Wed, Mar 02, 2011
Fly-In Organizers Get Ready For Spring Event
After years of packing up truck loads of nylon fencing, fence
posts, barrels, signs, tents and more for storage, this year's
Virginia Regional Festival of Flight volunteers will have a huge
logistical advantage. Last year The Virginia Aviation Council
purchased a 40' SeaLand container with funds donated by Aero
Industries at Richmond International Airport. A volunteer crew
headed by Cliff Martin and Ron VanSickle built support piers and
graveled the approved location on the Suffolk Executive Airport.
Luckily, a crane hired for another job appeared and had time to set
the huge Hyundai-emblazoned box in place (at a reduced cost).
Container Being Placed At Suffolk Executive
Airport
Martin, VanSickle, and expert painter Bobby Clark cleaned
and painted the exterior and interior. For efficient storage
Martin is designing and building customized storage racks and
shelves. He also installed windows for natural light for which he
plans awnings to enhance the appearance of the container which is
easily visible from the airport terminal. A side door with a stoop
for quick access and a front loading ramp at the major end doors
will make it easier to pack and unpack. The final touch will be a
banner designed by graphic artist Jim Heidish mounted on the
container facing airport traffic to advertise the fly-in throughout
the year.
Placed On Footers And Strapped Down
"When we store the tents, custom banner supports, and dozens of
pieces of equipment in May, this new storage efficiency will really
be apparent" said Martin. Dennis Holbrok, the Field Setup Chairman,
a hands-on leader, agreed, "For years the major effort to offer the
flying public a quality fly-in has been particularly labor
intensive. Volunteers trucked materials to and from a farm in
another county."
Painted And Windows Installed
In addition to the current "Blue Goose" storage trailer which
holds pancake breakfast equipment, the Virginia Aviation Council
will finally have it's equipment protected from the weather and
deterioration. In a further enhancement to the site, a volunteer
crew moved hundreds of pounds of soil left over from airport
construction and spread it in low spots and rough areas during the
month of December. Fly-in attendees will have smoother and safer
taxiing in those aircraft vendor and general parking areas on April
30 and May 1.
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