Raffle Prizes in place

The Air Rally is just around the corner. Hope you have all your plans completed for attending. Our plans are firming up.

The latest news concerns the raffle. We just received word from Aeroworks that they will be donating a 50cc Extra 300LP ARF-QB Quick Build to our little event. To get the details about the plane go to http://www.aero-works.net/store/detail.aspx?ID=330. If you don't already know this is a $700 ARF. Everyone knows the quality and workmanship in Aeroworks products. We really can't thank Aeroworks enough for that generous donation, but you can by making a note the next time you purchase something from their extensive product line.

The second prize will be a ready-to-fly Coverite GeeBee Sportster. This comes with an OS .46 and servos. Put a receiver in and go fly.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. You can purchase them at the rally or at Who's Hobby in Rapid City.

We met with Buffalo Chips owner Rod Woodruff last night. He took some time out of his busy, post-rally schedule to go over our to-do list. Rod told us this year's motorcycle rally was a great success, in spite of some thunderstorms -- one of which did thousands of dollars of damage to the Chip facilities and vehicles. They had reports of baseball size hail in that storm. Rod has offered us a LARGE indoor storage space for your airplanes. We will have to work out some logistics, but it looks like we will have abundant secure storage with electricity. He is putting together the steak fry for Saturday night. Just ask anyone who was here last year about that feed. Rod's staff will also provide a food concession -- and will make it available all three days this year.

While we were in Sturgis we looked over the field and will be starting the field work shortly. We will put up the barrier posts, mark the runway outlines and a few other tasks next week. If any of you can find a few hours to give us a hand send an email to jtiller@hotmail.com or zlr@rap.midco.net.

Our last stop was Chad Dixon's shop in Sturgis. He is donating some one-of-a-kind trophies to our event. You will not believe them until you see them. Some of you know the skills Chad has on CNC milling machines and, just let me say, he put them all to interesting use in this effort. Those trophies will be given away at the Saturday night steak fry.

Many of you who have been posting on the Air Rally threads on Flying Giants, RCUniverse, etc. Visiting those forums is another way to keep current with Rally updates.

We now have several places lined up for people to stay this year

• The Days Inn in Sturgis has given us a rate of $75/ night. Call them at 605-347-3027. Ask for the Air Rally rate.
• The Holiday Inn Express has given us a rate of $85/night, down from $125 normally. The number for the Holiday Inn Express is: (605) 347-4140. Ask for the Air Rally rate.
• The newest option this year is really pretty neat. Jack's Campers in Piedmont, SD will deliver and set up a camper for you on site. This puts you, literally, a few yards from the runway. He has 27 ft and 29 ft campers available. The 27 ft sleeps six. Call 605-787-9010. Ask for Jamie. If you had several in your party and wanted to share expenses, this might be real winner.
• The Buffalo Chip, once again, has some camping cabins available for rent. You can see what they are like on their website at www.buffalochip.com or call them at 605-347-9000.
  

2009 Air Rally Plans

The plans for the 2009 Air Rally are firming up. The site will be laid out as it was last year with 2 grass runways. There will, once again, be a $10 landing fee. The landing fee and the other prices listed on the web site will not change.

The raffle this year wil have at least two prizes. One prize has already been donated -- a Coverite Gee Bee Sportster with an O.S. .46 and servos.

We have had lots of early interest and already have a few registrations.

Great Air Rally Weather Forecast

Looks to be a great weekend. We will begin flying about noon on Friday.

On Saturday, we will begin about 8:00 AM. The Steak Fry is set for about 6:30 PM. We have over $500 hundred dollars of prizes to give away as well as a few awards at the Steak Fry. Don't miss that.

Fly as long as you want on Sunday.

Hope to see you all there.

Donation from Balsa USA

We have just received word that Balsa USA is donating a voucher for a 1/4 scale WWI kit. That voucher will be given away at the Steak Fry on Saturday night. A big thank you to Balsa USA for that generous gift.

We also have a raffle for an $600 Pitts Python ARF. Chances on that are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Saturday Night Steak Fry

Saturday Night at 7:00 we will have a steak fry at the Buffalo Chip Swimmin' hole. The steak fry is included in your pilot registration and is available to others for $25. The meal includes a sirloin steak cooked to order, potatoes, salad, bread and all the trimmings. After the meal we will present some awards and give out some free stuff. We will also have the raffle drawing for the Cox Pitts Python. You have to be there to win.

Buffalo Chip Shooting Site Open to Rally Attendees

The Bufflao Chip's trap shooting range will be open on Friday nite September 12th. Anyone coming to the rally may use the sites. Shooting equipment may be rented from the Chip if you do not bring your own.