Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Pilots fly to Colfax for EAA fly-in
Addison Pemberton, of Spokane, flew a 1942 Grumman G-21A Goose to Colfax on Sept 25. The Goose is an amphibious used for transport during World War II.
The Colfax Rotary fed 160 people at the EAA fly-in.
The Boeing Stearman, flown by Ben Littlefield, received the People's Choice Award.
Built and owned by Stephen Phillabaum, this fixed wing single engine plane is classified as experimental.
A boy is held up to better inspect the interior of the Grumman Goose.
Stacey Smisek lands a Cessna 172 after giving a plane ride over the Palouse.
COLFAX – The skies around Colfax were buzzing with the sound of 40 airplanes taking part in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Fly-In.
"Airplane nuts just love watching airplanes," said fly-in coordinator Barney Buckley. "The breakfast is the big deal. They come for that and to see the airplanes."
The Port of Whitman Business Air Center was where 160 people ate breakfast, toured the parked airplanes, bought rides, and for some - flew home.
The Colfax Rotary Breakfast served eggs, sausages, and pancakes.
"We were quite pleased with the turnout," said Buckley. "We didn't have any expectations because it was crazy for the last year and a half."
Forty aircraft was a good turnout, said Buckley. In the seven years of fly-ins, the highest turnout was 50 and reached the limit of parking for aircraft.
Some of the visiting aircraft was a twin-engine 1942 Grumman Goose from Spokane, a 1944 Stinson, a Murphy Super Rebel from Canada, and Van's Aircraft RV kit planes.
"There were at least four or five ... they are very popular in the area," he said of the kit planes.
The People's Choice Award was given to the owners of a black and gold Boeing Steerman, a former 1940s military trainer.
An award went to the pilot of the Aeronca Champion since it was flown the farthest to take part in the fly-in. It came from Republic.
The youngest pilot was 21 and the oldest 85.
"We never know from year to year what will show up," said Buckley.
The EAA is based in Lewiston, Idaho, and has a second fly-in in the spring. The group provides a display at the Palouse Empire Fair.
It was Buckley's Piper Cherokee 180 on display this year. He lives in Colfax and taxied his plane from the Colfax airport to the fairgrounds.
He's been an EAA member for 10 years.
'I've been involved from the start of the fly-in in Colfax and at the fair," he said.
The term "experimental aircraft" is a category of aircraft of home-built or highly modified aircraft. They are inspected and certified by the FAA.
"They have a lot of different rules," he said.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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