WESTFIELD, INDIANA FLY-IN 2000

Well it happened! On August 12, 2000, we had the annual fall Westfield, Indiana fly-in. The day was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, mid 80's almost no wind. The Westfield airport is a small private airstrip just north of Indianapolis, Indiana and is known as Wheeler's Westfield Airport. The airport has been in the Wheeler family for many years and is well maintained. It has a 3000 foot north/south sod strip and a 1700 foot east/west sod taxi strip that connects the hanger area with the runway. The fly-in is sponsored by the Indy-Flyers Ultralight Aircraft Club.

On Friday evening several of the Indy-Flyers met at the airport and began preparation for the annual fly-in. Mike Ward was in charge of the fly-in and arrived early to manage the preparations. We all worked together to cut weeds, put up wind socks, mark off competition area, assemble two large covers for shade for spectators, set up bulletin board and eating area.

Shortly after 7:00 am Saturday morning, six powered parachutes took off for a cross country flight to the Elwood, Indian drive-in/fly-in restaurant for breakfast. It was a colorful sight to see them all taking off for Elwood. Some of the local fixed wing pilots took off later to make the 8:00 am breakfast flight. Most of the Indy-Flyers were still putting the final touches on the site preparation. A little after 9:00 am many of the fixed wing and trike pilots began arriving from the Elwood breakfast and were reporting that the powered parachutist were arriving at Elwood in time to keep the seats warm. Thing got a little busy at this time, with almost a steady stream of arrivals. At a little after 1:00 am, The powered parachutist began returning from their breakfast run arriving to Elwood.

After all of the pilots were back from Elwood, a pilots meeting was called to explain the planned activities for the day. The first activity would the "Tour De-Westfield". The participants all line up and take off for a tour around the outer edge of Westfield. This is a annual event and the residents of Westfield look forward to it each year. Many of them know that it generally happens between 11:00 am and noon, so they are outside with camera's and binoculars to watch. Many keep count and report how many they saw. The next order of business is lunch. After lunch, the competition began. The first task consisted of a bomb drop and carrier/spot landing contest. The second task was a torpedo run, and the last event was balloon bust.

After the competition was finished the airport was opened up for free flying until dark.

I think a fun time was had by all. I know I sure enjoyed myself. At the end of the day, I went home dead tired and sunburned. My jaws sure got tired from listening. :-) I think my tongue got sunburned. :-) Come and check us out next August.

THANK YOU MIKE WARD, FOR A GREAT FLY-IN.

We really missed two of our flying buddies, (Nathanael Halsmer and Ben Seal).