Some of the newer pilots have asked me to explain the Halloween Fly-in so I have copied a couple of pages from the Fly-In Manual written by
Jan Olsen and our "Woman of The Year" Amy Heim
Way back in the 90's a group of wild and crazy women decided to have a "Women's Fly-In" with the idea of getting together to fly, celebrate women pilots, gossip, camp and have a good time. At that very first gathering, which was held at Saddle Mountain, there were a total of nine foot-launched female pilots- of both the hang gliding and paragliding persuasion. It would be interesting to talk to some of those early pilots to figure out how the female pilot population has grown since then. I'm sure USHPA would have those statistics. This celebration, conceived by Northwest women pilots to showcase women in the sport, has grown and evolved and now hosts participants from all over the US and Canada, and the world!
There are a few 'courtesy rules of the weekend:
#1- Women are the Queens of the Sky
#2- Men dive
#3- Women fly first
#4- Men may be asked to be wind dummies or "wind technicians"
#5- Men are supposed to set up and fold/ break down the women's gliders
#6- Men who find areas of lift/thermals are to leave that area to make it available for women pilots.
This is an incredible event with an ever-growing tradition of fabulous costumes and unbelievable flying contraptions. Wings are decorated with flags, streamers, glitter and smoke bombs. There are flying nuns, cows, bats, brides and pumpkins, witches and ghosts. Did you know that Bert and Ernie are rated pilots? Brilliant little feathers seem to end up everywhere, falling off of feathery boas and birds.
The contraptions are awesome- and scary in more than a Halloweeny kind of way. You can hear a chorus of rapidly beating hearts and gasps of "will it fly?" as giant dragonflies, and brilliant bumble bees take off Will that Viking ship float the clouds of Chelan? Will the full sized canoe find the headwaters of the mighty Columbia from 4,000 over? It's a dreamlike drama getting to watch the imagination of your fellow pilots take to the air!
Team Canada had been kicking the Yanks' butts with their fabulous antics and costumes until the Muppets chose to fight back in 2004 and, of course, "The Butt Of The Butte" is always up for international "grabs!"
There is a reason why some guys show up dressed as women for the Women's Halloween Fly-In. It's because it's been a day to honor women involved in the sport and to treat them extra 'specially nice'. Since the guys weren't initially invited, it was their way of wiggling into a great party! And to their credit, in spite of all of the perks favoring women pilots, Men always seem to have a good time too. So,you pretty little Geisha Goddess, Owena, Danna, Donna, Delvina, and Gordita- Please shave your legs before putting on a skirt this year!!
Flying may not be at its most epic in October, but what could be better than a perfect launch into Halloween wisps of cloud with friends who share the joy of flight? Who will be the winner of:
*Best Flying Contraption
-Female
-Male
*Best Couple
*Best Group
*Best Buttocks of the Butte
*Best Act
As always, there will be a great party and potluck meal(bring your potluck item) at the Chelan Airport's Pilot's lounge following a day of flying. Dance to great music, or cook up your favorite caldron of potions around the fire and join in the laughter and fun. And, in reply to your question, "Do I have to wear a costume?" The answer is a resounding "OF course! You don't want to be left out of the fun!"
There is also a Chili Cookoff Contest! Let's creat our own thermals for Sunday flights! Or for those of you that bake... a Pie Baking Contest!
Registration will be at the Chelan Falls Soccer fields at 10:00 am Saturday morning. See you there!!