CAMP JEEP 2001, JULY 25-28 by Bob Mills

What in the world is Camp Jeep? Well, I will try to explain the best I can.

Several years ago the Daimler-Chrysler Corporation began inviting Jeep owners, from all over the country, to a ?rally of Jeeps?. Several thousand Jeep owners and their families converged onto Oak Ridge Plantation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains near Lynchburg, Va. The cost of attendance is $300. For that they get to have races and other competitions, such as a very rugged obstacle course. In some cases vehicles even had to be towed of the course.

Entertainment was also provided in various forms. One of the more notables was Lee Anne Rimes who sang on Saturday night. Others were a golf pro and a colonial village was set up. But important was the flight school set up by the AMA. The over 800 people who came through were first introduced to the AMA, then moved onto a flight simulator and then they went to the flight line. There were four pilot stations set up. There were 3 persons at each station: a pilot, an observer, and a trainee on the buddy box. There were 3 planes per station and even though the trees were to close for comfort only two were lost in over 800 flights. Training flights were given from 9am to 11am and from 12 to 3pm.

Demo flights were flown 11am to 12pm and 3 to 4pm. Quique Somenzini (from Argentina) with his fuel injected OS Max TOC plane and Gary Wright with his helicopter and fixed wing electric plane put on a show you would not believe.

Behind the flight line was the spectators area and large groups of people were usually present. Chuck Foreman, our district IV VP did a fine job correlating the event. Joyce Hager and Carl Maroney from AMA headquarters were also present.

All in all it was a most enjoyable but tiresome experience. - Bob Mills