Harper' s Fly-In Ranch Resort (0FL0) is a beautiful natural 50 Acre Ranch that was founded in 2003 by Bob & Suzi Harper in the farmland of Central Hendry County Florida.

Harper's pre-inauguration picnic fly-in became LAFA's September fly-out destination as well as that of many other flying clubs and individual pilots in Florida.

Due to the "greater than usual fly-out distance", our members departed at varying times from multiple locations depending on factors such as the speed and range of their aircraft.

Group 1: After an 08:00 pre-flight briefing at X51, Bob Musgrove, Mike Chin, Ron Russell, Dick Bronnenberg, John David, Roberto Gines and Danny B  departed for the first refueling stop at Opa Locka West. Bob, Mike, Roberto and Danny landed at Opa Locka West. The rest turned around at the Indian Casino due to lack of range, time, or both. Tim Fallon met up with the group at Opa Locka West and continued to Harper's with Bob and Danny after a second fuel stop at the "dust boll"..

Group 2: Consisted of Richard and Ricky Bragassa and Donny Amador who departed from Richards Field and Donny's Redlands home respectively.  They "met aloft" and flew directly to Harper's.

Group 3: In theory was going to consist of Felipe Marrou & Peter, Ryan and Patrick Volum in one plane, and Stuart Grant in another departing from Tamiami Airport, but Stuart was delayed so both planes flew independently.

John Bubel went directly to Harper's from River Acres, as did many independent GA pilots from varying points around Florida.

The Andersen clan (Ron, Claire and Ida) were - (again), the unselfish ultralight ground crew who arrived by land after stops at Opa Locka West and the dust boll, loaded with fuel containers.

For those of you who haven't been there before, Harper's is a really great flying destination.  It consists of a well maintained runway in the middle of Florida's nature surrounded by trees and wildlife.  A fishing stream goes through the property and facilities include hangars, camping areas, cabins and a shooting range.

Bob and Suzi Harper treated us to a delicious BBQ Chicken & Ribs picnic lunch while the great variety of planes that were present flew the pattern, did touch-and-goes, high-speed fly-bys and performed aerobatic maneuvers overhead. Except for one brief afternoon shower, the weather was perfect for the occasion.  All in all, it was a great flying day.  Thank you Bob & Suzi!!

Once the picnic was over, those of us who accepted Donny's offer to spend the night at his Lake Placid lakefront home, flew to Placid Lakes airport after a short "soda stop landing" at John Bubel's place in River Acres.  Donny landed at his lake and came to pick the rest of us us up at the airport.  

Life is good!

It was a long - tiring - but enjoyable - flying week-end.

(perhaps a bit too tiring for the youngest of the young 'uns)