Well, moving the Rotary Round up a week certainly improved the weather for me and I made it this year.  However, some of those wimps (who gave me a hard time last year for letting a little weather keep me away)failed to make it from Texas {:>) due to a "little" weather.  Took off at 1000 and landing back in NC at 1315 after refueling stop at WayCross, GA.  A great trip and a fun three days.

 

 

Actually, Bill Eslick and Linyda came roaring in about the time I figured I had the Longest Distance Rotary award locked up.  So we missed the rest of you guys – but I DO understand about the weather {:>).

 

  It was a smaller than normal group due to the weather and other factors we all know about, but there was a lot of interaction and many new faces.  We had one couple and one individual drive down from Canada for the Rotary Round up – which gives you some idea how important it is to those interested – particularly the new starters.  We ended up with three flying rotary aircraft plus Tracy's nearly completed RV-8 20B powered.  That is going to be some airplane (assuming Tracy finishes it, of course).  I asked and he told me that he intended to fly it to next Sun & Fun. 

 

But, Laura pulled me aside and cautioned me about expecting too much on the RV-8 finish date {:>).

 

A rotary engine rebuilder and racer gave an outstanding tear-down and briefing.  Really knew what he was talking about – but, it was refreshing to hear him say that there was a number of things about the application of the rotary engine to aircraft that Tracy could better answer.  Richard Shone showed his new castings for his one rotor project – boy, is that ever looking good.  Richard appears to be in the home stretch with proof of concept proven and now just some minor modifications to the casting patterns.  This gentleman does know his mechanics and physics – not to mention how to machine.

 

The Cozy Girrlllls (Chrissi and Randi) were there showing their products (focused toward the canard end of things – no pun intended).   They had a nice motor mount integrated with Tracy's redrive mount the new bezel for our joint project on the EFISM.  This one was painted and really looked snazzy.  I'll take a photo and post it later.  They had several other products as well, but I won't go into details – contact them directly if interested.

 

 

Electrical power went out as we sat around the campfire Saturday night and it was entertaining watching and speculating about the cause – which ranged from a "reportedly" major substation explosion several miles a way in Bell, Fl (we did hear several sounds and pops) to a local line fuse popping.  I must have not been too serious as a line crew had the power back on by 1100PM.   But, people did gravitate to the campfire and the only thing missing was marshmallows.

 

Several folks got their first rotary ride, Richard ran his one rotor and it sure sounds like its putting out power. 

 

So hopefully the weather will be more cooperative for the next rotary round up and more folks can make it.  You just can't beat it.

 

As always, simply can't say enough about Laura and Tracy taking the time, effort and $$ to put this effort together each year.  Laura was almost laid back this time as she is used to handling over a hundred folks – so this was almost a cake walk for her – right? Laura?  Again, a lot of effort was exerted and while a bit smaller than normal it was a great crowd to spend three days with.

 

Best Regards

 

Ed

 

 

 

 

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