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What's worth $2,400,000, weighs 47,000 pounds, and haunted the skies over Iraq during its first combat mission in 1991 at the start of Operation Desert Storm? The answer: the US Air Force A-10, also nicknamed the Warthog. Where can you see one? Simply bring a lawn chair and your camera, and come join the crowd this weekend as Greenville once again becomes center stage for the 28th Annual International Seaplane Fly-In. According to Frank Woodworth, President of the Fly-In Committee, two A-10s from Massachusetts, described as "highly maneuverable tank killers with huge jet engines," are confirmed to do a fly-by on Saturday. Land planes have become well-integrated into this "longest-running seaplane fly-in in the world" and are now regularly included in one of the contests, the popular poker run, held on Friday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 8. "We have a new route for the land plane poker run and ask that pilots sign up as early as possible," said Woodworth. Registration for all contests take place at the Stobie Air Hangar at the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) headquarters. But the main reason the seaplane fly-in brings together hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators from neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico to faraway places like France and Sweden along the shores of Moosehead Lake is to celebrate the beauty and agility of that rare bird, the seaplane. It also gives people the opportunity to see first-hand the prowess of those other rare birds: the bush pilots. Greenville has a few of those, and the Fly-In weekend offers a chance to listen to their thrilling anecdotes and learn a thing or two about safety. On Friday night starting at 6 p.m., Steve Mason's hangar at the Greenville Airport (3B1) will be the site of a barbecue cook-out and party, at the cost of $20 per person. FAA Airworthiness Safety Program Manager David Pepple will then hold a seminar on aircraft airworthiness for pilots at 8 p.m. According to the FAA newsletter, the president of the Seaplane Pilot's Association, Michael Volk, will also make an appearance to promote seaplane flying and answer questions. These seminars are a great opportunity for pilots and wanabees to get together with old friends and make new ones, while trading safety information with professionals. For those interested in the latest projects of the Maine Aviation Historical Society, Leo Boyle will make a presentation at 7 p.m. at the Squaw Mountain Resort on Rte. 15. On Saturday, the real fun begins for us mere spectators. Seaplane pilots will put their skills to the test and entertain the crowd in a series of contests beginning at 10:30 a.m. in front of Stobie Air Hangar. Spectators are invited to come watch the show from the grassy knolls along the southern shore of Moosehead Lake. Contests include the popular bush pilot's canoe race and accuracy "bomb" drops, and the precise take-offs and spot landings, mixed with an exciting dose of demonstrations and fly-bys by an array of unique aircraft. As Woodworth pointed out, the biggest challenge in organizing this kind of event is "getting everyone working in different directions efficiently. It's not unlike a symphony, but well worth it when it all comes together!" According to early sign-ins, a better turnout is expected than last year. "Just pray for good weather!" said Woodworth. Every year a variety of airplanes are on static display around the IF&W grounds, including the only DC-3 on floats in the world owned by Folsom's Air Service. Many Jimmy Buffett fans hope to spot his noble-looking white Caravan, with a possible parrot-scheme painted on the tail, land on Moosehead Lake during the weekend, since the recording star "has a habit of just dropping in," said Woodworth. Another much-anticipated sight will be Roger Currier and his pilot Vernon Pearce flying in formation their magnificent fleet of vintage seaplanes. Currier's Flying Service of Greenville is the only commercial operation in the US to use two Cessna 195s on floats, as well as a seven-passenger deHavilland Beaver. On Saturday night the Squaw Mountain Resort will host a buffet banquet from 5:30 to 8 p.m., followed by an award ceremony and a show of Maine humor with the Wicked Good Band. Tickets can be purchased during the day at the registration tables at the Stobie Air Hangar for $25 per person. On Sunday the contests will pick up at 9:30 a.m. with the taxi slalom and pulse-racing fly-bys and demonstrations. This year's Fly-In is dedicated to George Grinnell. A respected judge from New Hampshire, Grinnell had attended every fly-in since 1973 until his passing last year. |