FARMVILLE—After a yearlong hiatus, the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 960 hosted its annual Fly-in Day recently with pilots from all over the region providing plane rides to the public.
Held Sept. 23 at Flanagan Air Field, visitors from across the state stopped by to take their first look at the world of amateur flying.
“With recreational aviation shrinking, this is very important,” said pilot Scott Crippen.
Chapter 960 hosts events for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and youth organizations, teaching them about airplanes and how they fly, Crippen said. Following most lessons, youth are taken on a flight.
The past three years Fly-in Day was canceled due to inclement weather. This year’s clear skies, however, made the conditions optimal for flying.
Chapter 960 hosts private Fly-In Days throughout the year, but the ones are open to the public are aimed at getting guests interested in flying, Crippen explained.
“It’s to introduce the public to gen
eral aviation and it’s where kids can get an aviation ride,” he said. “It’s a cool way to introduce kids to aviation. Not just pilots (either). You have mechanics and air-traffic controllers.”
Through Chapter 960, Young Eagles was launched in 1992. The program provides free airplane rides to youth ages, 8-17. Farmville resident and private pilot David Stowe has taken approximately 15 local children up for a flight through the Young Eagles program.
Crippen was encouraged by the number of participants taking part, particularly those who drove long distances for Fly-In Day.
“I’m pretty impressed,” said attendee Michael Atkinson of Wilson “I used to fly, myself, for a couple of years. I think it’s great that they are giving the population a chance to come out and see what general aviation is all about.”
Vanceboro resident Stephanie Ponce appreciated Chapter 960 for hosting Fly-in Day. The event reminded her of her younger days seeing a crop duster do passes close to her childhood home, she said.
“Ever since then I’ve wanted to go up in one,” Ponce said.
Ponce took her first flight from Flanagan Field.
Many pilots on-hand this year said that while a major hurdle is simply learning how to properly fly a plane, the cost of buying a plane might turn some people off.
“It isn’t so difficult getting into it. The biggest thing is money,” said pilot Sean Reagin.
Reagin circumvented this by buying cheaper planes. Fuel costs can be manageable, too, he said.
“It is accessible. We find ways to keep the costs down,” said Reagin father’s, Brian, who is also a pilot. “This plane does not cost much more than what people pay for a used car.”
Flanagan Field — once a hayfield — was built by Harold Flanagan in 1989. Flanagan’s features a 2,500-foot runway and 14 hangars. It is open from sunrise to sunset.
Flanagan’s houses 16 airplanes and two gliders. Pitt County has 123 registered aircraft, which includes those housed at Pitt-Greenville Airport — 18 are housed at Flanagan Field.
Experimental Aircraft Association’s Chapter 960, which was chartered in 1990. The chapter also hosts a Fly-in Day in the spring, which is intended for pilots only.
The Enterprise serves western Pitt County including Falkland, Farmville and Fountain.
