By GEREMY KORNREICH
Colorado’s JeffCo Aviation Association celebrated its 25th annual fly-in June 4, 2022, at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (KBJC).
About 32 aircraft came out, joined by three special guests: The B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and B-25 “Maid In The Shade,” both from the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, and the C-45 “Sonoran Beauty” from the CAF’s Mile High Wing.
A wide variety of popular local aircraft were also at the fly-in.
“There’s some quality here,” said organizer Daril Cinquanta, who brought “Fancy Pants,” his 1948 Piper PA-11 Piper Cub Special. It was his father’s plane in the 1960s, and towed a banner for a local restaurant when they flew out of their own airstrip.
Another plane at the fly-in with big local history was “The Nugget,” a rare homebuilt 1966 Davenport BD-2 (no relation to Jim Bede or his aircraft). Brad Davenport designed and built the Lycoming O-320 powered biplane for mountain flying. His son, Herrill, now flies the plane and has gone as far as Oshkosh.
Not to be outdone, Jim Custis flew in his gorgeous Luscombe, “Ruby,” also bringing a fully restored red and white Cessna 140 and at least one other aircraft. He didn’t fly them all, proving that it’s good to have friends — and to be a friend.
Also bringing multiple aircraft to the fly-in was Dan Callendar, who flew his father Doc Callendar’s rare Harlow PJC-2, a 1930s metal four-seater, as well as bringing a very colorful red Steen Skybolt.
Chris Jacobsen brought his immaculate yellow and blue 1944 Beech D17S Staggerwing to the event, taxiing from his hangar across from the airport.
High performance airplanes also made a showing. Joe Thibodeau flew his P-51 Mustang “Crusader” up from nearby Centennial Airport (KAPA), while Doug Eastman thrilled pilots with his highly complex homebuilt Swearingen SX300.
“That thing will do 300 mph!” exclaimed more than one admirer as they looked at the SX300.
Equipped with Garmin glass avionics and a Lycoming IO-540 300-hp engine, a placard lists VNE as 280 knots (320 mph).
Eastman’s aviation experience as an airline pilot makes him well-qualified for his ship.
Other standouts included a North American Aviation T-28 Trojan, a Ryan Navion, John Cronin’s 1949 Cessna 140A, Bonanzas, and more.
Even the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Gulfstream G-V did a fly-by.
Like many events in the GA community, the JeffCo Aviation Association annual fly-ins feature a pancake breakfast, but with a twist: They serve Italian sausage.
“People will literally call and make sure we have the Italian sausage,” said Cinquanta.
While the fly-in receives major sponsorship from Tom Smith and Tori Cloud at the Signature FBO, Cinquanta is in charge of supplying the Italian sausage.