Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The annual Fly-In at the Colfax Airport will be Saturday. The event this year was moved to September from late June in order to avoid conflicts with an air show in Lewiston.
The Colfax Fly-In will again be sponsored by the Organization of Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 328, based in Lewiston. The six year-old event has attracted 40-50 planes each year.
Among airplanes expected this Saturday is a Grumman Goose amphibian from Spokane. It is a land/water-landing plane with a 60-foot wingspan, used by airlines in the Caribbean. Another hoped-for attraction is a Stearman Speedmail plane, a single engine open cockpit bi-plane built in the 1920s/30s, with a compartment for mail.
“This is the start of airmail,” said Barney Buckley, organizer.
Another plane expected is a Fairchild 71 from Deer Park, a 1929 model with a 50-foot wingspan and room for six to eight passengers.
Another plane that could be on site is a 1929 Fleet, a small bi-plane trainer, two passenger, open-cockpit, from Lewiston.
Weather may affect which planes will make the event.
In addition to airplanes, classic cars and fire trucks will be on site. The Liberty Lake Police Department will also bring a special car in tribute to fallen officers in the northwest.
The Fly-In begins at 8 a.m. Rotary breakfast runs from 8 to 10 a.m. in a hangar followed by awards at 10:30 a.m. Honors include People’s Choice, Best Experimental, Best Antique, Best Classic, Best Contemporary, Longest-Distance Flown, Oldest and Youngest Pilots.
At 11 a.m., Washington Flying Farmers will conduct their annual meeting.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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