Report from the Austin-Houston-Dallas Hover-in, April 29, 2004. 

Another Memorial weekend has passed by and Lake Sommerville is back to normal.  The hovercrafts are gone, the people and tents have gone home and the lake is once again safe for the law abiding duck.

 This year we had six craft show up and a UH model hovercraft.  The wind was uncharacteristically high on Saturday which made hovering a sporting proposition.  It was hard flying into the wind and the cross winds were, well, interesting.  Even the water plows did not venture out for long as there were actual “white caps” just outside the sheltered inlet area.  Amazing!

 So we consoled ourselves with the inevitable fixing of hovercraft and like activities.  One fellow brought his AC-4 to the event.  This craft was purchased on Ebay some time ago and was not performing well.  Ralph DuBose noted that the fan was put on backwards.  That does make a difference!  Lane had a few wimpy skirt clips that needed to be replaced to set an example for the other clips.  And then there was my craft that will fly quite well backwards but is forward motion impaired.  It seems the splitter wings control needs more work as it would not provide full travel for the splitter and would jam under full throttle.  Well, nothing that weeks of work won’t solve.  But, I tell you true, seeing a big hovercraft move off the trailer backwards under control is worth seeing.  It is a seriously cool feature.  I never though much about going in reverse with the AC-3 which is just as well as it couldn’t.  Hopefully I will have the Canair in flying shape soon.

 We rented the air-conditioned pavilion which was a good move as it was toasty on Saturday.  The band, The People’s Choice, began playing around 6pm and we all enjoyed the music in the cool pavilion.  Lane and his wife Rhonda even took the floor for a dance. They had some remarkably talented folks in the band.  Then we enjoyed the pork, beef and chicken BBQ dinner.  Most of us stuffed ourselves but there was still a great deal remaining for late night snacks. 

 After dinner the wind had calmed down some and Lane and Rudy provided rides for all that wanted one.  Lane provided rides in his AC-3 and Rudy gave rides in the larger Hovertour 700.  The band members and their guests went for ride after ride.  They clearly had a good time.  Thanks Lane and Rudy for providing the rides!

 As for the camping, well most folks just bring a tent.  The more adventurous might bring a fan.  But for Lane, a fan just was not going to cut it.  No, something more was needed.  And something more he brought.  Yes, it was an airconditioner for his tent.  Not just some store purchased item – but an honest to goodness self designed water cooled airconditioner.  All day he was reminding us that he had his airconditioner and how he looked forward to being in the cool tent at night.  In truth it did seem to work pretty well.  And work it did – for two hours.  It worked by running ice water through a radiator that had a fan blowing air over it.  As long as the ice held out, life was good.  But all good things come to an end and so it was with the ice.  And after the ice age Lane was left to enjoy all the benefits of the great outdoors with the rest of the campers.  It was a neat idea however and Lane vows to bring a bigger airconditioner next time.

 I ended up leaving about 10pm as I was not feeling too good.  I think I had gotten too hot working on the Canair in the heat of the day and with the extra heat provided by the exhaust system.  Or it could have been the lack of sleep the prior week but I ended up sleeping most of Sunday.

 All-in-all, we had a good time and hopefully the next time the wind will be more accommodating.  I would also like to thank Lane and Hovercrafts of Texas and Rudy and the Hovercraft Store for their generous donations to help support this hover-in.

 Till next time,

Hover safely