KVNC-Lunch Bunch MAR 27-2025

28 Mar KVNC-Lunch Bunch MAR 27-2025

Beautiful day in Sunny Florida, light to moderate winds, nothing to worry about even in a taildragger (God’s gift to aviation), all airports available for our use. Except Wauchula KCHN, they were hosting Benson Gyro Days and The Old Farts!

Seems we were inundated with official guests speaking to us today. First up was Emily Santana(no relation to Carlos) the manager of Skyport FBO at Venice Airport. She stressed that their desire was to establish a friendly relationship with all of us at the airport, along with outreach to the local Venice community, thus their sponsorship of the Venice Airport Day. Emily spoke of plans to build new commercial hangars East of their present building, This would involve moving the fuel farm with no solution to Self Service fuel until that move takes place. She also mentioned the FBO hosting events in their hangar such as a cookout and dance with a WWII theme, flight suits and such. She also mentioned the possibility of the return of some touring events such as we have had in the past, Warbirds, Tri-Motor, and that the FBO will support the Airport Day for next year.This is a refreshing change from the previous FBO management.

HQ staff briefed on the progress of the bathrooms, hangar sheetrock, and hangar doors, something about completion by April 15! The PAPI for 5/23 has been inop due to lightning strike during one of the hurricanes! TPA Tracon has been directing night jet traffic to RW 13, causing complaints! FDOT agreed to 80% funding to fix the PAPI lights. Jim Eppely still on the FAA to fix the AWOS, seems many airports in the SouthEast have the same problem, with the same contractor!!! Airport and City staff still negotiating with FEMA to pay for a solution to lock down the hangar doors during a storm! 

Guests today – Skylane Jack brought his 1966 College Roomate Lynn Schmidt(bought a VASI T)!,,,Cessna Greg with Brother Andy(USAF),, RV Randy with George Capadona, lives across the street from airport, enjoyed learning about the airport.

By this time, the pilots were eager to fly. KBOW Bartow, and KOBE Okeechobee were chosen as Targets for the Day. Hands raised indicating 18 to KOBE and 13 to KBOW. Several voiced their support of the restaurant at KBOW trying to keep it in business! By the way, Cruiser Jim left early to get a head start to KOBE. It didn’t help!! With a GS of 85 mph, Jim was late arriving at KOBE, but was greeted with a round of applause, and a saved seat! Meanwhile BLT Mick read the FAR disclaimer and the gang was off and running. Well, running until the traffic jam waiting for takeoff Runway 05!! There were a couple of gentlemen in the pattern, giving way to allow us to depart! Great flying conditions today, headwind to KOBE, then tailwind coming home!! All returned safely, Mission Accom[lished!!

Sun n Fun KLAL all next week, Lunch Bunch will still meet same time.

VASI Meeting April 16, Gene Benson, Combating Cognitive Decline!

FlyIn – EAA Picnic Manatee Airport Saturday morning, March 29, 11am

FlyIn – LeeWard Air Ranch Saturday March 29, 9am

By Dave Wimberly