Sky Writing will hereafter come in a new dress and on an abbreviated schedule. It has been published, good, bad and indifferent on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, since its inception 116 columns ago. It just can't be done that often without "padding." From now on, you may expect the column only each Monday. This arrangement gives me Sunday afternoon to scout a little real news and Sunday evening to write it.

This weather prophet drove a pokey automobile all the way to Logansport Sunday morning and return because he thought it was going to storm. It didn't rain a drop all day.

Just for revenge Kenny, Jerry, their aunt Helen and I, poked holes in the clouds Sunday afternoon. It still didn't rain. The boys gave me quite a thrill during our sight-seeing jaunt in the p.m. One of those things not in the least dangerous, makes a good story and left a chunk bitten right out of the top of my heart.

We were idly circling over our house in the center of Warsaw at 1,200 feet, with Kenny and Jerry excitedly pointing out all the houses they could identify, when the engine sputtered clear down to nothing at all. Before the first hot film of sweat broke through my skin, we were gliding for the inviting opening of the fair grounds. I was reaching around inside the cockpit like a windmill in a cyclone, checking everything, when my elder gremlin Kenny, mildly suggested that he had bumped the throttle shut with his elbow. As simple as that! We continued to fly around awhile, but I'll bet he still wonders why his old man looked so white for the next five minutes.

The Matt Daltons of East Main street are on an interesting trip due back today. They have spent about a week, flying through the Carolinas with Matt doing his own piloting. His pretty wife, nice too, went along for the ride.

The list of folks learning to fly, receiving private tickets and preparing to enjoy the air-age becomes astoundingly long with each passing week.

Perry Smith of Warsaw is flying now with a private license. Leo Blair of South Whitley, has soloed an airplane, is now on his way toward a higher rating. Ralph Coblentz of Warsaw joined the growing group of air-students on Sunday. Don Shilling of Winona is taking lessons. Jack Longenecker is trying for wings. Jim Painter of Warsaw is another pilot-to-be.

Pat Haynes is always coming up with something new. This time its a four-month-old puppy for an aerial mascot. On a recent trip to Fort Wayne with the aviatrix, the pup went to sleep, bored with it all.

Warsaw merchants and manufacturers are in a much more favorable position than most in case the threatened railroad strike develops. We have more than our share of good airplanes for hire or charter with capable men to fly them. I can truthfully say that I would start to fly anywhere with confidence with any of the local operators or their instructors. You could too.

Freddy Strauss has his new twin-engined Cessna, which is made to order for bulky cargo. Paul Lowman has a Stinson for such work and so does Joe Carlin. All of them have access to other aircraft for most any transportation job that needs doing, either men or material.

In mid-June folks for miles around will get a very special treat when the Warsaw Municipal Airport is dedicated with a big display of new aircraft, an airshow, balloon ascension, parachute drops--many wonderful and thrilling events. Maybe even one very special extra deal which is still "top secret." We'll keep you informed. This much I know. There will be more than a hundred ships parked on the field.)

Johnny Whittenberger, after whom the Wabash airport is named learned to fly at Rochester, later worked at Hooten Airport, Logansport, has just been named manager of a flying service at Kokomo. I know a real funny story about Johnny that happened around here close. Remind me to tell it to you sometime.

Bell helicopters have entered crop-dusting service in Indiana and are available through the Stewart Motor Sales helicopter division, Indianapolis. The efficiency of these rotor-winged craft for dusting is unbelievable.

All conditions of safety and competency having been accomplished, G.I. flight training has now been started at the Mentone airport, Chick's south of town and just west of road 19. It's a fine thing to have such good facilities pioneered in the smaller towns of our county.

Warsaw Daily Times, Mon. May 10, 1948