Scheduled between two surges of the “West Coast Atmospheric River,” the 65th annual Cactus Fly-In was, by comparison with recent years, a modest success, according to organizers.
Approximately 40 antique and classic aircraft, as well as another 50 modern machines, were at the April 4, 2023, fly-in at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ) in Arizona.
Backing up the collection of antique and classic planes were about 15 rare, restored automobiles driven in from all over Arizona.
The fly-in was officially launched March 3 with a formation-flying clinic taught by Kurt Gearhart, followed by the Cactus Cocktail Hour hosted by the Classic Airplane Association of Arizona.
Saturday morning, March 4, saw a hornet’s nest of arrivals, including a fleet of Stearmans, AT-6s, and a PT-22, followed by an afternoon of more flying activity, including many formation flight demonstrations, organizers noted.
The day’s flying was followed by a picnic lunch and happy hour, as well as the awarding of “Pilot’s Choice” and “People’s Choice” for displayed aircraft. Pilot’s Choice was awarded to Billy Lewallen and Julie White of Eloy, Arizona, and their G-17S Staggerwing, while People’s Choice was awarded to Mike Rutledge for his restoration of a Super Stearman crop duster powered by a Pratt and Whitney R1340 engine.
Brent Taylor, president of the Antique Aircraft Association of Blakesburg, Iowa, presented his Headquarter’s Award to Paul Bjornstad for his Howard DGA-15P restoration, which Paul flew in from Minden, Nevada. The Headquarter’s Award was a prize photo of Lee and Carolyn Jones’ Beech D-18 taken at the Cactus Fly-In many years ago.
Next year’s Cactus Fly-In is slated for March 2, 2024.
Glenn Brasch, the founder of AirportCourtesyCars.com, was at the fly-in and submitted these photos:
To see many more photos from the fly-in, check out Frederick Schiele’s website, Beyond Horizons Photography at BeyondHorizonsPhotography.com/Cactus-Fly-In-March-4-2023-Casa-Grande.