day off. But I do a lot of writing and lately, I’ve been looking for a little more fun in my new home state of Florida. Last week, I kicked around some boat clubs and breezed through the sailboat ads. Then, my EAA chapter emailed that Searey […]
Drew's Views
Runway-side Chalet Suzanne closing after 83 Years
Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Inn in Lake Wales, Florida, a paradigm of class and cuisine among airplane-accessible destinations, will be closing its doors Aug. 4. Looking for a buyer, third-generation owner Eric Hinshaw and wife Dee say it can be yours. Otherwise, they plan a silent auction of its unique contents. Hinshaw’s grandmother Bertha opened the […]
They reached for the stars
The pride of my small aviation art and poster collection is a glimpse into one of GA’s most daring – and star-crossed – new products. It’s time to dig out my prize Starship poster and look back on troubled times at Beech, now that Textron has taken ownership. At least in external appearance, placing Beech […]
Memorial Day: Early and late this year
Last month, it seemed that Memorial Day came early, didn’t it? Regardless of the calendar, it came early for some of my old buddies in aviation. And it came decades late for some World War II GA fliers I knew. Let me explain. First, there was the memorial luncheon for my buddy and president of […]
Was that cheering?
I’ve been a long-time skeptic about most General Aviation record-setting or publicity flights. Especially in this latter day of aviation, who is impressed? In any case, there’s a distinction between a flight purposefully pushing technology and the risky publicity stunt or ego exercise. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), whose cause I served at […]
Rockin’ the Runways
The passing of aviation’s glory days? Much has been said. Sure, people are now more fascinated with easier, trendier, more hedonistic things. So what’s a perennial air show to do after a 2011 performer fatality and subsequently cancelled air shows? The answer: Rock and Roll! “Give ‘em what they want,” the adage goes. For many, […]
The Right Stuff for a post SUN ’n FUN trip, Part 2
As noted in yesterday’s post, taking one of the extra-cost “Up Close Tours” of the Kennedy Space Center can make this SUN ‘n FUN side trip worth the cost. For me, seeing the original Cape Canaveral was my ticket back in time. After a security check (Cape Canaveral is an Air Force base,) you’ll leave […]
The Right Stuff for a post-SUN ‘n FUN trip
SUN ‘n FUN is coming up soon. If you are heading to the show in Lakeland, Florida, what else can you do while you’re in Florida? Of course, there’s always Disney World, but why not see the hub of America’s space program, the Kennedy Space Center? Granted, it ain’t cheap and without advance planning, you […]
Fantasy of Flight to close as tourist attraction
Kermit Weeks announced March 4 that Fantasy of Flight, his central Florida aviation-theme tourist attraction, will close to the public after April 6, the last day of this year’s SUN ‘n FUN airshow/fly-in just 20 miles down I-4. The site will continue to function as an aircraft restoration center and will welcome group functions such […]