March proved to be another great month for the Georgia Flyers. The month started with a fabulous trip to Amelia Island on Saturday, March 4th. The trip was sponsored by Paul and Sherri Platt and was rescheduled from last year due to one of the many Florida hurricanes. We arrived Saturday mid-day and spent the afternoon shopping and sightseeing in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. After a short rest, we boarded a tour boat for a trip down the intra-coastal waterway to the Down-Under restaurant, where everyone enjoyed fresh seafood, or other delectables of their choice. The young prospective pilots in our group enjoyed assisting the tour boat captain in piloting the boat, ensuring we always stayed between the marker buoys. The captain was a local history buff, providing even those who previously lived in the area with a history lesson rich in local culture and customs. But the trip did not end there. On Sunday morning, with clear blue skies and calm winds, the group departed Amelia Island bound for Jumbolair Estates, northeast of Ocala, Florida, and home to John Travolta. While we didn't spot John, we did partake of one of the best Sunday brunches I have seen, and were able to tour the ramp where about 75 other aircraft of all types also flew in for lunch. Following brunch and a mandatory recheck of our weight and balance (accent on the weight portion), we departed for our individual home airports with a memorable weekend in our logbooks.

The next event was on Saturday, March 18th, the Lunch-Bunch gathered at Thomson-McDuffie County airport (HQU) where host and hostess Ben and Deborah Bashinski put on a big splash with a cookout of BBQ chicken and burgers as well as fun flying events. The event was well attended with 9 airplanes and 21 people. Jim Turner redeemed himself after his aircraft carrier landing on the Alabama air tour by winning the spot landing contest. Sherri Platt came in second, but she says that was due to the fact there were only two aircraft participating. Below, see Ben flipping burgers and Jim Turner's winning performance.

Our March meeting and program was a rousing success on March 26th. Forty-eight members assembled at the EAA 690 hangar at Gwinnett County Airport (LZU) where we were treated to an exciting presentation by CarolAnn Garratt on her around-the-world flight in a single engine Mooney. The weather was perfect except for a few air bumps, so CarolAnn was able to fly her Mooney from Kissimmee, Florida, to join us. Several of our members elected to also fly in while others, including Carolyn and me, chose the land transportation option. CarolAnn captivated us with her first-hand descriptions of her trip, including several enlightening stories that kept the group spellbound for an hour. We also had dessert served, making the outing even more enjoyable. Following her discussion and slide show, CarolAnn answered questions and autographed copies of her book describing her journey, the proceeds going to support research for Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). For those who did not hear her talk, or simply want to learn more, you can visit CarolAnn's website at http://www.kerrlake.com/mgarratt/INDEX.HTM. Thanks to programs coordinator Dan Barta for making arrangements for CarolAnn to visit with the Georgia Flyers. I also appreciate the support of the Flyer's members who attended this program and making it a big hit.

April is shaping up as another fun month, with two flying events planned. The first is our Lunch-Bunch outing on Saturday, April 15th at West Georgia Regional airport (KCTJ), hosted by member and past President Sam DiGiammarino. Plan on arriving around 11:30am for a catered sandwich lunch. The fee will be $10 per person. Sherri needs to have a headcount, so please be sure to reply to lunchbunch@georgiaflyers.org. and include how many are coming. Don't miss this chance to fly, socialize and have a great lunch.

The next event is our trip to Andros Island in the Bahamas, sponsored by Bill Shivers. We will be staying at the new Emerald Palms resort at a special rate. There are still slots available if anyone wants to join us. There are currently 7 aircraft scheduled to fly, starting in Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, April 21st. Sherri Platt is coordinating the trip for Bill. Let her know if you want to jump in and she can get you the contact numbers for reserving rooms.

Since May is just around the corner, mark your calendars for our May meeting, a lunch and program at the EAA 690 hangar at Gwinnett County. The program is a surprise, but I guarantee you will like it. The lunch is our ever-favorite BBQ chicken and pork, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, cobbler, and iced tea, catered by Dreamland Bar-B-Q. The cost will be $14 per person. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, May 2nd, by email at reservations@georgiaflyers.org or for those who do not have access to e-mail call Carolyn Deering at 770-321-9380 (leave a message on Carolyn's answering machine with your name, telephone number and the number attending).

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Georgia Flyers April events and the May meeting.

Ron Deering