ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

For the past ten years or so, AirBike Ace has been the Candy Bomber during the annual EAA Chapter 88 fly-in. This activity attempts to duplicate the efforts of those WWII pilots who delivered supplies via the Berlin Airlift. During those deliveries, the crew would toss out parachutes with candy bars as "paratroopers" to the children waiting anxiously below.

This year, instead of parachutes, I made "helicopters" whose "paratroopers" were again Halloween style candy; Tootsie Rolls, Hersheys mini-bars, etc. Two passes were made for each drop, one with smoke on and one with smoke off.

I guided my AirBike using only my feet on the rudder pedals while the control stick and throttle were un-monitored. During the drops, at 200 feet altitude, I opened coffee cans full of "helicopters" and emptied them over the waiting children. They screamed with delight while chasing the twirling candy bar "helicopters" and tried to catch them before hitting the ground.

In between candy drops, my AirBike was available for "Cockpit Tours" to anyone who was interested. There was a lot of interest. Sometimes it is the simple and friendly airplanes that draw the crowd.

Paul D. Fiebich

Photo by Dale Kreebs

What a neat idea Paul and I bet that really thrilled the kids. Too bad the AirBike is not night flight legal as I think you could surprise the heck out of kids doing their trick or treating on Halloween.
Dick

Hey Paul
Great stuff. People like you keep the rest of us going.
Bob

yes simply wonderful Paul.  I agree with the up thread posters

Great photo too  

regards Arthur

Yup that is good publicity for all of us. The picture is worth a thousand words.

Superb!  Well done on giving such fun for the kids & excellent publicity for ul flying.

I agree, the picture says it all. I bet the kids were ecstatic. Are the "helicopters" made of construction paper?

Fantastic show! I would like to do that. Any idea how to build the flying candies?

Dude! That is AWESOME! (sorry to go all 80's there).

What a fantastic idea! BRILLIANT!
I bet it was a blast for everyone involved.

How were these made?? I would love to try that at our next COPA for kids event!

Hi flycanadaguy,

The helicopter pattern with our EAA logo and contact information is printed on several colors of card stock. Each helicopter has a "paratrooper" (wrapped candy) taped to the rotor shaft and he guides the copter to earth. When dropped from about 200' AGL (with airport permission) they take about 30 seconds to reach the ground. This is plenty of time for kids to run around and catch at least one, often more.

By that time I am 1/4 mile away and making preparations for a second bombing run. During our annual fly-in event, I make three missions of two bomb runs each. About 30 paratroopers jump out during each bombing run.

If you would like a full size pattern that prints five 'copters at a time of what I use, send me your e-mail.  It is indeed a lot of fun for the kids (and parents).

Paul Fiebich
a.k.a. the Candy Bomber
fiebichpv@aol.com