Anderson Municipal Airport-Darlington Field (AID) in Indiana will celebrate its 50th birthday Saturday, July 10. Pilots who fly in for the celebration will enjoy fuel discounts and the red-carpet treatment, including free admission and all-you-can-eat breakfast, organizers said. The centerpiece ceremony will include a re-dedication of the airports restored bronze plaque.
The day begins at 7 a.m. with hot air balloon rides; a pancake breakfast benefiting Youth for Christ (from 7 until 11); and radio-controlled aircraft. The Academy of Model Aeronautics will host demonstrations and competitions. The Boy Scouts also will host events, while the Civil Air Patrol will present the colors. There also will be a showcase of aircraft (including locally-built aircraft); a Mike Melvill recognition (Melville, pilot of Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne is not only the first pilot to travel to space in a privately-designed and built vehicle, he hails from Anderson and was a member of Anderson’s local EAA Chapter 226); and, of course, a traditional lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers. (The cook-out benefits Indiana State University Flight Team.) Special-interest aircraft include: Pitts, Extra 300, P-51 Mustang, hot air balloons, PT-26, BT-13, gliders, and military aircraft, among others.
Aircraft parking is free. A donation of $5 will cover auto parking; funds benefit the local EAA Chapter and other volunteer aviation groups.
For more information: 765-648-6292 or CityOfAnderson.com/Airport.
