By Robin Field-Turner, Committee Member, DPA 11th Annual Fly-in

Travelers of all ages will appreciate the wealth of information and entertainment Georgia has to offer. Whether you love music, science, sports, art or history, there's something here for you. Let your mind become alive as you travel by plane or car.

Take a trip to Newnan, Georgia, on this special journey especially designed for pilots and acquaintances with hearing loss. For those of you who have never been to the Atlanta Metro area, you will experience one of the most outstanding and comfortable places on earth. One of the best descriptions of Georgia can be heard in the song "Georgia on My Mind," designated as the official song of the State of Georgia, with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell and music by Hoagy Carmichael. After visiting the towns of Georgia, we are sure you will agree.

Southwest of Atlanta is Coweta County, home to Newnan, known as the "City of Homes." Although the city was the site of a bloody Civil War battle, it was spared the devastation so many towns experienced and it has one of the most magnificent displays of antebellum and Old South homes near Atlanta. Newnan was named after General Daniel Newnan. It was once a major cotton-shipping center. It was the filming location for the 1990s TV show "I'll Fly Away." In fact, the historical society offers maps and walking tours. Callaway Gardens, Warm Springs and Roosevelt's Little House are just a short drive away. You may want to plan your trip to coincide with the 11th Annual Deaf Pilots Association Fly-In.

We have excellent accommodations in Newnan and will provide an outstanding itinerary of events throughout our DPA journey, so please try not to miss this special trip! If you feel you are being called to the Peach State, then answer our DPA invitation. Traveling to the Southeastern region is truly a life-changing experience! Your excursion begins the moment you say: "Yes, I will go." Here is our itinerary:

Monday, July 12

Fly your plane into Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO).

This facility offers a 5,000-foot long paved runway at an elevation of 970 feet, about four miles from Newnan. If you are looking for rental aircraft, you may e-mail John Hickman, owner of Sky's Aircraft, at skysflys@numail.org, at least two weeks in advance for a reservation. Alternatively, you may call 770-253-2774 or fax at 770-253-2778.

The terminal at Newnan-Coweta County Airport. Its 5,000-foot-long runway can handle the most ham-handed short-field landing.

Calvin Walker, CCO Airport manager, will greet you upon arrival. Take a taxi ride or a rental car to our headquarters motel, SpringHill Suites, 1119 Bullsboro Dr, Newnan, Ga. 30265. If you are arriving at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, you can drive to the SpringHill Suites by rental car or limousine. Rate is $69; call 770-254-8900 or fax 770-254-8950. Be sure to ask for the DPA rate. We will have an "icebreaker" gathering from 5 p.m. to 8 pm, with hors d'oeuvres and drinks. From 8 pm to 10 pm, the Deaf Pilots Association's Board Meeting will take place.

The SpringHill Suites in Newnan.

Tuesday, July 13

A continental breakfast will be served at the dining area of the hotel in the early morning. At 7 am, we will depart Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO) for Moton Field Airport (06A) in Tuskegee, Alabama, located 69 nm southwest. This facility offers a 5,000-foot long paved runway at an elevation of 264 feet, about three miles from Tuskegee. The brave black military aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen were trained at Moton Field. Despite a common misbelief that they, as African-Americans, didn't possess the abilities to be effective fighters, the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II proved that they were among the best pilots in the North African, Sicilian, and European campaigns. By any standard, these Tuskegee Airmen were and are American heroes. The airport and a museum are now featured attractions of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site that we will visit. In doing so, we will offer a patriotic wreath as a tribute to these African-American military aviators.

On Tuesday, July 12, we'll see artifacts of the famed Tuskegee Airmen at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Ala., including this photo of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, who led the P-51 Mustangs of the storied 332nd Fighter Squadron in the European theater during the Second World War.

Next, we will fly to Jack Edwards Airport (JKA) in Gulf Shores, Alabama, 165 nm northeast. At this airport, a van will be waiting to take us to lunch eight miles away at Lambert's Cafe, in Foley, Alabama, the only home of the "Throwed Rolls." You are advised to carry cash, as credit cards are not accepted. (An ATM machine is available, with a $1.50 fee). Lambert's Cafe does not take reservations, but they would like us to let them know when we will be dropping by. This cafe is placed next to a factory outlet mall and variety of places to visit. Afterwards, we will return to Newnan, 234 nm northeast.

We'll eat "throwed rolls" in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The terminal at Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores, Ala., where we'll land for lunch at Lambert's Cafe.

Layout of Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores, Ala., as seen in a display inside the terminal.

In the twilight sky, we will take a ride on the MARTA rapid transit system to Atlanta Metro and downtown. This rail system operates from approximately 5am to 12am daily. It's hard to believe from the city's gleaming metropolitan center, but Atlanta Metro is dotted with genuine antebellum homes, historic attractions and compelling museums that capture both the romance and reality of days gone by. Underground Atlanta is a popular entertainment complex of restaurants and shops that has been developed in subterranean passageways beneath 19th century railroad bridges. Just across the street from Underground Atlanta is the World of Coca-Cola Museum. Here, you can learn about the history of Coke through interactive exhibits and videos, and taste Coca-Cola products from around the world as you experience a very rare soda fountain. Also Underground Atlanta is next to the Georgia State Capitol, the working center of Georgia's government and the proud home of its citizens. Take a horse-carriage ride or walk to Centennial Olympic Park, a gathering place in the heart of the city that is a legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games. See the dramatic Olympic Rings Fountain, Water Gardens and Quilt Plazas. Another Olympic Legacy is Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Also in midtown, you can see the Margaret Mitchell House, where she wrote her famous novel Gone with the Wind. (Remember the movie?) We'll come back to our headquarters at SpringHill Suites for the night.

The Margaret Mitchell House is one of the many great sights in Atlanta.

Wednesday, July 14

Enjoy a view of the swimming pool by sitting outside during breakfast. Then take a ride to the Newnan Coweta County Airport hangar for the FAA safety seminar, which will be voice and sign interpreted, starting at 9 am. Mark Ward, Air Traffic Manager of Tactical Operations and Acting Air Traffic Manager of Operations, will speak about TFRs (temporary flight restrictions), and explain how they could and will affect all pilots. He works with this issue every day and observes a number of pilots violating the TFRs or worse, being forced to land by an F-16. This will be a good time for some great education about this process.

Another guest speaker, DPA member J. T. "Thom" Riddle, will compare the existing FARs (Federal Aviation Regulations) to the proposed rules of the FAA's Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft regulations. Group photographs will take place after the FAA seminar.

Lunch is on your own.

In the afternoon, with details to be announced, we will have the flying contest. Our subjects will be photographed with the backdrop of an aircraft at the Coweta County Airport Hangar. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., we will enjoy a Fiesta evening with a choice of roast lamb or pork, prepared by a deaf Greek friend of the fly-in committee, who is a gourmet cook. Sip and munch, while listening to Latin fiesta music and dancing around a sombrero. Everyone should wear Western clothing for a contest.

Thursday, July 15

Before breakfast, consider jogging or walking at Newnan Coweta County Airport. The general membership meeting and Board elections will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

For lunch, fly into St. Clair County Airport (PLR), in Pell City, Alabama, 76 nm west-northwest. This airport offers a paved runway of 5,000 feet at an elevation of 485 feet, about three miles from Pell City. At St. Clair County Airport, taxi up to Sammie's Touch'n'Go, a nice eatery just east of the approach end of Runway 20. Walk right into a log cabin restaurant adorned with all kinds of aviation paraphernalia. Their cleverly worded menu includes "Pre-flights" (appetizers), "Lighter than air" (low-calorie stuff), and sandwiches such as the "Cub" (club). Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

After lunch, fly toward Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and appreciate the beautiful views of Chattanooga, including the Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City and the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Lookout Mountain is located in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where trails run along old Indian paths and railroad beds and through Civil War battlefields. The Tennessee River was once a rough and wild waterway, but it was tamed by the Tennessee Valley Authority during the 1930s and '40s with a series of dams. Fly back to CCO (Newnan Coweta County Airport) for the evening.

A view of Chattanooga, Tenn., from Lookout Mountain, which we'll fly over after lunch at Pell City, Ala., on Thursday, July 15.

Friday, July 16

Stretch your body when getting up, and enjoy breakfast. We'll then take wing to Middlesboro-Bell County Airport (1A6), 204 nm north-northeast. This airport has a 3,630-foot long paved runway at an elevation of 1,154 feet, about one mile from Middlesboro, Kentucky, and four miles from Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.

At this airport, you'll find the Lost Squadron Glacier Girl Museum. Don't miss the story of a 10-year restoration of a P-38 that landed on the Greenland ice cap on July 15, 1942, and later recovered from over 280 feet of ice in the summer of 1992. Bring your cameras and camcorders.

The restored Glacier Girl, a Lockheed P-38 Lightning that landed on the Greenland ice cap in 1942 and was recovered from hundreds of feet of ice half a century later. We'll see her at Middlesboro-Bell County Airport, Kentucky, on Friday, July 16.

On your way back to CCO (Newnan Coweta County Airport), stop at Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), 39 nautical miles south. Here, at the founding site of the International Deaf Pilots Association in 1994, we will celebrate our 10th anniversary. Here, the paved runway runs for 3,500 feet at an elevation of 833 feet.

Friday sundown, July 16

The DPA fly-in committee will impress you with a 10th Anniversary Banquet from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Something Special home (now a special events center). This attractively renovated antebellum home at 83 Greenville Street in Newnan was built in 1859. It is also a place to enjoy that personal touch that you can't find anywhere else. It truly brings thoughts of "Gone with the Wind" to mind. Take pleasure in eating, drinking, and chatting. There will be opening and closing remarks. Dressy evening attire is suggested; please do not show up in shorts or jeans and T-shirt - that's so declasse.

The Something Special restaurant, an 1859 mansion in Newnan where we'll have our 10th anniversary banquet Friday, July 16.

Saturday, July 17

After enjoying breakfast, we'll launch to Cornelius-Moore Field Airport (4A4) at 9 am. 46 nm northwest, this airport has a paved runway of 4,000 feet at an elevation of 973 feet, about five miles from Cedartown, Georgia. Here, Atlanta Skydiving Center provides tandem skydiving. Depending on how many people participate, Lisa Fugh, office manager of Atlanta Skydiving Center, can offer a tandem skydive at a discount rate of $119 (normally $205), and a video and stills package for $75 (normally $85). There is a cafe‚ out back, where you can get lunch.

A sunset quartet jump at Atlanta Skydiving Center near Cedartown, Ga., which we'll visit for jumping on Saturday, July 17.

At 1 p.m., we'll depart Cornelius-Moore Field for LaGrange-Callaway Airport (KLGC), 61 nm south. This facility, at an elevation of 693 feet, has two runways, the longer of which extends 5,600 feet. Here, Southern Eagles Soaring offers dual gliding, at a cost of $70 per flight, including a temporary membership. Charlie Finn would like an estimate of how many of your members would like to fly with them. The type of glider is a Blanik L23, which is a tandem two-place, all metal glider. Details about the L23 can be found at http://www.nwinternet.com/~blanikam/ba. Prior to this date, communication methods during the flights should be discussed, as the instructor typically occupies the rear seat. They need to coordinate the best way of passing on information to the group.

If no one registers for those events, we can plan to fly out somewhere for fun.

Sunday, July 18

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.: After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewell, we leave by courtesy van to Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO). Have a Georgia week!