Christmas Party

The annual MPA Christmas party was a great success - we were pleased with the venue and look forward to holding next year's party at the Oriental Jade once again. If you missed it and would like a copy of the 2008 MPA Highlight video, just send an email to John G at gobelj@gmail.com and he will drop one in the mail to you.

We hope you all had a great Holiday and wish you the very best for 2009! Think "winter flying"... no, not freezing cold temperatures and frozen fingers.. just fun, fun , fun!

Winter flying... already??

Those folks up in Presque Isle sure know how to start their December! The following pictures were taken of Gary L. on the first day of December. Time to put those skis on!

Presque Isle Fly-In

Better late than never, right? Even though the Presque Isle fly-in was officially canceled, some of the local boys got together for some fun. Below, Gary L. and Joe F. are shown flying around Cyr's field.

More photos from Norridgewock

Synchronized landing

Jerry and Ray practicing their synchronized landing
routine. Great job, guys!

Taxiing techniques

Rob

Mike (while Robin looks on in awe!)

John

Ray (with John & Aimee admiring his style)

Jerry doing a fly- by wondering why everybody landed so soon?

You better believe it!

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More accomplishments at Norridgewock

Charles with John for his bi-annual checkride

Mike being congratulated by John after achieving

his sport pilot license!

Robin with John for his bi-annual checkride

note John's white knuckled grip on the bars

Another checkride successfully completed.

It should be noted that John kissed the ground after

each flight but the photograper had gone for hot coffee!

Norridgewock Fly-In

Though the colors seemed to have peaked before our arrival, the scenery around Norridgewock was still beautiful.

Wow was it cold this weekend! With freezing temperatures, everyone had to drag out their full winter gear to stay warm.

Yvonne from MA came all the way to Norridgewock for an introductory flight. She was brave enough to hang out with us all day until the winds died down for a flight and Rob was kind enough to take her up (pictured below). Needless to say, Yvonne is hooked and hopes to be in her own plane in the near future.

Congratulaions to Randy and Mike!

Congratulations to Randy for obtaining his CFI rating! It's finally official and to mark the occasion, Randy flew out to Norridgewock to endorse Mike for his final check ride for the Sport Pilot license. The picture above was taken during the check ride and below, Randy is kissing the ground after making it back alive. (seems to be a tradition among this group even though they're all safe pilots)
Proud pilots: Randy's first endorsement and Mike is one step closer to getting his Sport Pilot license. The following day he completed all the necessary steps and now has his official license. Congratulations guys!

New Location for October Fly-In

Due to the rough condition of the field in Fairfield, the Fly-In this weekend, October 17-19, will be held at Norridgewock.

Directions to Norridgewock:

From I-95 take exit 39 Newport.

Off the highway take RT 2 West through Skowhegan and into Norridgewock.

Go into town, then right turn on Airport Road.

For more information, please go to the MPA website at www.mainepowerchutes.org

We hope that many of you will be able to attend this event as it is our last one for 2008.

Birthday Flight

Christine from central Maine received an unusual gift from her son for her 60th birthday - a flight in a PPC! John flew her around southern Maine early Sunday morning and they enjoyed some spectacular yet cool weather with great scenery. Christine was thrilled by the gift and loved the experience. Below are some pictures of their flight.