2002 AIR FEST,

BELLINGHAM, WA

The fourth annual Air Fest held on Father's Day, June 16, at the Bellingham Airport was another apparent success. The weather was a mixed bag of filtered sun, full sun, cloud and cool breezes, with a hint of threatening showers. Nonetheless, a good and steady attendance of patrons prevailed, who were accordingly rewarded with a wide variety of attractions throughout the day. Doors opened to the public at 10 am with the festivities winding down in the late afternoon.

Although the military presence was understandably minimal this year, the private sector more than took up the slack. My close estimate count of participating aircraft tallied around 50, of all types. A good crowd of piston Warbirds, some rare, including a Czech built Yak 11, NX25YK and a Grumman F8F Bearcat from the stable of the Heritage Flight Museum at Orcas Island WA, flown in by General (retired) Bill Anders. Also a couple of Jet "Birds" were on hand for static display &endash; an L-39 Albatros, NX77HG and a Canadair built 1964 CT-114 Tutor, N4017B. Nicely rounding out the display ramp were numerous Antiques, Classics, kitplanes and the unusual, one of which was a like new 1955 Bonanza twin, C-50, sporting polished metal with U.S.A.F. insignias but under Canadian registration, C-GVCZ and powered by Lycoming GO-480 engines.

It wasn't a day only for airplane buffs. Motor vehicle aficionados were also in their element of enjoyment being able to get up close and personal with a display parade of 'spit n polished' pristine vehicles of history &endash; Custom, Classic, Stock oldster cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles. No doubt, a fella could razor shave with ease in the mirror shine on these beauties. Also plenty of exhibits, displays and food vendors were on site with added entertainment of live band music. And, for a price, biplane and helicopter rides were also in steady demand throughout the day. Surprisingly enough, the many spectators had a fairly free range and close access to all aircraft while on static display, albeit the presence of "friendly" security and police forces was always close at hand.

The Air Fest is in fact a Fly-In without an Airshow component. This not say however that the airport airspace is not active. Aside from scheduled cargo and passenger service, there was local general aviation traffic plus ongoing fly-in arrivals, departures, fly-overs and flypasts by the visiting aircraft, especially Warbirds, often in formation which is a real treat for all to witness &endash; a look at yesteryear and an appreciation of the way it was and acknowledgement to those who served in the military forces. In this respect R.D."Crash" Williams proudly at the controls of his TBM Avenger, led a formation flight of two T-28 Trojans, N328AK and N215SF with the F8F Bearcat piloted by General Anders. Singles, pairs and a trio of warbirds likewise presented themselves to the crowds during the day. Although not Warbirds, the "Backjack Squadron" sporting various colorful RV models and based at Arlington WA, are skilled, veteran, close formation flyers. This day, to the applause of many, they appeared, under a temporary blue sky, in squadron strength in a tight nine ship formation that was a sight to behold, let alone envied by any war time flyers. A couple of neat passes and then down and formation taxi to parking and static display.

My surprise for the day, was coming upon the neat line of four Navions and an M20-C Mooney. The "Fraser Blues", a recently certified air demonstration formation team, were unbeknownst to me the featured participants at this year's event. Some of the pilots and I go back a few years, having shared some good times together. With cameras and notebook at hand I was doing the line stroll when familiar voices passed their greetings. Always good to meet ol' friends. George Miller, the 'honcho' for this bunch unexpectedly invited me to ride along on the rehearsal flight preceding the main event, that was about to happen after a short briefing. I quickly accepted. It had been some time since I had last flown and I was a bit skeptical, more about myself than anything I guess, on such short notice. But my little voice of good guidance, gave me a green light push. Back to the car for the right camera and lens and a hasty return. I heard my name hailed and it was Ken Morley, assigned to # 5 slot, who said I was his passenger. Good enough, and after I, with a little help from my pilot, got squared away we were ready to roll out. George Miller of Langley B.C. was team lead in his M20-C Mooney, followed by Willie Paterson of Cassidy B.C. as # 2 and Ray Roussy of Surrey B.C. as # 3, both flying North America Navions dressed in U.S. military markings. Gord Ball, of Abbotsford followed as #6 in his colorful Ryan Navion, "Iron Eagle", with us following as # 5, in a gorgeous Ryan Navion, once in the stable of aircraft of the Douglas Aircraft Company and now proudly owned by Ken and Linda Morley of Winlock WA. Normally the 'Formation' consists of six aircraft with a seventh position planned in the near future, but this day it was the noted five and one passenger with camera. Gathered runway's end, a run up and final check-off, we were released. A beautiful five ship formation take-off with the bumpy air easing at a thousand feet or so. It was sure exhilarating to be back upstairs, especially with this group. Although my expectations of a practice flight, a least for this day, were somewhat contrary to realty, which is to say they were up for the real thing, not just a tweaking session. Well it turned out to be quite a ride and a reminder that ones' mental and physical conditions can change in a hurry for a passenger if you don't stay focused and in the saddle. I almost lost it!! but thanks to my pilot I retained my composure and recovered my senses, even to continue taking photographs. It truly was a flight to remember, in all aspects. My thanks to all and particularly to Ken Morley who I would fly with again anytime.

Story and Photos

By Ed Anderson