The Weekender: Toys, Chili and Ski-Outs

The holiday spirit is gearing up on SocialFlight, where winter flying and Christmas treats are plentiful, snow or no snow. On Saturday, Oceano Airport in California will host its annual Toys for Tots event in cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and enjoy the fun. Arrivals and holiday beverages will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a Central Coast Smokers BBQ and Reindeer Games. Also offered are rides in a 1943 Super Stearman Yellow Biplane and skydiving. San Carlos Flight Center in the Bay Area will have pilot Dan Zitter discuss flying out for a day ski trip toTruckee and Lake Tahoe. He will discuss how to take advantage of local transportation, how to anticipate good and bad weather, and considerations for safely flying to the mountains in winter, including route selection and go/no-go decisions. Take part with planning for upcoming FlyOutGroup (FOG) ski trips to put Dan's method into action.

Heading east into the snow belt, EAA Chapter 93 on Blackhawk Airfield in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, will hold its annual Tom Rebholz Memorial Chili Fly-In, providing chili, fixings and drinks for free. Donations are welcome in memory of Rebholz, a former chapter president. Attendees can participate in judging the chili and an award will be given to the winning chef. Further east, Massey Aerodrome in Maryland, home of the Massey Air Museum, will hold its annual Open Hangar Party and Fly-In on Sunday. Bringan hors d'oeuvre and expect to see interesting planes. Have a motorcycle, vintage car or hot rod, come early, park up front around the DC-3 for everyone to see. Check out more holiday-themed events on SocialFlight.