Author Topic: Wilma's Aftermath (Read 260 times)

Golfer · « **on:** November 04, 2005, 10:50:16 PM »

I haven't been there personally to see the damage but was able to talk to a buddy/squaddie/former employer/coworker type guy tonight for the first time since.

Sent me these images of Lantana's Airport (KLNA) just south of Palm Beach International. I bow my head in silence at the infamous purple piper below as I've happily flown the airplane

As I understand Boca got it's butt kicked as did Stuart. No photos from there here but Wilma caught a lot of folks off guard. I was even told of 140mph winds several times during it's passing in the Palm Beach area (Atlantic...not Gulf side) after it passed over land.

I'm quite happy to no longer reside in Florida.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2005, 12:05:22 AM »

Do planes always go belly up like insects when they die whilst on the ground? LOL

Sorry. thats the first thing that came to mind:)

Debonair · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2005, 12:29:54 AM »

I was wondering why the cardinal didn't flip. High wing, high CG, it should go over easier than a Pa-28, also why werent they all flown to a safe location or hangared.....Now I'm wondering if a Hurricane passing over the everglades is less like passing over land more like passing over warm water minus the effects of friction caused by high seas.

Golfer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2005, 10:54:16 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Debonair
I was wondering why the cardinal didn't flip. High wing, high CG, it should go over easier than a Pa-28, also why werent they all flown to a safe location or hangared.....Now I'm wondering if a Hurricane passing over the everglades is less like passing over land more like passing over warm water minus the effects of friction caused by high seas.

I asked many of the same questions. I'm told that the forecasters wern't even close to correct and the folks took it for the 'not big deal' it was supposed to be. Regardless, of the damaged airplanes on the field...maybe 8-10 were salvagable.

Also, the T hangars (which had been standing since the '70s) all collapsed. Two T hangars made it, and several of the large hangars including a large paint shop and large maintenance shop were destroyed. Wouldn't have done any good in there.

Habu · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2005, 04:40:56 PM »

If anyone owns a plane in Florida and wants to move it somewhere safe next time a hurricane is forcast contact me.

I would be glad to help move it.

Serious.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2005, 04:46:36 PM »

A little bondo....some ductape should be good as new!

Chairboy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2005, 05:33:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Habu
If anyone owns a plane in Florida and wants to move it somewhere safe next time a hurricane is forcast contact me.

I would be glad to help move it.

Serious.

Ditto.

Tarmac · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2005, 06:34:14 PM »

Yeah, seems like there'd be quite a bit of guys in the small plane community that would be more than willing to fly people's planes out of the hazardous region.

Scootter · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2005, 03:17:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Tarmac
Yeah, seems like there'd be quite a bit of guys in the small plane community that would be more than willing to fly people's planes out of the hazardous region.

Last year I hooked up with someone (Bruce and his wife Mary) on the Cessna Pilots Association and they flew their 210 and my Cessna to N.C. to get away from Frances, three weeks later I flew to North GA. to get away from Jean. It took 6 months to get the doors fixed on our T-hangers here in Vero. We have new code hangers and now with the modified doors (bolted down) they can (and have) withstood 130+ MPH winds, no problems here with 100 MPH from Wilma thankfully as I was in the middle of an annual inspection. I have shifted the annual to Nov. to get the heck out of Hurricane season.

I hope not to need the service, but I thank you for your offer.