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Each year people like myself go down to Sun N
Fun to see what's new, what's changed, what's no longer
here. We come back sit down at our computers and write the stories and
articles that you read in Ultralight Flying, UltraFlight, AeroSport
Connections, the Experimenter, Ultra Flyer and others.
But do you realize that we would not be able to
report on anything.... if it wasn't for the volunteers that donate their
time FREE to put on Paradise City!
These people show up on site 3 months before the
event starts, getting the site ready. Before the show opens they have to
have all of the fencing up, garbage barrels in place, runways marked,
loudspeakers installed and wired, schedules organized. They are
literally an army of worker ants, with the head ants of Paradise City
being Dave Piper and Tim Williamson.
Paradise City is just that a city. It requires
security, housing, transportation, water, hydro, phone, a town
hall. In addition "Paradise City" is one of the busiest
airports in the world! With more landings and take-offs recorded in the
seven days than handled by the U.S.'s busiest airport!
The airport personnel not only has to handle the
"local" flyers, the ones that get up at 7 in the morning to
attend briefings so they can fly in circuit. But is also
responsible for the "manufacturers showcase," where each day
they manufactures can demonstrate their planes abilities.
Then as demonstrated by Tim Williamson and John
Moody, they can put on a very entertaining show, on how to dismantle a
plane in flight, using a "shot gun" to the extent that it has
to land "without - landing gear, tail and engine!"
These people work from 5 a.m. through until dark
- the 7 days of the show, with temperatures
in excess of 80 degrees, in humidity, dust, wind, having to deal with
pilots, manufactures, the F.A.A., and reporters and
photographers!
Yet they do it always with a
"smile" - always with "polite authority."
Yet you will very seldom see their pictures, read their names, or see
much written about them.
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