Spring is really here. I can give you a sure-fire formula for determining this phenomena. Spring is an intangible thing, to be found only in the hearts and minds of men. Robins and temperature, rain or snow, mud or sunshine, haven't a thing to do with it.

When Airmen start swapping aircraft, when operators poke their noses out of their shops and begin publishing ads on the price of gasoline, when new students show up at the fields and after proper beating around the bush announce they want to fly, when owners arrive on Sunday morning with soap and water to wash their airplanes--then folks, it is spring!

In a quick little trip around the perimeter of Koskoland this week, the pot was boiling. Sulfur and molasses time has arrived at the airport.

"Whitey" Fry at Plymouth airport has his eye on a new Stinson, is trying to set up his commercial course. During the past month Mr. and Mrs. Fry have signed up seven new students. Two, who have been around the airport all winter, limbered up with the coming of spring and secured their private tickets. They are Lawrence Weaver of Bremen and Floyd McAsee, of north of Plymouth.

 

Wayne Outcelt came out of his repair shop at Rochester like a hibernating bear, sniffed the wind and smelled tourists. Wayne announced a cut in gasoline prices to 26 cents a gallon as bait. They have a fleet of six red and cream Piper Cruisers based on the field at this time and 13 or 14 other aircraft, including a 200-mile per hour, 450-horsepower, five-passenger Beechcraft D-17. Helen, who gives CAA flight examinations, has passed Atwood's Charles Creighton for his private certificate. Farmer Creighton pilots his own Super Cruiser, hangars the plane at his own farm.

Russ Miller and Hubert Sutton are busy as beavers at the North Manchester airport. their sod field has been in good shape since the frost went out of the ground. They have signed up four new students in the past few days and announce that the line is forming to the left. A new Cessna 170 is expected to arrive in April.

At Mentone, where Chick Herendeen operates, many things are on the fire. That's where Charley Creighton learned to fly. Chick's G.I. program was dropped when he and Bud Summers had their crack-up last year. They have now been approved by the aeronautics board to place the program in operation, in conjunction with Warsaw's Joe Carlin. Both fields will inter-change equipment and instructors. Chick is mending well from the effects of his bump, has been doing his own flying for sometime. He goes to Indianapolis Wednesday for a check-up.

chick's son Bob, is now enrolled at Galesburg, Ill., in a flying school, has his commercial license and is read for his commercial license and is ready for his flight exam for instructor rating. By September, Bob will have his commercial instructor ticket and his Aircraft and Engine license, will be a big help to Chick.

So you see when these airports begin to resemble ant-hills, spring is here.

Airmail
This postcard arrived in the mail yesterday and I'll pass it on to you, to prove that nice people read Sky Writing: "Dear Sir: Our paper comes in the name of E. H. Kinsey. There are two old women here who never fail to read your column. We know nothing about airplanes, but often see them in the air between here and Mentone. We are two miles northwest. We've learned one thing especially, have often wondered why they circle, we know no. Success to you! Mrs. N. Irvine."

Thank you laddies. Perhaps your Sky Writer can also circle over your place one of these days.

Warsaw Daily Times Wed. Mar. 31, 1948

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