www.PSFmagazine.com | October-November 2018 | 21 20 | October-November 2018 | Powered Sport Flying AirVenture 2018 ultralight category of aircraft. Hopefully the faa rules committees can keep up with technology. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary signaling the end of wwi, numerous replica aircraft from Kermit Weeks’ Fantasy of Flight collection were on display. These included the German Fokker D-vii, Albatross D-111, and a British SE5-a. Carrying the Sopwith factory name were the Pup and a Snipe. Also there was a Camel by Genius Garage, and finally, a 1915 Bleriot in Royal Flying Corps paint scheme. Close examination of these aircraft makes one wonder how such fragile machines could have been used in combat. But they were, albeit with a high percentage of fatalities. All of them could surely fit into the lsa category of today. Although not in the light plane category, one restored wwi antique was on display. The De Havilland DH-4 was the first American-made combat aircraft of some significance. The American built V-12 400 HP water-cooled Liberty engine powers the DH-4. Intended as a bomber, it could also defend itself with twin machine guns mounted on a swivel in the aft cockpit and twin machine guns firing through the propeller. For the first time, light-equipped drones flew in various formations during the two evening air shows. Up to 50 drones created night sky images such as a heart, twin tornados, the American Flag, and several other patterns. We likely will see similar displays as their popularity and the creativeness of their “handlers” develop, although I doubt if they will ever replace the noise, flashes of color, heat, and smoke of traditional fireworks. But we will see their applications where traditional fireworks are not appropriate. Amid my continual stream of activities and responsibilities, I did manage to attend one seminar about wing stalls presented by eaa Chapter 88 member Ron Blum, and several presentations in the museum theaters. Particularly interesting was one by Gary Top: Yes, this is a Sopwith Camel. Middle: De Havilland with an attractive aft gunner Bottom: Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Powers Jr. (son of Gary Powers, U2 pilot) and another about the wasp of wwii. It is incredible how much the wasp contributed to supporting the war effort and at the time got neither recognition nor financial support when their members died during the service. Not until 2010 when former President Obama awarded the organization and those still alive the Congressional Gold Medal of Freedom, did they receive due recognition. Again this year I volunteered almost every day as a tram conductor ensuring passenger safety while identifying passing points of interest and announcing coming events for that day. It was also an opportunity to have a captive audience for my numerous lame jokes and conundrums. Those in particular included why the cows returned to the marijuana fields: “the pot called the cattle back.” Or another was the nasa rocket launch of cattle into low earth orbit: “ it was identified as the herd shot around the world.” Or amid all the discoveries on the sunken Titanic, it was determined that the swimming pool was still filled with water. Well, you had to be there. National eaa ceo Jack Pelton calls these “terrible jokes” and he is right. While a tram conductor, I was able to interact with those sitting immediately in front of me. On three occasions, the people were from my own eaa chapter 88 of Wichita, Kansas! Out of the 77,000 daily spectators, I encountered several people I knew! One particularly rewarding encounter occurred while walking past a line of people waiting to board a bus. A fellow stopped me and re-read my name tag, he recognized me from an article I had written about making a smoke system for my AirBike. He made a similar one for his plane. I think his name was Jimmie Williams. Another rider was Mark Pierce of the Kansas City Dawn Patrol fliers who was in full uniform and greeted me once I identified myself as AirBike Ace. I volunteered at the Fun Fly Zone one evening pumping gas for those making demonstration Top: Tram driver Paul. Middle: Volunteer pumping fuel at the Fun Fly Zone. Bottom: Ultralight Red Barn
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