Changes coming for fly-in

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

Aviation buffs who attended any of the Mountain Empire Airport’s previous five fly-ins will notice a few differences this go-around.
First of all, the event has added a bit to its title. It’s now a Fly-In/Cruise-In, reflecting added emphasis on the classic car show.
Second, the event comes on a different day, Saturday, Sept. 18, instead of Sunday.
And finally, there’s going to be more going on in the skies above the airport during the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. event.
Partly in response to popular demand and partly because of tight dollars these days, the Mountain Empire Pilots Association decided not to spend big bucks to bring in aircraft to become static displays on the ground. According to the association’s Curtis Pennington, there will be more planes in the air, offering rides and low-level fly-bys.
“Just seeing planes sitting here is not too exciting,” Pennington said. “We will have airplane rides, helicopter rides. Of course, it all depends on the weather. We have good crowds even when the weather is bad. It’s cheap. You can bring your family for less than 20 bucks. It’s for the public to see what’s here.”
Donations by sponsors are down, he said, and state money that in the past reimbursed this association for part of its fly-in expenses is more uncertain than ever, he said.
“They take it case by case,” Pennington said. “If they have it, they will give it to you. The pilots association can’t fund it out of pocket.”
A Wings Air Rescue Bell 407 helicopter, an AH-1 Cobra helicopter and an AH-64 Apache helicopter are among the invited aircraft, and Pennington said if it is not deployed elsewhere, there is a chance a C-130 airplane will be on hand.
“It’s potluck,” Pennington said. “Whatever shows up is what will be here.”
The Smyth-Wythe Joint Airport Commission helps with insurance for the event. “They work with us good on it,” Pennington said.
A couple of biplanes are expected, along with a Pitts aerobatic plane.
For the pilots association and the commission, the event shows the public the airport is not just a playground for pilots, but a hub of commercial and charitable activity.
Airplanes based at Mountain Empire are used by business people in their work, including landscaping and real estate. Industry executives fly into and out of the airport many times in a week. At least one airplane there is used for Angel Flights, providing no-charge transportation for patients who otherwise would not be able to travel to distant care providers.

dkegley@wythenews.com