IFFR Americas members Steve Elefant and Cynthia Adams, with support from Tim Morgan, arranged an outstanding Fly/Drive-In between 15 and 19 February, kicking off the IFFR Americas Fly/Drive-Ins for 2024 with a bang. Visiting Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio and La Quinta areas in Southern California. The weather – Severe Clear was the word for the whole Fly/Drive-in.
Attendees included three IFFR Past World Presidents and members from Denmark, Germany and Alaska. Tim and Vickie Puliz flew ‘Twinkee’ their Twin Comanche in from Reno, Nevada and Sam Bishop and Elena flew in from Northern California. Local members and friends from far and wide joined the wonderful fray.
Most of the flyers landed on Thursday at Jacquelin Cochran Field KTRM Thermal, CA. Attendees stayed at the Residence Inn La Quinta. Several attended the La Quinta Rotary Club for lunch on Thursday – Steve and Tim were the founders of that club a couple of years ago and Tim is currently President.
The Palm Springs Air Museum Tour on Saturday was a big hit. The highlight was a talk and great videos presented by Robert(Bob) Lilac, a U.S. Air Force pilot with 4000 plus hours of flying time in 28 different types of aircraft, primarily F-100, F-104, A-10, F-5 and A7D. Later he became the Chief of Test for the F-5E Program.
On Sunday The Red Jeep Tour Company gave everybody a fantastic and historically detailed tour during which they experienced, with awe, the inspiring natural beauty of the Coachella Valley and the famous San Andreas Fault. They were introduced to the geological wonders and breathtaking landscapes that made this region in Southern California so unique.
Section Leader Penelope Cornwall commented: “As an underlying note we shared what the word ‘Fellowship’ really means – enjoying each others company both new and old. We had the pleasure of inducting Steve Garfein from Palm Desert into the IFFR fold. Of course aviation and aviation related themes of conversation ran amuck. We all immediately became foodies as superb venues were chosen for us by our hosts Steve and Cynthia where we convened for cocktails, lunch and dinner – a few well earned Kilos/pounds were added.”
