The Flagstaff Airport held an event in recently called Thunder Over Flagstaff. There were airplane rides for kids, displayed airplanes, airplane fly-bys, a car show, food and fun for everyone that attended. After a two-year hiatus, and with a change in the title, the event returned. The Flagstaff Airport staff felt it was a huge success due to the community!
If the name sounds familiar, it would be because until this year it was known as “Thunder Over Coconino” and held at Valle Airport. Recently, the owners of Valle Airport began divesting their aviation interests. Thunder Over Coconino had been successful there for 10 years. The timing could not have been any better for Flagstaff. With cutbacks in military participation in public events, the Flagstaff Armed Forces Day Open House had to be canceled. So, the underlying theme of both was promoted to help the airports, and more importantly, promote youth involvement in aviation.
This year’s event allowed 168 youth to fly around Flagstaff as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagle Program. This introduction to flying is both exciting for them to participate, but equally fulfilling for the pilots. Local pilots donate time and their airplanes as members of the Experimental Aircraft Association local Chapter 856. The local chapter has been one of the most successful programs in the country for getting kids in the air.
Planes of fame (not the actual planes of fame, but many old famous planes) came to the airport for the event. A Beech 18 first produced in 1937 as an executive aircraft and later used to fly passengers and cargo and later adapted for military usage in World War II took center stage. Next to the Beech 18 sat a replica World War II Spitfire. As far as Experimental Aircraft, approximately two dozen homebuilt aircraft flew in for the day. Eleven of these homebuilders, flying Van’s kit planes, flew in formation in to the event. These pilots travel all over the west and perform formation fly-overs for local communities as part of parades and holiday gatherings. They came to Flagstaff to be part of the event due, in large part, to a key member living in our community.
But, there were more than just planes at this event. We had cars, cars and more cars! There were some of the most beautiful cars in Arizona at the event. This was new to our airport event and added to the attendance and fun. The love affair with cars in Flagstaff is deep due to our connection to Route 66, which is marking its 90th anniversary in November 2016. There were cars from all over the state, ranging in years and models. Saturday evening, a dinner with a silent auction was held courtesy of Wiseman Aviation to finish the day out. The dinner featured speakers from the Tuskegee Airman. Beside the Tuskegee Airman, four former World War II Vets were recognized. The theme was Big Band Music and many enjoyed the night dancing and networking.
The goal of this event was to get the public out to the airport, and it did. It brought in almost 7,000 people, and helped introduce the youth of the area to flying. Plus, enough money was collected from the silent auction and gate receipts to send multiple kids to Aviation Camp next summer in Oshkosh. Thank you Flagstaff for your participation! FBN
Barney Helmick is the Flagstaff Airport director.