Published: June 07, 2007 10:27 am      

Fly-in scheduled for this weekend

Antique aircraft enthusiasts, pilots and aviation fans will be at Gainesville Municipal Airport this weekend for the 45th Annual Fly-in.

The fly-in is held each year in Gainesville and is sponsored by the Texas Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association.

The event is scheduled to start Friday afternoon when the first pilots begin arriving and is actually a meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association which meets monthly.

“We’re hoping to have over 200 this year,” said Terry Wallace, president of the Texas Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association.

Wallace said approximately 240 pilots attended the event last year.

“It depends on if the weather cooperates,” he said.

Past fly-ins have been marked by storms and heavy rains.

He said he believes recent rainy weather may have curtailed some families’ plans for summer outings.

The fly-in, Wallace said, is a good opportunity for families to have some fun together.

The event always draws a large number of adults and children as well as photographers, aviation buffs and others who just like to walk among some beautifully restored aircraft.

“I’m hoping they’ll decide to come out. It’s always a good time,” he said.

Most of the pilots gather beneath the wings of their aircraft — many with their wives and friends — and are more than happy to talk about their planes.

A registration desk will be set up inside the Thomlinson hangar.

Registration is not a requirement for pilots who attend, however, those who wish to be considered for awards in various categories must be registered for judging.

Categories include antique, classic, experimental and military aircraft.

Visitors can also expect vendors.

“They’ll be a ‘fly market,’” Wallace noted.

There will also be an OX engine on display and a chance for pilots to receive free gas, he added.

The price of fuel may be a factor in how many pilots show up for the fly-in, but Wallace said he doesn’t think high gas prices will hurt pilot attendance.

A Happy Hour with beer and soft drinks and a hamburger cookout are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The Gainesville Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Happy Hour is set to begin again at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The chapter will hold its banquet with award ceremony and door prizes at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday is a scheduled departure day for the pilots.

A registration contribution is requested of families and individuals to “help defray the cost of the fly-in,” according to a press release from the organization.

No additional daily entrance fee will be charged.

Attendees are welcome to park their RVs on the grass near the terminal building or to camp on airport grounds.

The city of Gainesville also has an RV parking facility at the exit of I-35 and California Street.

Organizers and airport staff say they hope the weather remains clear and sunny for the event.

Dave Vinton, director of the Gainesville Municipal Airport, said he is praying for good weather this weekend “like you wouldn’t believe.”