Back
Unedited copy as submitted for the Jul 31, 2003 issue of Airventure Today.
Around the Field
by Jack Hodgson
Nighthawk pilot, planewatching, and the other woman.

His other plane is a Nighthawk. Mike Engle and Michelle Olenoski are keeping an eye on the arrivals. They arrived at AirVenture from Arlington, Virginia, as part of the Mooney Caravan.

Mike was part of the Mooney Caravan last year too and he likes that it helped him to meet so many other Mooney fans, many of whom he kept in touch with throughout the year.

Mike and Michelle do alot of travelling throughout the year in the Mooney. They've visited all over the east coast, and recently visited some Caravan friends in Toronto, Canada.

On the weekends Mike is a member of the Army National Gaurd, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He flies Nighthawks, and has flown Hueys in the past.

Before buying his Mooney three years ago, Mike flew a variety of other planes. But he ended up buying the Mooney because, "it's the sexiest one there is."

Al and Debi Cornyn are from Pincher Creek in Alberta, Canada. We found them sitting in front of an empty parking space just to the south of the east/west runway.

"Our plane is parked over in the RV area. We're saving this space for some friends who are arriving soon."

Their route this year to AirVenture took them first to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, then to Waukegan, and finally here to Oshkosh. Last year they came to the fly-in by way of Nova Scotia.

"We don't navigate so good," says Al. "We basically fly back and forth till we find something that looks familiar." He was joking, I think.

Their home airport in Pincher Creek is due north of Glacier National Park. Heading west, it is the last airport before the Rockies.

Debi's been a pilot for 22 years. Al's been flying as a hang glider instructor for that long, and became a private pilot seven years ago.

They've been coming to AirVenture for 12 years. "We only missed one year in that time. It just seemed like something was missing from our lives that year."

Al and Debi are the President and Secretary of the Pincher Creek chapter of COPA, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. They group is affiliated with EAA's Young Eagles program. They fly about 50 kids each year.

At AirVenture Al and Debi know what they like. "We love sitting here with the handheld and watching planes land. We like the museum too."

They flew to AirVenture in their RV-6. It's white with purple flames. When the flaps are down, from the front, you can see the words, "The Other Woman" on them.

"While I was building it," says Al, "that's what Debi said it was, the other woman."

Tim Statler and Paul Sullivan are from Harbor Springs, Michigan. Tim has been coming to AV for 10 years, and Paul for over 20 years. They're sitting in front of their tents at the edge of the runway.

"Sitting here watching the planes is one of our favorite parts of the day," says Tim. "I like to looking at all the different planes, but the best part is to see them fly."

"Sometimes you wish it was a month long instead of just a week," says Paul.

Tim flew here in a 1964 Cherokee 140 that belongs to a friend. Paul caught a ride in a 1955 Twin Bonanza that is based at his home field.

Paul is the owner of Harbor Springs Airpark, and is in the process of expanding it into a residential airport. He's been working on planning, and getting approvals, for three years. He's just recently reached the point where they are now selling building lots.

"We had the normal amount of resistence from the airport commission. But I pointed out to them that studies are showing that residential airports make good neighbors, and generate considerably fewer airport complaints."

You can see more about Harbor Springs Airpark at www.sullivansharborspringsairpark.com.

Paul is a member of EAA Chapter 1087. They have a very active Young Eagle's program. During one Young Eagles Rally, Chapter 1087 flew 225 kids in one day. Paul has flown over 135 kids since the program's start.

Tim and Paul are also members of Chapter 560 in Cheboygan, Michigan.

They love coming to AirVenture. "It really brings it all together," say Tim. "It's like a big family."


You can email Jack at atf@da4.com.