September 19, 2015 - Essex Skypark Wings & Wheels

The weather forecast for today's Essex Skypark Wings and Wheels fly-in had been excellent but when I woke up and looked out the window, it was foggy.  I checked the weather again and it wasn't supposed to clear until 10AM.  I figured the fly-in turn out today would be low.  I was in total whiteout crossing the Key Bridge on the way to the airport.

Here's how things looked early in the morning at the Skypark.  (Photo taken by Rob R.)
   
As I have the past three years, my job at the fly-in was to man the gate.  Maggie helped me as she has in past years.  This year she brought Riley, her Beagle puppy dog.  Ellen stopped by to visit.
   
Yours truly ready to man the gate.  Over 300 cars came through the gate.
   
Mugsy and Riggo do a fly-by on their way over to the Mid-Atlantic RV Fly-In at Carroll County.
   
Right on schedule, the overcast started breaking up around 10AM.
   
Soon the fly-in was operating at full RPM.
   
At the gate, cars just kept coming in.  On the field, airplanes began arriving.
   
I put my RV on the line for display.
   
One of the new additions to Essex Skypark is this brand new Air Cam.  It's only weeks away from its first flight.
   
Tom K on his tractor, giving hay rides.
   
All aboard!
   
Art walking his dog while watching the aerial activity.
   
Chuck capturing the action on camera.
   
An impromptu EAA Chapter 571 meeting outside Paul's hangar.  Paul's Super Cub is nearing completion.
   
 Later on, Paul cruises around the Skypark on his combat motor scooter.
   
Bruce's RV-3 all put together and looking good in the sunshine.
   
Max and son in a nifty four wheel vehicle.
   
When not flying his Stearman, Chip cruises on his ATV.
   
 
Line-up of planes that have flown in.
   
A close-up of Brian's Husky.
   
There were quite a few show cars including this nice vintage Vette.
   
Rotary wing had a very visible presence as well.
   
Inexpensive airplane rides were available in a Cessna 172.  Here Max is giving a battleship sailor a ride.
   
Action at the gate dried up around 3PM so I took Maggie for a ride in the RV.
   
I took Maggie's boyfriend Phil for a ride as well.  His first ride in a small plane.  He liked it.
   
Giving Ryan her first ride in a small plane.
   
 
My niece Emily has flown with me before but it had been awhile.
   
We're going vertical!  Thanks to Chuck B. for taking the first good picture of my plane with SMOKE ON!
   
Bruce and Ellen's daughters invited a lot of their friends and it turned into the biggest party I've ever seen at Essex Skypark.  Almost 100 people turned up!
   
I've never seen so many kids here.
   

Chip always has a party after the fly-in and this year was no exception.

So concluded what I think was the best Essex Skypark Fly-In in history.  Everyone just seemed to be in a great mood to enjoy airplanes and a perfect day.
   
   
Previous
Home
Next