By Jeff Willoughby

Come and visit Lee's Summit and Kansas City! Situated on the border of Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City, Mo., is a center of culture in the midst of wheat fields and cattle ranches. Come and see the region's wide range of activities, cultures, locations, and geographic settings.

Within Kansas City itself, you can visit the world-renowned Country Club Plaza shopping district, taste the unique flavor of Kansas City by visiting the many local breweries of Westport, or take the kids to the famous Kansas City zoo. One of the principal attractions in the city is the variety of home style Bar-B-Q available and the particular specialty of Kansas City strip steak.

Day trips to surrounding areas can include a visit to southwest Missouri and the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains. Traveling north from Kansas City, you can visit the historic town of St. Joseph, original home of the Pony Express Station and a rich haven of historic architecture, or experience the thrill of early flight with a visit to the birthplace of Amelia Earhart.

Of course, the eighth annual International Deaf Pilots Association U.S.A. Fly-In will be held from June 17 to June 24, 2001, at the Lee's Summit Municipal Airport in Lee's Summit, Mo. Lee's Summit is located within the Kansas City metro area about 20 miles from downtown. See the detailed map of the area (162K).

Your host will be IDPA member and student pilot Jeff Willoughby, supported by a committee of enthusiastic volunteers.

Schedule details

The IDPA officers will start their week on Sunday, June 17 with the annual board meeting at the EAA Hangar at Lee's Summit Municipal Airport.

The Fly-In Kick Off Pizza Party for all members will take place Monday, June 18, at the EAA Hangar at Lee's Summit Airport.

The following week's activities (schedule to follow) will include a flight to the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kan., a Bar-B-Q at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, and a tour of Whiteman Air Force Base, which will include views of an A-10 Thunderbolt, a B-2 bomber, and an AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Additional planned activities include a flight to Grand Glaize-Osage Beach Airport, followed by an afternoon meal, and a flight to Gardner Airport in Gardner, Kan., where the Olathe Deaf Club will provide a home-cooked meal. Seminars during the week will be provided by the FAA and the Garmin GPS company.

The banquet for IDPA members, friends, and families will be held Friday, June 22, at the Hereford House Restaurant in Leawood, Kansas. The famous Hereford House is the oldest family owned steak house in Kansas City.

The week will be finished off with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by EAA Chapter 91 on the morning of Saturday, June 23, followed by EAA Young Eagles flights.

Getting there

Of course, the best way to get there is to fly your own airplane into Lee's Summit Municipal Airport. However, if that's not possible, here are some other ways to get there.

Most major airlines offer daily flights to Kansas City International Airport (MCI), the only commercial passenger airport that serves the Kansas City metro area. It's on the northwest side of the Kansas City metropolitan area, roughly 40 miles northwest of Lee's Summit.

Southwest Airlines is offering a special 10% discount for IDPA members and their families on most of its already low fares for air travel to and from the event. You or your travel agent may call Southwest Airlines Group and Meetings Reservations at l-800-433-5368 and reference the assigned I.D. Code (J1007). Reservations agents are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You must make reservations five or more days prior to travel to take advantage of this offer.

Major rental car companies offer rental counters inside the terminals at Kansas City International Airport. Rental cars are also available from the Lee's Summit Municipal Airport if reservations are made in advance. Information regarding rental at the Lee's Summit Airport will be provided in the Spring issue of the IDPA Newsletter.

The Lee's Summit Municipal Airport is conveniently located at 2751 NE Douglas, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064, with easy access from everywhere in Lee's Summit. The airport can be reached at (816) 969-7492 or at www.leessummit.org/airport.htm.

If you are driving to the fly-in from outside the Kansas City area, here are some suggested routes:

From Kansas City International airport and the northwest: Take Interstate 29 south into downtown Kansas City, then Interstate 35 south, to Interstate 70 east, and finally Interstate 435 south to Interstate 470. Take Interstate 470 east for nine miles to NE Douglas Street, exiting to the north. The airport is located one mile north of Interstate 470 on the east.

From Kansas and the west: take Interstate 70 east, to Interstate 435 south, and then east around the city ring road to Interstate 470 east. Take Interstate 470 east for nine miles to NE Douglas Street, exiting to the north. The airport is located one mile north of Interstate 470 on the east.

From Missouri and the east: take Interstate 70 west, to Interstate 470 south. Exit at NW Colbern Road traveling west, at approximately 0.75 miles take NE Douglas Street to the north. The airport is located one mile north of NW Colbern Road on the east.

The headquarters motel for the fly-in, located one mile south of Lee's Summit Municipal Airport, is:

Kansas City-Lee's Summit Hampton Inn
1751 NE Douglas Street
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
(816) 347-8600
(816) 347-8755 Fax
1-800-HAMPTON

These special group rates have been negotiated with the Hampton Inn:

1. Queen/King Bed, 1-2 persons: $69 per night
2. Double Beds, 2 persons: $69 per night
3. Double Beds, 4 persons: $79 per night

For these rates you must make reservations before May 16 and be sure to refer to Confirmation Code DPA when making your reservations, or identify yourself as registering with the International Deaf Pilots Association.

Some of the amenities at the Hampton Inn are a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, an indoor pool and whirlpool, free HBO, and in-room coffee makers. A number of restaurants are located within walking or driving distance of the hotel.

Be sure to make your reservations early. If the Hampton Inn becomes fully booked, you can try reserving a room, at the regular rates, at:

Fairfield Inn
1301 NE Windsor Drive
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
(816) 524-7572
The Fairfield Inn is located within a few miles of the Hampton Inn.

Aircraft rentals

Air Charter, Midwest Executive Aircraft, Inc., and Aero Stadt, the FBO at Lee's Summit Municipal Airport, offer the following aircraft for rent:

Air Charter
(816) 525-3330
Cessna 152 $45/hr.
Cessna 172 $60/hr.

Midwest Executive Aircraft, Inc.
(816) 246-4560
Cessna 152 $46/hr.
Cessna 172 $60/hr.
Cessna 172SP $80/hr.
Piper Cherokee 180 $69/hr.
Piper Archer III $88/hr.
Beech F33A Bonanza $140/hr.

Additional aircraft may be rented from Aero Stadt, (816) 246-6949

Additional information

Additional Fly-In details and specific dates and times will be provided in the Spring newsletter. Jeff Willoughby is currently working with a local Kansas City embroidery company on the design of an IDPA 2001 logo shirt to be available for purchase prior to the fly-In. Women's and Men's denim shirts will be available in multiple sizes, and order forms will be sent to all IDPA members in February.

For more information, write Jeff at 30190 Pinecrest Dr., Springhill, KS 66083, or call via TTY (913) 856-3903, or email him at moowilly@blitz-it.net.