If aviation enthusiasts have their primary niches, it takes an event like the Hood River Fly-In to bring all kinds of folks together for a relaxed weekend of celebrating the differences while remarking at the similarities. This year’s event spanned the weekend of Sept. 11-12, 2021.
Sponsored by the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM), it’s a fly-in, not an air show. That means a great grassy parking ramp at Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2) in Oregon swells throughout the weekend with the arrival of antiques, a warbird or two, homebuilts, classic Wichita metal, and modern composite machines to stump planespotters, until they have a chance to talk with the pilots who brought them here.
No aerobatic acts, no jet trucks, no announcers on PA systems — just the puttering, clattering, and occasional growling of an eclectic bunch of airplanes in an easy-going celebration of flight.
Museum staff estimated about 250 aircraft flew in this year. The number is a bit hard to pin down because not everybody registers, and the tally floats throughout the weekend with ongoing arrivals and departures.
Tents popped up beside airplanes tied down in the grass, and two adjacent fields served drive-up campers who came for the camaraderie.
A Saturday night dinner made one of WAAAM’s hangars ring with music and laughter.
The museum provided a special treat by flying four of its vintage aircraft at once, each powered by the classic century-old Curtiss OX-5 90-horsepower engine.
Admission to the fly-in included a chance to explore the huge and well-restored WAAAM airplane and vehicle collection.
It’s easy to strike up a conversation with a pilot standing by his or her airplane. Lane Smith flew his Army L-19 Bird Dog, newly fitted with amphibious floats, from just across the Columbia River in Washington state. A veteran Pan American World Airways flight crew member, Lane worked as a navigator, flight engineer, copilot, and captain before the classic Pan Am shuttered operations in 1991.
“I love airplanes,” Lane says. He’s in the right place at this fly-in.
Dave Domeyer came from Camas, Washington, and enjoyed the classic Lions Club pancake breakfast at the fly-in as he talked about which of his restoration projects to tackle next. Maybe he’ll finish the 7/8 scale Fokker D-VII biplane replica with a Gipsy engine that he bought as an aeronautical diamond in the rough.
Sitting next to Dave is Jim Yost, from Salem, Oregon, whose Stinson 108 is in parts at the moment, putting Jim in the car to get to the fly-in this year.
The talk turns to the need to show younger people the opportunities and fun to be had in this kind of aviation, and that’s a common thread at the fly-in. Back at his amphib L-19, Lane Smith has gained some new friends with his gregarious storytelling, and these young pilots are better off for having heard his wisdom.
That’s some of the greatest magic of an event like the Hood River Fly-In: People of all backgrounds and all levels of experience mingle freely and learn about aviation, because there’s always something new to learn.
A T-28 trainer on short final passes a waiting Waco UPF-7 biplane that was hopping rides throughout the Hood River Fly-In. 
A red and white Citabria on the grass, backed by majestic Mount Hood, sets the tone for the Hood River Fly-In. 
Banking into final, a Waco UPF-7 biplane, backed by mountains to the east, was a frequent flier during the fly-in. 
An Icon A5 amphibian lands during the fly-in. 
This Aviat Husky was part of the varied parade of aircraft coming and going at Hood River, Oregon, on the weekend of the fly-in. 
Addison Pemberton’s pristine Navy Grumman JRF Goose greeted visitors to the Hood River fly-in’s grassy parking area. 
This 1941 Luscombe 8 landed at Hood River on Saturday. 
A Navy T-28C Trojan trainer rumbled in to Hood River behind a noisy R-1820 engine. 
This Republic Seabee amphibian added to the variety at the fly-in. 
Out of the blue, three like-painted Stolp Starduster biplanes joined the crowd at the Hood River Fly-In.
Was able to open and view this time , not sure what happened 1st time around.
Glad you were able to see the story and photos. One of those weird interweb glitches no doubt.
Do not know what happened as you guys prepared this online version but the articles are not coming up for my reading and viewing pleasure . Multiple “red lines” of multiple past articles are appearing . . . thats it
Thanks for the picture of my Luscombe !!