www.brantly.info

Don Lewellen has started us off with some pictures of packing up his B-2B and heading to Homer's. See the Photos section.

Let's keep those photos and stories about this year's Fly-In coming, and I will make sure they get posted.

Steve

Well, what a trip. We left Kansas City at 5:00 AM Thursday. I was unloaded and had a 1/2 hour of flying in by 8:00 PM.

There were a lot of Helicopters there. A couple of unfortunate incidents. We were told a Rotorway ran out of fuel. "Yes he crashed." No one was hurt. Both pilot & passenger walked away. But the ship wasn't so lucky. I will send pictures for posting. One other one had a shaft break.

All in all it was a great experience. Flying to breakfast, Flying to Sporty's just outside Cincinatti, Flying to KHOC for fuel. Just a lot of flying. I put about 8 hours on my ship. It would have been more except I had to look at all the choppers.

No. I didn't get tired of it either.

It was just a great trip.

Our motel was on into Hillsboro. I believe next year I will camp somehow. Either with a motor home or a tent. Just because I can't stand to be away from the action.

There were a couple of guys that came in in a Huey. How neat that was. They let me get in it and take photos of the panel. I will send these for posting also.

I believe I will pratice and enter the competition next year.

I talked to a lot of people that came from far away. Some of the places were, Houston, Florida, Michigan, Albany NY, Maryland, South Carolina, everywhere. A couple of Rotorways flew in from western Canada.

For anybody that wants an upclose look at helicopters this is the place. You can walk right up to any ship on the place and stick your head in to look around. Although it isn't that safe.

Case in point I was just getting started to fly. I cleared the area and had my ship idling getting ready to spin up the rotor and along comes this woman walking right up to & in front of the ship. The brake was off and the blades were turning. We yelled and yelled and she finally looked up just in time and ducked just as I applyied the brake. It was extremely close. My blades were turning fast enough to have killed her. PLEASE BE CAREFUL

I sure hope to see more of you owners there next year.

I will send in the photos. Hopefully it won't take to long to get them posted.

Fun & Safe Flying to all.


Don L.

I am out of town until Saturday, July 24. Don has sent some great pictures, but I will not be able to post them until I get home.

Steve

I'm looking forward to those photos, but thanks to Steve for hosting this forum!

I've got my set of pictures up on my site now. Click here then on the "Homer Bell's 2004" link to see them. I didn't get as many pictures this year as in previous years, nor as many activity shots. Guess I was too busy trying to fly.

It was great meeting Don L. and his friend Mike. We got to fly to breakfast together and did some other formation flying around the area. Also spent a lot of time visiting in our "Brantly area".

I agree that it was once again a very nice event this year. Perhaps not quite as organized in some areas as last, but good anyhow. Real glad the pilots in the accidents walked away unharmed.

I didn't hear the final count of registered helicopters, but it should have been in the mid 50's. 2003's final count was 59, but I don't think it was passed this year.

Besides Don and me, I only met 1 or 2 other Brantly owners this year. Not such a good turnout in that area. But, several days of lots of helicopters, flying, and talking with guys I've come to know over the last 6 years of attending was well worth it.

Ron

Great shots... I'll make plans well in advance for next year. I just bought a 30' RV (travel trailer w/ slide out), so you guys are welcome to camp with me in 2005.

Check out Don Lewellen's photos from Homer Bell's Fly-In. Click on the photos gallery or on this link: http://www.brantly.info/Homers_2004.htm