EAA 105 Annual Poker Run!
At the urging of Jenny Hickman, past Secretary and current Treasurer, the chapter has begun the tradition of holding an annual Poker Run to local airport sites of interest. The Run includes 5 airports, starting either at the Chapter Hanger or some other location, such as Dietz Airpark. Each year the airports change, but the one thing that doesn’t change is the fun and spirit that accompanies this event.
Typically we try to keep the airports within a reasonable distance so that even the slowest plane can make all of them with ease. Another thing is to pick at least one — if not two — destinations that offer a lunch facility, such as Tillamook or Independence or Salem, but there are others included simply to give the pilot and passengers a great view.
We’ve often held the Poker Run in the fall, since by then most flying activities are starting to wind down and folks are looking for something to do with their passion, but also because the weather is often the best for flying. It’s getting colder, but not too cold, so the air is crisp and clean, and the leaves are just turning. Sights are gorgeous and the planes are happy with the dense air.
The Poker Run is actually an event in three parts — and if you participate in all three, it makes for a wonderful day.
- The Breakfast: In the morning folks gather to meet and greet and have breakfast. Planes come and go as folks are fed and decide to head out. You don’t have to fly in conjunction with another plane, but often planes leave in groups.
- The Flight: You also don’t have to fly to the 5 airports in a specific order, but most do since the suggested order is the most efficient and helps get you to a lunch destination at about the right time. (This is not an activity with a prize going to the plane that is fastest around the circuit, so we encourage everyone to take their time and enjoy the scenery. Be safe. Make sure you understand the airports we have chosen. We have plenty of pilots who can give you pointers.)
- The Awards & Dinner: Again, you do not have to attend the dinner, since awards for the best hand are given out separately from the dinner, and some have other obligations, but most find the food and fun to be too tempting. Prizes are given (including white elephant gifts, which are especially entertaining), good food is served, and hanger stories abound.
Twin Oaks is commonly the final destination. Participants hand in their cards (or stamped sheets of paper) and can either hang out or fly on home to get ready for dinner. All registrants get a commemorative T-shirt. Past first prizes have included hand-held radios, as well as an “interesting” handmade trophy.
So! How about it? Come join us for a EAA 105 Poker Run!
Obligatory Rules of the Game
You want to play? Or, perhaps you want to set up a Poker Run for your organization, whether an EAA Chapter or some other group that has the ability to go from one location to another? Car Club? Bicycle Club? Cross Country Ski Club? Okay, then. Here are the rules.
- After registering at the first designated airport, fly to the other four in no particular order.
- The dealer will either deal you a card, or you may choose a card, and then both you and the dealer initial your card with the pen that has been provided to that dealer. Each airport has a different color.
- NO CHEATING!
- Return to final destination airport (usually Twin Oaks) by specified time.
- If you cannot make it to all of the airports, additional decks of cards will be at the final destination airport so that you can still get a full hand.
- Best hand of poker wins.