Renamed Fly-In Sees Healthy Attendance For Return Gathering

With its inaugural event now in the history books, and preparations already underway for next year, the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight appears heading for clear skies... even if the skies last weekend were less-than-clear. Festival of Flight PR Chairman DeWitt Whittington provided ANN with the following recap of the festivities...

Even with difficult to predict smoky skies, both attendees and vendors agreed that the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight's debut at the Suffolk Executive Airport has a bright future. The weekend of June 14-15 saw a bright sun at times it dimmed by smoke from nearby raging forest fires. But with gratifying support from the City of Suffolk and the Airport Manager, combined with an excellent turnout of volunteers, the 11th year of this Virginia event introduced Greater Hampton Roads to personal aviation at it's best.

Volunteers signed in to complete their online registration for dozens of jobs with Judy Pastusek, the Volunteer Coordinator. Her new system of on-the-spot printing of dual sided name tags was a technical triumph giving the 183 volunteers a name tag, with their work assignment automatically printed on the back side. The Blue Knights, a local motorcycle club, parked cars. Boy Scouts put up tents, emptied trash, also helped with auto parking. Many Scouts had time to work on their aviation merit badge with Lancair builders....

By midday on Saturday it was clear that Suffolk Airport was going to be an excellent location to grow the Festival of Flight. Acres of grass, two closed runways for taxiing aircraft and the tractor-pulled shuttles, several paved "streets," a large Showplane Ramp, a network of electrical and water hookups for vendors and RV campers, pleased everyone. Volunteer chairman organized their areas, and when necessary modified locations and procedures to accommodate unforeseen conditions, forestalling any major glitches in the event. Flexibility was the order of the day.

Thirty-nine aircraft dealers and aviation vendors spread out to show off their new models, parts and accessories. Gordon Campbell, Virginia Aviation Council President, announced drawings, interviewed vendors and reminded folks of the forum and workshop schedules. A cadre of presenters gave 26 forums and 2 workshops. Of special interest for pilots in the Mid-Atlantic region, Randy Horner of the Potomac TRACON, explained the intricacies of the operation of ATC and flying into the Washington ADIZ. Those interested in military aviation history heard Sig Sidiqqi compare and contrast four WWII fighter aircraft and how they were used during the war. Ron Wagner from Oshkosh explained the latest in the field of Sport Pilot and LSA aircraft. In the workshop area, a new Engine Overhaul Workshop invited hands-on disassembly and assembly of an aircraft engine.

Don Bennett, an experienced A&P reported, "About 90% of the attendees wanted to grab a wrench and be involved. I was really pleased with the high level of participation."

A Stearman, a Staggerwing Beech and two Robinson R-44 helicopters kept busy flying passengers. Younger kids received instruction from Janie Fowler in the Youth Tent. There kids found fun things to build including model rockets which they then launched into the air.

At the much anticipated Volunteer Dinner Saturday evening, Judy Sparks, the Fly-in Manager, gave a special recognition plaque to a special volunteer, Cliff Martin. In previous years, Cliff designed and built two tractor-pulled shuttles as well as the "Blue Goose," a versatile storage trailer with a platform on top which served as the perch for the field controller. One of his shuttles even has a wheelchair ramp making it especially versatile. After the presentation, EAA Oshkosh representative Ron Wagner gave an update from headquarters with a focus on changes coming to AirVenture.

During the setup and fly-in days, those who arrived by air or car experienced a rare condition. Helped by drought conditions in eastern North Carolina and Southeast Virginia, a log cutter's spark generated during the removal of fallen trees from the 2003 Hurricane Isabel started a tenacious forest fire. The Dismal Swamp fires smoldered and flared only eight miles southeast of the Suffolk Airport. As volunteers setup tents, orange cones, plastic fencing, installed signs for the weekend event, swirls of smoke lowered visibility in unpredictable and changing areas over much of both states. Four large commercial helicopters used the airport as a refueling base, flying into the swamp to dip water from Lake Drummond and dump it on the fire line.

Luckily, the smoke didn't settle on the airport, but it caused an unknown number of attendees to reassess their plans to fly in. Even with high fuel prices around the country, the new location and scheduling of the event was praised. On Sunday afternoon as the tents and displays came down, the consensus of the vendors, volunteers and attendees was that they are looking forward to 2009 and an even better Virginia Regional Festival of Flight... of course without the smoke.

(Photos courtesy of Mike Likavec and Dee Whittington)

FMI: www.virginiaflyin.org