Wings and Wheelz
Saturday Sept 12 was warm and sunny in Rock county Wisconsin...perfect weather for the Fly-in scheduled to begin at noon at Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport. The event had a clever catchy name...Wings and Wheelz, got it? Producers tom Morgan and Geri Conway cut off Registration at about 180 cars. So the car show was big success. 2 events were greatly satisfy the aviation buffs. One was a landing contest and one was to be a bombing contest using pieces of wood about half the size of a brick. The target was a blue tarp. Pilots paid a fee of only $15.00 to enter. Janesville resident Doug Treat entered BOTH events and Won them both. Doug has been flying about 7 years. He is a physical therapist, body builder, rides motorcycles and is working on a hobby in aerobatics.
For the contest he rented a Cessna 172, 1981 model, 180 hp., His lovely wife Brenda was co pilot and bombardier. They approached the target at 85 knots, at flight level 500 feet. Brenda released the two "bombs". Her best hit was only 40 feet off center. Nearest competitor was 190 feet off center. It is interesting that this bombing contest was also done in the very first air show in this country, in Los Angeles in 1910....the "bombs" were ORANGES.
For the Landing contest, a chalk line was drawn on the runway inside the threshold. The 2 main wheels were to hit the chalk line. No flare allowed on finals to slow air speed. No "S" curves or slips allowed to lower elevation and speed.. Rules allowed power to be cut and use of flaps, but no adding of flaps once set for the landing. A piece of cake for Doug and a 2nd trophy for smooth landing. Job well done, Doug and Brenda!
Story by Wayne Gauldin Photo by Carl Treat