Suffolk, Va. – “Bob Coolbaugh’s replica of the 1911 Ely-Curtis Pusher which he built and flew around the country for the 2011 100th anniversary of the US Navy will attend,” the May 4-5, 2013 Virginia Regional Festival of Flight as reported by fly-in manager Judy Sparks. And the Berlin Airlift Foundation’s 4-engine C-54E, The Spirit of Freedom, a flying museum of the Berlin Airlift will pay a return visit.”
For years this annual event was enjoyed by hundreds of aviation enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic as a classic Fly-in. However, President Ray Batton announced, “this year we will present crowd-pleasing air show on Sunday afternoon, 1pm – 2pm, featuring Kirk Wicker flying his Stearman aerobatic routine, wing walking act by Jane Wicker and a Comedy Cub act by Kirk.” And, for the first time, an L-39 Albatross, a T-6 Texan, and a Great Lakes biplane provided by 757 Adventures will fly in for ramp display. Expect a wide variety of aircraft to arrive and depart both days.
On Saturday (10 am-4 pm), local car clubs will host a Motorcycle and Car Show.
Forums and workshops, as well as aviation vendors are confirmed for the 2013 Fly-in. Each day starts with a classic pancake breakfast and continues with good smells and tastes provided by food vendors. This year an expanded Womens Tent will allow for more demonstrations and sales of specialty items than ever before.
Tom Tyndall, Operations Manager urges attendees, “Please look at our web site, www.VirginiaFlyIn.org” and study the well illustrated approach plan under menu: Arriving|Airplane. After landing, be sure you have a sign in your windshield so the aircraft parkers know where you want to tie-down. Pre-formatted signs ready for printing are available at the bottom of that web page.”
Both 100LL full service and self-service as well as Auto Gas 93 AKI self-service will be available on the field.
Last year, saw the C–54 for the first time at Northeastern Regional Airport in Edenton, NC; went back to watch the departure of the “Spirit of Freedom” a few days later. (The picture of the plane on a brochure helped to lure my daughter Amy to the airport! 1 year and 80+ flying hours later, she has her checkride and 17th birthday next weekend!) ; This year, Amy & I had the awesome experience of being able to fly from Elizabeth City over to Suffolk on the C-54; Tim, who has been flying the “Spirit of Freedom” for 20 years, is a super terrific guy. Be sure and check out the plane when you get to the Festival of Flight!