2006 Kanab Canard Aircraft Fly-in/R.A.C.E.

(by Joe Dubner)

It's not called a race these days but rather a "cruise" or "tour" of the old race course.  Nevertheless, as Keith Spreuer wrote in the C-A mail list: "nine of us did a tour of the old course and couldn't help but see what times our airplanes could do."  There were twenty-something airplanes in attendance and another dozen or so airplane owners or wannabee owners.  Some of the locals turned out because the event was given some good publicity in the newspaper.

The course starts and ends at the Kanab airport (KKNB).  It's 98 statute miles long with two long and one short leg west of Kanab (toward Page, AZ with a brief view of Lake Powell).  The terrain is high and most of the race is flown above 6000 MSL with the requirement to remain 100 AGL crossing the finish line.   It wasn't hard to remain above 100 AGL as the last leg takes one over or along the face of some sheer red bluffs.

I took only a few pictures myself but Tom Wu (thank you, Tom!) sent me a bunch from which I've selected some for your viewing pleasure.    However, the written comments are all mine :-)  I hope I put the right names with the airplanes.  Send any corrections, complaints, or comments to me via Email at jdubner at yahoo dot com

 

Arrival Scene
Arrival Scene at Kanab
This is what the ramp at Kanab looked like around noon on arrival day (Saturday, September 2).  Still to arrive were most of the Chino bunch.   During the "tour" we fly right along the face of that bluff in the right foreground as we descend to cross the finish line.

David Orr with Andreas Pico
David Orr with Andreas Pico
David Orr (a.k.a. Beagle) gave Andreas Pico a ride to and from the event.  Andreas is a soon-to-be VariEze owner and is also active duty USN.  And he's a good sport: he went jogging with me on race day (Sunday) morning.  David briefed and led the formation, then RTB'd rather than fly the entire tour.

Bruce Vinnola
Bruce Vinnola and His E-Racer
Here's Bruce Vinnola standing with the very nice O320 E-Racer he built.  Bruce flew in from Wyoming and ties with me for the longest distance traveled (I came from northern Idaho).

Gary Spencer
Gary Spencer with N51EZ
Gary and Char Spencer built and operate this 360 cubic inch Ford V8-powered Long-EZ out of Inyokern, CA.
JaySkovbjerg
Jay and Margit Skovbjerg

 Jay and Margit Skovbjerg.  This is an O320 Cozy.  Caught speeding at 212.54 MPH on the tour.

Big Bird
Gay Hamilton with Big Bird
Gay Hamilton and his fairly rare Twin Navion.  It just seemed so natural to call his airplane "Big Bird" (so everyone did!).  IIRC those are two Lycoming O340s (yes, that's not a typo).  Clocked at 167.28 MPH.
Keith Spreuer
Keith Spreuer's Cozy Mk IV

 Keith Spreuer and his 230 HP Subaru-powered Cozy went by the callsign of "Gray Cowl".


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