General Aviation News

Because flying is cool

Arlington Fly-In beats the heat

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ARLINGTON, Wash. – What started as a spaghetti feed in 1969 grew to a five-day, full featured fly-in and airshow in the 2000s. Today, the Arlington Fly-In is a three-day (Thursday-Saturday) old school fly-in and airshow for those who love looking at, talking about, and dreaming of airplanes.

The July 9-11 event kicked off with a scorching hot (by Western Washington standards) Thursday. Friday greeted all comers with the first sub-80° day in 15 days. The cooler temperatures must’ve spurred activity, because a pretty sparse Thursday flightline turned into a bustling hub of activity come Friday morning.

AIRCRAFT

Piper J-5
Piper J-5
Recently restored Porterfield.
Recently restored Porterfield.
Mooney Mite in front of the Red Barn at the Arlington Fly-In.
Mooney Mite in front of the Red Barn at the Arlington Fly-In.
Sonex Onex
Sonex Onex
Van's RV-9A
Van’s RV-9A
The Gee Bee QED was a hit at the Arlington Fly-In.
The Gee Bee QED was a hit at the Arlington Fly-In.
Five Kasperwing ultralights flew in Friday morning at the Arlington Fly-In.
Five Kasperwing ultralights flew in Friday morning at the Arlington Fly-In.
B-25 taxis out for take-off at the Arlington Fly-In.
B-25 taxis out for takeoff at the Arlington Fly-In.
CAF P-51C 'Tuskegee Airmen' flew each day of the Arlington Fly-In.
CAF P-51C ‘Tuskegee Airmen’ flew each day of the Arlington Fly-In.
1989 Varieze
1989 Varieze

AIRSHOW

Will Allen, the Rock & Roll Airshow Guy, sang his routine each day of the Arlington Fly-In.
Will Allen, the Rock & Roll Airshow Guy, sang his routine each day of the Arlington Fly-In.
The Black Jack Squadron over the 2015 Arlington Fly-In.
The Black Jack Squadron over the 2015 Arlington Fly-In.
Ross Granley in a Yak 18T in front of dark skies at the Arlington Fly-In.
Ross Granley in a Yak 18T in front of dark skies at the Arlington Fly-In.

To be sure, the Arlington Fly-In isn’t what it was in its glory days. But it is still a fun show. Seeing old friends and making new friends is a big part of what all fly-ins are about.

The 2016 Arlington fly-in will be held July 7-9. Put it on your calendar now.

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Comments

  1. Ben, I am an old pilot – use to know your Dad, Ben Sr. I remember you when you were youngster – learning to fly which your Dad documented. Is your Dad still with us, – if you don’t mind me asking. We are losing too many of us old timers. Thanks Ken

    • Hey Ken… My Dad (Dave) was a great friend to many. Sadly, he died on July 26, 2011. Coming up on four years… and I think about him every day. Thank you for your kind words