BRASSTOWN, N.C. — Plane Fun Aircraft recently hosted the annual Just Aircraft three day fly-in, drawing 25 Just Aircraft models to the private airstrip. In addition, there were a half-dozen GA type airplanes and approximately 300 to 400 spectators.
The emphasis of the fly-in is having fun with STOL aircraft and to that end, participants were invited to join in short field takeoff and landing competition, a variant on the Limbo, where aircraft fly under a ribbon, and sack bombing.
One of the more challenging events was the balloon pop, where a helium-filled balloon is released at one end of the runway as the pilot starts his takeoff roll. The object is to pop the balloon.
“A lot of people elected to camp along the runway,” said fly-in organizer Billy Payne, “and there’s little doubt that everyone had a good time, swapped a lot of stories and enjoyed flying in the competitions.”
That’s the kind of activiety that inspires GA