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Bellingham
WA-AIRFest 2003 Early marine cloud and a bit
of moisture were dismissed by mid morning for a sun
filled fun day. Vintage aircraft, pristine
yesteryear cars, trucks, motorcycles and, this year
for the first time, a full aerobatic display
program. Airshow performers at their Sunday best
were; Greg Poe of Boise Idaho, flying the "Crucial
Edge 540", Bud Granley Airshows, Everett WA - 'Yak
55M', Ken Fowler and the 'Harmon Rocket', John
Mrazek in his big Mk. IV Harvard, and the Fraser
Blues, a five place Navion flying formation team,
all based in British Columbia. The "Cascade
Warbirds Squadron 2" were also in attendance as
were the William Anders bunch with aircraft of the
Heritage Flight Museum, Orcas Island WA, now
apparently lobbying hard to relocate at the
Bellingham International Airport. Late morning
arrivals included eight members of the well known
Blackjack Squadron, a 16 place formation flying
demonstration group, sporting kit RVs, based at
Arlington WA. Upwards of sixty aircraft
filled the ramp, from Amphibian Floats to Antiques,
Classics, Kits, Warbirds, jet trainers and active
military (two U.S. Navy F-18 "Hornets" and a U.S.
Marines A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog"). Throughout
the day there were a variety of planes that went
airborne for fly-bys. Great Stuff. A couple of Travelair
biplanes, a Stinson "Detroiter" and an SNJ-5 were
very steady all day with pay passengers. Likewise,
the food vendors and display booths had little
rest. For the young ones J.P. Patches Clown Show
and Kids Korner easily took care of any boredom
factor. A fairly good barometer that everyone
really enjoyed themselves. Albeit the security
presence was there, but in a rather subtle way, not
overbearing, which made for a comfortable but safe
environment. Quite a challenge in these days of
increased concerns. The affable Greg Poe, as
always, thrilled his audience with vigorous and
stunning sequences of aerobatic displays "from Out
of the Blue". Loops, rolls, hammerheads, eight
Cubans, free falls and more in his Crucial Edge 540
lightweight mount, built with the absolute best of
aeronautic technology. 16 shows to this date, from
El Salvador to Alaska to Saskatchewan, Canada and
back to the circuit in the United
States. Story and Photos By Ed Anderson |
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