www.bonanza.orgABS MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Monthly ABS Magazine· One-on-One Aircraft Advice• Beechcraft Pilol Proficiency Program · Aircraft Service Clinics · Air Safely Foundation Research &Development Projects · Regulatory & Industry Representation · Annual Convention & Trade Show• Affiliated Aircraft Insurance with Falcon Insurance · Members-only Website Section · EducationalBooks. Videos & logo Merchandise · ABS Platinum Visa'" (with RAPID Discounts) • Tool RentalProgram · Professionally Staffed Headquarters1922 MIDFIELD ROAD. PO. BOX 12888 . WICHITA. KS 67277 ABS exists to promote aviation safety and flying enjoyment throughTEL 316-945-1700 FAX 316-945-1 710 E-MAil: ABSmail@bonanzo.org education and information-sharing among owners and operators ofOFFICE HOURS: M-F 8: 30 am - 5 pm (Central Time)<strong>Bonanza</strong>s. Barons. Debonoirs and Travel Airs throughoulthe world.ABS BOARD OF DIRECTORSTERM EX~RESPRESIDENTARTHUR W. BROCK (Area 8) ·2009CommiHee Chair: Events, Executive, Planning.Technical2831 Colt ild .. Iloncho Pok>s Ve
AirVenture 2008AirVenturewas another big success. Although EAAreported attendance as "about the same as last year;' itdidn't reel quite as crowded. There were still enoughairplanes and people to boggle the mind.The ABS tent was again busy and amacted good crowds.Lots of good hangar flying, some excellent technical presentationsand merchandise sales were healthy. I knolV it wasbecause of the camaraderie and opportunities for technicalenrichment, and nOlthe free soft drinks and popcorn!Two things have really enhanced the ABS Oshkosh tentexperience: the air conditioner in the general area and the flatscreenTV monitor in the presentation area. Both were contribmedby Kevin O' Halloran of Cordell, Oklahoma-a longtimefriend and supporter and volunteer extraordinaire.Kevin not only helps ABS but is the principal reason that<strong>Bonanza</strong>s to Oshkosh gets to park in the same area and enmasse. EAA does not allow any "reserved" parking atAirVenture but Kevin, with the help of his young friend MaxRingo, manages to hold off the brand C, P and Ms so B20shcan park and camp together. In addition, when the B20shersclimb out of their planes, there's Kevin with his famous margaritamachine, beer and pizza.Larry Gaines, the leader of the B20sh flight, wanted to dosomething special for Kevin and Max this year. So he invitedMax to fly Larry's plane and lead the B20sh flight. Larrymonitored everything from the right seat, and actually onlyspoke once on the radio-a new record for this talkative guy.Larry flew with Max a couple of months ago to give himsome experience in the left seat of his plane, and to give himsome pointers on leading the flight. And it came to pass, andMax (and Larry) did an excellent job.Larry is not only benevolent to young people like Maxbut is correspondingly so to. ahem, mature graybeards like.Kevin O'Holloron-o long-time supporter and ASS member~ntributed a flotscreenTV monitor for use 01 ABS events. The big screen really enhanced the ABSTent Topic presentations.for instance, me. He invited me tojoin him and Jim Sanders, CFO atHawker Beechcraft, in the 3-shiplead element of the flight. It was anhonor that I truly appreciated.If you haven't yet experiencedthe B20sh flight, you're missing thepremier Beechcraft flying event of the year. When the towercontroller in Rockford says, "<strong>Bonanza</strong> lead and flight, clearedfor takeoff," that's clearance for about 100 (this year 93)<strong>Bonanza</strong>s and Barons. And when about an hour later, Oshkoshtower says, "<strong>Bonanza</strong> flight , cleared to land, and welcome toOshkosh;' that's clearnnce for the entire flight and the tradi tional beginning of AirVenture.This is the safest way to get to Oshkosh as well as themost efficient and the most fun. The entire flight lands in about14 minutes! There is no other way that about 100 airplanescould land from the Fisk/Ripon approach in anywhere nearthat time.Larry has also been very generous with his time andadvice to other type formation groups. He has helped a groupof Grumman pilots develop their formation skills and at thisyea<strong>r'</strong>s Stockton (California) formation clinic I met severalenthusiastic Cirrus pilots, including the current and past presidentsof the Cirrus Pilots Association. Larry also providedsome critical advice to the Cessna pilots to avoid violating theEAA's parking rules.Next year Larry is contemplating a world record B20shflight! If you're not up on your formation skills, contact him orcheck the B20sh.org website for a clinic near you. Pan of aworld record; now that will be something!Our new ABS websiteIsn't it great! I know it seems like it took forever, but wewere able to make real progress when IT Specialist KurtSchneweis was hired. With guidance from Director Steve Blytheand Media Committee Chairman Bill Stovall, and, of course,input from the entire staff, the project finally came together.Now that we have the new homepage in place, check itoften for improvements in all supporting pages.Lexington ConventionOur convention is almost upon us and I'm looking forwardto it. If you haven't registered yet, don't despair. Youhave missed the Early-Bird discount, but even so, it 's still thebest bargain in Beechcraft education, entertainment and funwith your fellow Beech lovers and a great trade show to boot.Check the Ride Share page on the website and travel for afrnction of the cost. I hope to see you there! -ArtABS September 2008 www.bononza.org Page 10932
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