The end of day one of construction on the APM Restoration Center finds the digging for the footings done. We have some issues with ground water but hope that good weather the next few days will help dry things up. Stay tuned!

The non-ceremonial "ground breaking" for the APM Restoration Center occurred this morning at 7am. Contractor Chad Howard and his crew are currently hard at work laying out the foundation and digging for the footings which they plan to pour on Fri. July 1st. From there it's onward and upward with the construction of the APM Restoration Center.

There's still time to claim your "piece of the rock" in regards to this project by participating in our "Buy-a-Foot" campaign to finance construction of the Restoration Center. Only 806 sq. ft of the available 2840 sq. ft remain unclaimed.

Brent Taylor
APM Treasurer

A few months ago AAA member Roy Hinklin of Somerset, KY informed us of his intentions to donate his Rearwin Cloudster, N44533, to the APM.

The Cloudster arrived safely at Antique Airfield despite Gary's less than friendly encounter with one of Kentucky's "finest" on the trip.

The airplane had not been flown in several years and it was determined the safest (but least glamorous) way to transport the airplane to Antique Airfield would be via a trailer. AAA National Director Gary Van Farowe, a recognized Rearwin guru, volunteered to travel to Somerset, disassemble the Cloudster, load it on a trailer and transport it to the APM.

The unloading begins. That's Gary Van Farowe on the left.

On Sun June 26th we were a bit surprised to see Gary, with the Rearwin in tow, turn in the driveway here at Antique Airfield. We did not expect his arrival until sometime later that week. His arrival turned out to be a bit serendipitous however, because it just happened that a small group of our local members/volunteers were on hand. Lou Norman, Dave Coop, Cliff Hatz, Ben Taylor along with your author/photographer helped Gary unload and re-assemble the Cloudster in short order.

Right wing on, Cliff Hatz (L) and Dave Coop (R) getting ready to install the left wing.

The airplane is in very good shape appearing to need some minor work, a thorough annual inspection and refinishing of the propeller to be airworthy. Our "Thanks" to Gary Van Farowe for his efforts to transport the Cloudster to the APM.

To Roy Hinklin, the APM Board of Directors appeciates your faith in our direction/future and offers our most sincere and humble "Thank You" for your generous donation.

Brent Taylor
Treasurer APM

The re-assembled Cloudster in front of Hangar #1.

Scott and Annie Woods sent us photos of the first flight after restoration of a Waco UBF-2:

Hello Friends, thought you would like to see these photos from the test flight of Waco UBF-2 N12443. This aircraft was the first UBF-2 produced by Waco in March of 1932 and she has not flown since she was severly damaged by a tornado in Oklahoma 60 years ago.

Another one back in the skies! Scott

The Potomac Antique Aero Squadron (PAAS) held its annual Fly-In at Maryland’s Horn Point Aerodrome near the historic eastern shore town of Cambridge on the weekend of May 20 – 21. For a change we had outstanding weather with near CAVU conditions on Saturday which was our prime fly-in day. These near ideal conditions brought us an estimated eighty plus airplanes and one helicopter during that day. Many registered to be judged and our judging teams were kept busy covering the full range of judging classifications throughout the day. With so many excellent examples of the various classes of airplanes represented, it was sometimes difficult to sort out the clear winners in some of the categories that were represented. To complicate the Antique category judging, two beautiful early forties Howard DGA-15s in pristine factory fresh condition arrived in the afternoon and wanted to be judged.

To add to the interest of our many attendees including many from the surrounding towns, we had a number of antique automobiles show up to display their wares. We even had a suitably costumed gentleman with a horse and fancy antique passenger buggy who was selling rides to all who wanted them. All in all we had a very successful day which was very professionally handled by the many dedicated volunteers that covered all phases of air traffic control, parking, reception and registration, judging and crowd control.

Registration information and maps are now available for the 2011 Fly-In, Life Begins at Forty featuring Monocoupe Aircraft. Please pre-register and if you're looking for a hotel or car at the event you should make your reservations now!

• Fly-In Homepage
• First Timer's Guide to Attending Blakesburg
• Accommodations and Activities
• Map of Antique Airfield
• Pilot Information and Fly-In Rules
• Registration Form

Since the theme of this year's fly-in is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Antique Airfield, Brent Taylor dug around in the archives and came up with some early days photos:

The oldest aerial view of Antique Airfield I have found. This picture appears to have been taken early in 1970. Picture is looking ENE. The E/W runway and hangar #1 are visible along with the remnants of the old county road running W from the driveway. That roadbed is what separates the property owned by the Taylor family (to the N of that road) from the APM's property (to the S of that road)

Another shot from 1970. This aerial view shows hangar #1 and several visiting aircraft. The occasion is most likely an Iowa AAA chapter meeting. Visible are a Luscombe, RLT's Porterfields, Harold Lossner's Meyers OTW, "Shorty" Kellow's Aeronca Chief and Orval Sherwood's Cessna 120.

Antique Airfield in the spring of 1971. Most likely this is a picture taken during the dedication of the APM in May of that year. Several interesting aircraft are on the ground including a Fairchild 24, three cabin Wacos, two Monocoupes, two Stearmans and a Meyers OTW. Note that the Bluegrass Rd. is gravel at this point.

Time for a couple of personality pics. This first one (from sometime in the early 70s) is of a well known pilot/writer/photographer.

Another well known pilot/author and his trusty stead, #17. Picture taken in 1971 I believe.