Lee Bottom Flying Field Hosts It's Annual Fly-in
Staggerwings, Great
Lakes, Stearmans, Swallows, Tiger Moths... What do all these
aircraft (you did know they're aircraft didn't you) have in common?
Well, they're all made with wood and fabric, and they all have
tailwheels. And, of course, they can all be seen at Lee Bottom
Flying Field (64I) this September 30th!
Every year aficionados of these antique aircraft gather at Lee
Bottom on the last Saturday of September for the Wood, Fabric and
Tailwheels Flyin. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the
event.
The airport, near Hanover, IN, sports a newly-lengthened 4000 ft
turf runway, which seems natural for the aircraft they're trying to
attract. Nestled up to the Ohio River on the Indiana-Kentucky
border, Lee Bottom resides in some of the prettiest country in the
midwest.
A privately-owned airport certified by the FAA, Lee Bottom is
open to the public. Originally established in the 1930's, Lee
Bottom has maintained its reputation as a haven for barnstormers
and those-daring-young-men-in-their-flying-machines kind of pilots
even today.
Rich Davidson and his wife Ginger own and manage Lee Bottom.
According to their website, "We cater to vintage aircraft and the
preservation of our type of airport for the current generation, the
next generation, and those that follow."
Rich and Ginger purchased the airfield from its previous owner
Fritz Hagemann, only after agreeing to a promise. That promise?
Simple, Lee Bottom must always remain an airport. The promise is
what drives the Davidson's to keep the airport's atmosphere true to
its roots.
Rich tells ANN that the fly-in is "the most of nothing you'll
ever do," adding, "There are no sponsors and no alphabet groups,
just good friends talking airplanes and sharing common
interests."
All aircraft are welcome at the fly-in. In fact, it's free if
you fly instead of drive. Aircraft will park in order of arrival.
If you must drive, remember (auto) parking is limited, so get there
early. If you want to make a weekend out of it, you can even camp
on the field.
For refueling needs, they'll have lunch available for the
humans, and 100LL for the aircraft. If you decide to attend, please
go to the website and review the arrival instructions.
So what's keeping you? Start planning now to attend an event
that's sure to be a swell time for everyone!