As summer turns to Fall and the faded greens melt into color riot, more and more airmen are fitting themselves for pleasant flights. I like the Fall-time in Indiana. No state in the nation has so arranged its topography to mix scenic beauty with safety. From the lakes of the north to the wooded hills and young mountains of the south, Hoosierland wears her best dress everyday. And in today's aircraft you can land easily in almost any section of the state.

Sunday I checked at Municipal Airport and Smith Field for the names of new airmen. The number of new men flying is encouraging. New private pilots, airmen who are licensed to carry other human beings aloft with them are: Charlie Robinson, Bob Murchie, William Harvuot and Leo Bair. Jack Kessie, of Larwill has just soloed, and Johnny Long of Winona, is working from solo to private standing now.

In the meantime, some of the new private pilots are brushing the dust off their certificates and making flying a family affair. At Smith Field, Mr. and Mrs. Willis McCrory had just landed late Sunday from a trip to Pittsburgh. They left Warsaw Saturday, visited folks in Pittsburgh and arrived back at dusk Sunday evening.

Johnny White and a tiny bob-tailed White, together with Mrs. White were climbing out of a light plane while I was at the field. They had been for a pleasant evening ride over the lake district.

Curt Broughton and Bill Harvuot, sons-in-law of Frank Hartsock and Ray Strayer respectively are winging their way back to Warsaw Monday. They left early Sunday morning in Frank's Ercoupe for Minneapolis, Minn. Take-off time was at 6 a.m. They planned two stops at Rockford, Ill., and LaCrosse, Wis. From LaCrosse they expected to follow the newborn Mississippi upward to Minneapolis. They will visit relatives--Mr. Harvuot's sister and Mr. Broughton's grandmother. Try that trip for size in your automobile for two days!

Another interesting new student at Municipal Airport is 16-year old Chuck Fulkerson, of Warsaw. Chuck worked through the summer, saved his money to take flight instruction. His instructor reports the youth is quick to learn and may solo in a very short time. Youngsters learn so quickly and adapt themselves to new skills so readily--it's a joy to work with them as an instructor.

Kenny and I had Dutch Ford's four-passenger Stinson up for a spin in the late Sunday afternoon. The day was hazy, the view was a little short, but in the Stinson--very pleasant. That is a very nice airplane, by the way--combines economy of operation, ease of piloting, together with the luxurious inner appointments of an executive aircraft.

Once again I would call your attention to the fact that Sky Writing's gold trophy is up for stealing. At Municipal Airport, Sunday, Aug. 29, everyone is invited in for a basket picnic dinner. Then at one o'clock, pilots from Kosciusko county may compete in a spot-landing contest for the cup. Anyone is eligible. If you win, your name is engraved permanently upon the trophy, and it remains in possession of your home airport till someone takes it away in a future contest. Come and get it!

Several hot features are being planned for the Cleveland air races this year. On Sept. 5, nine U.S. Air Force jet planes, the F-80 like buzzed Warsaw Municipal, will engage in a straight race from Indianapolis to Cleveland, must reach 30,000 feet in altitude on the way. Boy!

Two Frenchmen will add spice to the races, appearing on the 4th, 5th and 6th. They are aerobatic champions Marcel Doret and Fred Nicole. Airman Doret does a stunting job in a glider that is more sensational than many power-plane flights.

I believe that in a week or two, we should all take another of those grand plane trips to some scenic spot and return to talk it over in Sky Writing. Any place in particular you'd like to go?

Warsaw Daily Times August 23, 1948