OH, TO JUST FLY LIKE a BIRD..............
During the latter part of WWII, a young man from this area became a co-pilot, spending a lot of his military time in B-24's. He probably had no inkling at the time that one day he would have a son who would also grow up to be a pilot. Many years later, stories told by that father to his young son sparked an interest in the boy that would continue long into manhood.
Although Wade Nutzman has always loved being a passenger in airplanes, he never actively pursued the path of being a pilot, until a few years ago when he read an article about PPC's or "Powered ParaChutes". That type of flying really seemed to appeal to him, so more investigation into this curious type of flight was certainly in order. Finally...the opportunity to take a ride in one came along and he was hooked!
For more than a year, continuous research gave him enough confidence to purchase his first PPC, which he did in April of 2004. Luckily, he didn't have to drive far to find it, because it was located just a few short miles away at Lake Wa-Con-Da. An extra bonus was that the person Wade bought it from was also a certified flight trainer.
Since that time, Wade has clocked over 160 hours or an average of about 25 hours per year. He's flown in every month of the year, with most flights lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. However, a 10-gallon fuel tank on his two-seater, has occasionally allowed him to fly for two hours at a time with adequate fuel left over. If he had to find a downside to this type of flying, it would be that you cannot fly when there is very much wind. The maximum wind speed should be no more than about 10 mph, which means the best times to fly are typically early in the morning or later in the day, when winds usually calm down. Wade likes to take most of his flights an hour or two before sunset.
The term "low and slow" describes perfectly this type of flying. The 'low' takes place at an altitude, (done with the throttle), of between 200' and 500' above ground. Since there is no cab and turning is done with foot controls, the view is pretty much unobstructed. When altitude and direction are okay, there's plenty of time to soak in the beautiful view and take lots of pictures. He can also clearly see people waving to him from below. As for the 'slow' part, the speed is around 30 mph, depending upon the conditions.
Some people will purchase a smaller PPC to avoid the extra regulation that this larger one requires. The smaller ones don't have much regulation, at all, as a matter of fact...no inspections, no pilot certification, etc. However, this larger model, with the 2 seats and 10 gallon tank, does require more regulation. Wade's aircraft has been inspected by the FAA and is classified as an " ELSA" or Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. Also, Wade has met all the requirements by the FAA to be a Certified Sport Pilot and has to do a 'flight review' every two years, per FAA requirements. However, being a Certified Sport Pilot means that he absolutely cannot do anything for hire with his aircraft.
He thoroughly enjoys flying his unique aircraft and, lucky for us, he enjoys photography, too. He's taken many photos of Murray and the surrounding area and has been kind enough to share some of them with all of us. Have fun seeing how many familiar sites you can find.
Thanks, Wade, and happy flying!
Murray Presbyterian Church
ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, Sept 19, 2009
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$3 to fill a Brown Paper Bag, (bag provided)
Bake Sale, Breakfast & Lunch
Clothing & Treasures accepted and appreciated!
Drop-off times:
Wed, Thur & Fri, Sept 16, 17 & 18
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
105 W. Main St.
Murray, NE 68409
402-235-2754
PILLAGE the VILLAGE
PLAYIN' for the PARK CRUSADE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2009
MANLEY, NE COMMUNITY CENTER
Contact Betty Meyer, 402-234-5232
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Adult Kickball Tournament
Contact Shannon Josoff, 402-234-2480
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Concessions
Burgers, Hot Dogs, Snacks, Soft Drinks
10 a.m. till ?
Horseshoe Pitching and Ladder Golf
11 a.m. till ?
Kids Bike and Trike Races
Shoe Kick
Sack Races
Barrel Roll Race
4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join us for a Smoke-Roasted Chicken
or
Pork Dinner
or
BBQ Pork Sandwich
Serving in the Old School Building
5:30 p.m.
Registration for the Wild & Crazy Bed Races
6 p.m.
"Race Your Bed"
School Building Open All Day for Reminiscing
Come and Help Support Development of the
Manley Park / Community Center
FIDDLE MASTER CLASS
Debby Greenblatt, championship fiddler and fiddle book author, will be giving a "Fiddle Master Class"
Saturday, October 24, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
This informative, entertaining event is sponsored by the Big Muddy Fiddle Club. Participants may either play a tune they are working on for the group and get some coaching from Debby or ask a question about style, technique, or fiddle music in general. Master classes give every one a chance to get some help and support in their fiddling, while the whole group benefits from the teaching. Any skill level may participate. Not brave enough to perform in front of the group? Listeners may also register to sit in on the session and pick up some tips.
Seating is limited, register early!
Jamming will follow from 4:00-6:00 p.m. free of charge!
Coffee and snacks will be provided.
Questions? Contact Mary Pat Kleven, 402-490-6710, mpkleven@yahoo.com
(Participant fee: $15 (member) $25 (non-member); Listener fee $8 (member) $10 (non-member).
Make checks payable to "Big Muddy Fiddle Club" and mail to treasurer Dan Kane, 14518 Oak Street, Omaha, NE 68144)
RECIPE
The head cook at Fair Hills Resort near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota gave me this recipe about 30 years ago. She said it was one of their most requested. It's a keeper, alright!
CRUNCHY SUGAR COOKIES
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 c. flour
2 c. slightly crushed cornflakes
(granulated sugar for rolling dough in, if desired)
Oven 350*.
Cream sugar, butter, shortening and vanilla till creamy.
Mix soda, cream of tartar and flour and add to sugar mixture. Add cornflakes.
Roll into 1 1/2" balls and roll in granulated sugar, if desired. Place on UNGREASED cookie sheets about 2" apart. Do not flatten out.
Bake about 12 minutes or till very light, golden brown. Cool only 2-3 minutes on cookie sheet, then remove to cooling rack.