ARLINGTON — Spectators from all over stopped by to watch the annual Arlington Fly-In air show at the Arlington Airport July 9.
Some flew in, like Michael Anders, who landed his plane from Vancouver, Wash. He has attended the airshow every year since 2009.
“I get to camp with my airplane,” he said.
Anders said he enjoys the variety of pilots, whom he suspects all have 30,000 hours of expereince.
Anders has about 100 hours flying search and rescue as a volunteer. He got into aviation in 1996 because he wanted to be an astronaut.
“I thought that would be a good start,” he said.
But eventually he found out he couldn’t fufill his dream because he was color blind.
For James Traynor, it was his third time at the airshow. Traynor is from Grand Forks, Canada, and got into flying shortly after his son got his commercial license.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to get a pilot’s license,” he said.
He enjoys the aerobatics, but also the friendly atmosphere and activities.
“The best part is the airshow,” Traynor said. “It is the highlight of my day.”
He just wished there would have been more people spectating this year.
A lot of older pilots from last year couldn’t retain their licenses because of medical evaluations, and for whatever reason flying is not very appealing to younger people, Traynor said.
“I think cost is one of the things, and they just don’t find it very exciting,” he said. “Everyone is on Facebook and social media, which is a real shame.
“Maybe it’ll change, it could be like a cycle,” he added.
For others, it was their first time, like Alan Levinson, who flew in commercially with his wife Tiki from Alaska.
“I just wanted to see it,” Levinson said.
“It was an inexpensive trip,” Tiki added. “I just wanted to see all the different kinds of airplanes.
“But it does make me a little sick to my stomach,” she said about watching the aircraft stunts.
Levinson also wished there was more people, as he is an avid flyer himself.
“It’s expensive to be in aviation,” he said. “It does take money and dedication.”
Meanwhile, July 9 was Kids Day at the Fly-In. Mitzi Mielkey was with 16 children from the Kids ‘n’ Us summer camp for K-6 students. She said the camp has been coming to the air show for years.
“The kids love it,” she said, adding she likes the old Army stuff because her dad was a military policeman.
Kevin Behrent was at one of the displays. He is president of TeenFlight of Puyallup, which works with high school students to build planes.
He said he would like to branch out to other cities and even states. The key is getting sponsors. He said the students have built one plane and are close to finishing a second. They plan to sell planes in the future to keep the funding going.
Fly-In schedule, July 11
8 a.m. Gates open
9 a.m. Exhibits and workshops
10 a.m. Kids area
10 a.m. Biplane rides
11 a.m. Beer garden, food stands
1 p.m. Military tank demonstrations
2 p.m. Air show
4:30 p.m. Military vehicles pass and review parade
5:15 p.m. Aircraft judging award presentation
7 p.m. Live music
10 p.m. Runway Theater
Forums include: Flying the Cascades during summer, and air and search rescue. Others activities: Fly-mart sale (flea market); fly in a World War II bomber; car show featuring vintage, classic, custom and muscle cars; and Camp Adams (travel to World War II July 11 and fire rifle grenade, drive a jeep and ride in a Hellcat tank).
Cost $15 per person. Hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parking free.
Arlington Street Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11-12 at City Hall, 238 Olympic Ave. Fair filled with unique items, food, kids fun, and a farmers market.
A shuttle will operate to and from the airport and downtown Arlington.
Entertainment includes: July 11-10 a.m. Harvey Creek Band, country; Noon The Ginger Ups, easy listening; 2:30 A Well Known Stranger, Celtic; 5 p.m. The Pop Cycle, pop rock. July 12: Noon Second Baptist Sanctuary Choir; 2 p.m. Tarnished Brass Band
