[SleepyC]

Its that time again folks, the 2008 Tucson Aerobatic Shootout is fast approaching. As many of you know, our very own twostroke here on FG ( Tom Arnold ), Seth Arnolds dad, took on the task and doing a lot of us a favor last year, he transported planes from the North Central area to Tucson for the Shootout for several pilots.

Tom once again is looking at taking on this 4000 mile round trip drive to haul planes to Tucson but, this time in his 18 wheeler !

Tom is not looking or wanting to make any money out of this at all, just enough to cover the fuel expense to get out there and back. Last year it worked out very well for all who was involved, planes were loaded here at home or, along the way where someone may would set up a time and meet Tom along the way.

One thing with this, and many of you have either seen or heard the stories about shipping damage at times. With your planes in Toms hands, they will be loaded on his truck and trailer locked and not opened until it reaches Tucson for them to be unloaded.

As everyone knows, fuel is more expensive than it was last year, so the more that jumps on board the cheaper it will be for everyone.

From Toms house to Tucson, its 4,100 miles round trip. The plan is, 4100 miles divided by 6mpg = 683.33 gallons of fuel. Fuel is around $ 4.40 a gallon, 683.33 gallons multiplied by $ 4.40 = $ 3006.66 for fuel. Example, if there are 5 guys who want their planes hauled it would be, $ 3006.66 divided by 5 people = $ 601.33 a piece. If there were to be 6 people, the price would then drop to $ 501.11 a person ect. ect. So the more that participate, the cheaper its going to get.

At this time there has been 5 people that have spoken to either myself or Tom as to having interest in this and wants their planes hauled out.

The route that Tom will be traveling will be......

Out of Ohio on I - 71 to Ky. 71 down to I - 65 to Nashville, Tn. From there he will go I - 40 all the way to Little Rock, Ak. From Little Rock it will be I - 30 all the way to Dallas Fort Worth area. From there, I - 20 to I -10 through Elpaso all the way to Tucson. I will be giving updates on Toms movement and where he is during the day for anyone interested in following along the journey.

Now, if there is anyone that is interested that is going to be along this route, arrangements can be made to meet Tom along this route for him to pick up a plane/planes as long as it is close to the interstate, preferably a truck stop.

Just as last year, the trailer will be parked at the field and the guys who have planes hauled out will have use of the trailer all week for storage or a work area so there wouldn't be a worry as to transporting planes back and forth everyday from Desert Aircraft if you don't have a way to transport after you get there.

Tool boxes, fuel cans, parts, whatever you think that you may need to take just in case, that will be included with your plane. All items will need to be on some sort of a container or box so that there are no loose items in the trailer. All fuel cans will need to be EMPTY on the trip out and also coming back home so there is no gasoline in the trailer.

If for some reason that whomever is having planes hauled out want them to be dropped off at Desert Aircraft, that will be done upon his arrival.

Tom is planning on leaving on Tuesday Sept. 30th to head to Tucson, he should arrive there on the evening of Thursday Oct. 2nd. His plans on returning after the Shootout is to leave Tucson Monday Oct.13th.

Anyone having any questions can post here in this thread and either Tom or myself will promptly answer and get you the info you want.

Alright, come on guys, jump aboard The Tucson Express !