Williamsport Whisky

Tonight is my first time in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of the Little League Hall of Fame, and of the Little League World Series, which is far mere deserving of that name than is the one in the majors.

Phil's was almost identical, but had its wheel pants removed because we flew it from Plymouth's grass strip. (Photo from Google Images)

But to me, Williamsport is where the O-360 Lycoming engine that powered N7968W ["November Seven Niner Siks Aight Whisky" to you air traffic controllers, Steve!] was built.  Back in the late 1970s, I logged many happy hours behind that reliable 180 HP air-cooled engine in Phil Tapply's Cherokee 180.

The Cherokee in the picture is a close sibling of Phil's bird.  Lycoming Manufacturing Company is still here in Williamsport, but the light plane market is not what it used to be, and I am told the company is much smaller than it was in its heyday.

P.S. Apparently my favorite bird, N7968W is alive and well, and sporting new pants and a fresh coat of paint. Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/runway27r/3604370111/lightbox/ to see her,