Antiques like this Travel Air 6000 will be on display at the first annual fly-in, “Thunder Over the Coconino,” at Valle Airport (40G) on October 22.
Working with local EAA Chapters, Valle Airport (40G) is planning to hold its first annual fly-in for owners of all GA aircraft, including antique, classic, homebuilts, warbirds, LSAs and rotorcraft, on Saturday, October 22. The all-day event, open to everyone and titled “Thunder Over The Coconino,” will also feature a chili cook-off sanctioned by the International Chili Society.
Early arrivals will be able to take advantage of a pancake breakfast. At 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., there will be a Parade of Flight, during which all pilots in attendance will be encouraged to make a number of fly-bys. At 1:00 p.m., there will be a sack bombing contest in which all pilots can participate. Prizes will be awarded to the three pilots scoring highest.
Antique, classic and homebuilt aircraft will be judged for quality and plaques will be awarded on Saturday night at the awards banquet. The pilot who flies in from the greatest distance will receive a free tank of gas and all other pilots will be treated to avgas at 50 cents below the normal price. Every pilot who flies in will receive a free coffee mug and one free ticket for the awards banquet.
Young Eagle rides will be hosted during the times between scheduled events. At 4:00 p.m., the winner will be announced for the chili cook-off; samples prepared by all of the cooks will be available to everyone, while supplies last.
On Sunday, pilots and their passengers can take advantage of reduced ride tickets for flights over the Grand Canyon, the IMAX film on the Grand Canyon or a special 12-hour canyon over-flight and river trip.
On Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, the Grand Canyon Airlines Ford Tri-Motor will be taking passengers up for flights around the Valle area.
Registration for pilots will be $10 per aircraft. Local motels have discounted rooms and free camping is available. General admission for the public will be $10 for adults; children 6 to 16 will be $5; children 5 and under will be free and no family will have to pay more than $25. Included in the admission is free entry to the famous Planes of Fame Air Museum, located on Valle Airport.
The museum houses a fascinating collection of some 30 antiques, warbirds and homebuilts, including “Bataan,” the Lockheed C-121A Constellation that once served as General Douglas MacArthur’s personal transport plane.
For more information, contact Norm Gobeil at Valle Airport at 928.635.5280, or email valleairpt@aol.com.