Published: October 10, 2008 08:00 pm      

Fly-In lands in King City

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The skies over the King City will be filled with vintage and private aircraft on Oct. 18 and 19 for the 12th Annual Little Egypt Fly-In and Veterans Reunion.

“It’s incredible to think that we’re being in our 12th year,” Chris Collins, airport manager and member of the Experimental Aircraft Association said. “It’s exciting that it has evolved the way it has.”

The Fly-In is sponsored by the EAA Chapter 1155 of Mt. Vernon, and brings in close to 100 aircraft each year — many of them planes flown in World War II. Last year, thousands attended the event, and close to 300 youth received their first airplane ride through the EAA Young Eagles program. There are an average of 250 Young Eagle Rides taken each year during the Fly-In, Collins said.

“We have a two-fold mission,” Collins said. “The Young Eagle rides and to honor our veterans with the Veterans Reunion. The reunion is on the ramp around the airplanes and probably more important, inside the terminal, where we have exhibits and various displays from our area veterans. It’s a chance for the veterans to share their stories with the younger generations. What better place to do that than around the World War II planes?”

The Young Eagle flights are free to those youth between the ages of 8 through 17 to participate in their first airplane ride.

In addition to the aircraft, there will be military reenactment displays, static U.S. military displays, antique military vehicles and an antique tractor show at the event.

The Fly-In will begin at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19. The event is free for all to attend.