We've survived the first day of credentials check-in. Surprisingly, we had very few problems with people and their licenses, medicals, flight reviews, insurance forms, and training certificates. Nobody really got into any trouble! Almost all of the airplanes are here; I think we're only missing about six or so. Tomorrow is the arrival deadline, so everyone should be pulling in at some time or another.
Today was a very, very long day. Did you know it gets light in Iowa City at 5:00AM local time? I didn't either until this morning. Sunshine laser beams through the window! We were up at 6:00AM, reported for credentials at about 8:00AM, and we've just gotten settled back into the hotel (10:30PM). We had a really good dinner at this place called "The Brown Bottle." It's Italian, and boy is it good. I'm just about ready to go into a pasta coma.
This airport is starting to get flooded with planes. I'm anticipating a nightmare when all fifty of us try to depart at once. The airport does not have a tower, so it should be . . . entertaining. I'll have to run out and take some pictures once all of the airplanes report. It's nuts.
I did see something entertaining today. A big medical helicopter came into the ramp, and was setting down next to a very nice Bonanza (the Bonanza wasn't part of the race). Well, the downwash from the rotor was rocking this poor Bonanza, and it didn't have a gust lock in. The control surfaces were flapping and fluttering, and I'm fairly certain it took a little bit of damage. The owner comes running out, and words were flying between him and the helmeted helicopter folks. I'm not sure what was said, but it ended in the Bonanza being tugged down to the maintenance hangar. Ouch!
Our airplane is all inspected, handicapped, and checked in, so after we get everyone else checked in, it *should* be smooth sailing for us until departure. We'll see. It's still a little far out to be worrying about weather, but I'll start watching that very closely probably around Sunday.
Time for that pasta coma . . .
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