Drivers Secured

Good news ........

I've got 2 drivers committed for the entire week and another on reserve. Today I spoke with Matt Warren (Big Spring local), and Ben Cross (family is moving to Big Spring this month). We learned of Matt through Laura Wofford, so thanks goes out to Laura for the lead. Ben's father and I met last year. We had talked for a couple of hours while they were visiting Big Spring and decided to check out the Hang Gliding comp while they were there. Turns out Ben's family is moving to Big Spring (job placement) and Ben is available for the week, he's getting ready to attend college in Dallas.

Matt has another young man that is willing to drive so I asked Matt to reserve him and we would be in touch if we need another driver.

Driver Update

A guy I met last year in Big Spring emailed me yesterday and said he has a 18 year old son that might be interested in driving for us. I emailed him back with all the information and I'm waiting to hear from them. This MAY be a third driver for us.

I'm going to take the first one that commits. We'll work out the driver assignments once we're there!

One week away

Local Big Spring News

Spoke with Laura Wofford again this morning and she directed me to the local on line presence for the Big Spring Herald. The newspaper's on line version is counting the days until the comp begins. She also let me know that several businesses have agreed to extend discounts and sometimes free-be's to Pilots that identify themselves as being with the comp.

She is also working with a local pub / restaurant to stay open one night during the week for adult beverages (can you say margarita's?).

Record rainfall in Midland

From the AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIDLAND/ODESSA TX

Impressive rainfall total for this event at the Midland international Airport 1.82 inches of rainfall so far. July 26th daily rainfall of 1.59 inches was a record at Midland International Airport yesterday. Big Spring is about 45 miles from Midland
This breaks the old record of 0.88 inches set in 1991.

But the coming week is forecast to be dry and temps climb back into the high 90's

Texas Calls

Laura Wofford called today and let me know she has two guys that will commit to driving for the entire week. I will be calling one of them tomorrow. One guy is 30 years old. The other guy is 18, so I'll have a few extra questions for him. But apparently the older guy is recommending the younger one so I'm counting on that being a good thing. Both guys are part of a local youth ministry organization in or around Big Spring. I'll be seeing if they have maps and good knowledge of the surrounding areas.

Big Spring CVB

Dana Baker of the Big Spring Convention and Vistors Board email today and asked how the search for drivers was going. I responded that Laura Wofford (Swamp Thing) should be contacting us by Wednesday, but also asked Dana if she was attending the committee meeting, could bring it up as well? I will call Steven (Driver Dana's house guest) today and reserve him in case things fall through in Big Spring. Phill tells me that Wally (Bruce Barmakian's driver) is still available too!

Swamp Thing

I'd be happy to have Laura (aka "Swamp Thing") as a driver. She is a very nice lady. By the way, I told her last year that she should insist on "Swamp Goddess" instead of "Swamp Thing". She liked it.

If we have 10 folks going, it seems to me that 2 drivers isn't enough. 3 would be better. My car is available, and will have a new transmission before arriving.

Driver Update

I am currently working with the Big Spring event organizer to see if there are any local people that would like to drive for the entire event. Those that were there last couple of years will remember Bobby McDonald. A very nice gentleman that gets the town of Big Spring really into the whole event (you guys remember the special cantaloupe ice cream last year made for the comp?).

He put me in contact with Laura aka "Swamp Thing" (of course that's name is a story in itself) who drove for a few pilots last year (she is currently spoken for). Apparently there is a meeting this coming Tuesday and she should have an answer by next week.

I asked for 2 drivers for the entire week. No compensation was discussed, but we could save on accommodations at a minimum. As a backup Dana said that Steven may be available for hire. Dana did volunteer but the Geza fly-in will likely keep her busy and her attention would probably be best utilized for keeping things on track here in Sylmar for the fly-in.

Audio Blogging

So now we got a place where the Kagelites can update anyone interested in the comp / Texas party. We'll try to post pictures, flight information, task updates and general information about our trip.

I hope to involve everyone going so we can mix it up with a bit of fun and cool things going on while we are away.

Blog viewers can get involved too by posting comments to any post they want. I'm sure with the number of pilots we have attending that we'll have plenty of pictures and "stuff" to put up here.

First AudioBlog for Testing

Big Spring in focus

The Big Spring meet is about three weeks away and the preparation has begun. Already we are feeling the logistical issues with 10 or so pilots invading the comp. But I am sure we'll manage it somehow. We need a minimum of 3 cars to get us and the drivers there but there is rumor that a fourth vehicle has been added.

Driver Dana has volunteered to be one of our drivers which would make four drivers if we decide we want all of them (not likely).

Here's the list of pilots so far.... (in no particular order)

Big Mike (Knapp)
Jeff Chipman
Phill Bloom
Rick Holman
Gregg Kendall
David Cutter
Shawn Zabo
Larry Chamblee
George Stebbins
Chris Smith

Nice list and you can see that beer will need to be budgeted. I'm hoping with the help of Chris Smith that we'll be able to get posting everyday during the comp and maybe a few audio posts during the day from the drivers (got to train them though). Stay tuned and we'll try to get pictures and "stuff" posted during our travels!