...for heaters and closed cabins.  At least that's the case around here in eastern Wisconsin.  We have had our first snow accumulations, and the daytime highs just barely make it into the 30s.  Not the best Waco weather.

I drained the oil today, officially putting an end to the 2007 Waco flying season.  The Hobbs meter shows 75 hours more than it did at the start of the season, so I would consider the summer of 2007 to be a success!  I've put 129 hours on the plane since picking it up on the first weekend of June 2006.  That's more flying time in two summers than it had accumulated in the 6 summers before!  (it had 90 hours on the clock when I picked it up.)  I'm sure the plane is much happier to be flying, and I'm having a ball with it, so it seems that buying the Waco was a good choice.

This winter will see the normal maintenance and inspection, plus a few minor "fixes" that I want to accomplish.  I'll report on the progress of all these projects as time goes on.  For now, the 180 is in the front of the hangar, ready for winter flying duties, and the Waco is back in the "work corner".  Must be winter time!

I guess time has gotten away from me.  It's been quite a while since I posted anything, but I didn't realize it had be quite THIS long!  It has been a very busy fall, and time flies (whether you're having fun or not)!

September and October were great.  Quite a bit of flying, but lots of other stuff going on too.  One of the highlights was the Midwest Antique Airplane Club's annual "Grassroots" fly-in at Brodhead WI.  I flew the Waco to Brodhead for the day on Saturday, and I was accompanied by Brady Lane, a fellow EAA staffer who did a really neat video presentation of Grassroots. See the video at this link:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1184434145/
bclid1184431670/bctid1184468223

I managed to remember my camera as well.  Here are a few pictures from Brodhead.  First, a nice shot of the Brodhead Airport sign being "guarded" by a couple of Pietenpols.

Here's a shot of my Waco at the event.

Of course I always take pictures of other Wacos in attendance as well.  Here is Tom Brown's cabin Waco framed by a really nice F-2 and my F-7.

Here's a full shot of the F-2.  It's for sale in case anyone might be interested!

And of course there were other types at the fly-in too.  Here's a nice shot of a Stearman and a Travel Air parked together.  The Stearman belongs to Merrill and MaDonna McMahon of Wausau, WI.  They just finished a complete restoration of the plane and it's a beauty!  The Travel Air is pretty darned nice too.

And here's a really nice Hatz.

Grassroots is always a great fly-in, and this year was no exception.  Many thanks to all the MAAC members who helped make it happen, as well as the members of EAA Chapter 431, based at Brodhead.  Great Job one and all!