Plane enthusiasts turn out for aviation festival

Goers keep eyes to skies for Army Green Beret jumpers

A wind blowing across the runway early in the morning raised some concerns, but in the end the 2004 aviation festival kick-off was pretty sunny.

Sightseers and high flyers alike turned out for the 11 a.m. festival and an 8 a.m. fly-in breakfast Saturday at Grant County International Airport.

Not all of the planes that were scheduled to make an appearance did.

"The A-10s canceled because of weather yesterday (and) I'm sure the (World War I) Tiger Moth won't be here," said Port industrial development manager Albert Anderson. "It looks like it's going to be a decent day. It's a little windier than we would have liked it to be. The temperature's nice, though."

Port executive manager David Senne said that the A-10s were unable to appear and do their fly-by because they were not equipped for icy conditions, which they ran into in Boise.

"That was the only real big disappointment that we had," he said. "We had a good turn out on all of the other aircraft."

Sights included the Med-Star helicopter, a number of planes from the Experimental Aviation Association during the group's fly-in breakfast and some that remained during the festival, planes from the Big Bend Community College aviation programs, and Boeing's chase plane.

"The EAA sponsored the pancake breakfast, so we like to come up and support the EAA," said Mike Miller, a Grumman pilot who flew in for the breakfast. "I've been to a lot of them, but the first time here in Moses Lake. They've got a good operation. Could have had a little bit more sunshine, a little warmer, but it's going to be a beautiful day."

Long lines of people gathered inside the C-17 on loan from McChord Air Force Base, to go up three at a time into the cockpit.

"This has been the queen of the fleet two years ago," Senne said. "One of the things we did have a problem with was the military aircraft. They wanted to support us but they couldn't. They just had too many real missions. The Air Force provided the C-17, which is a big commitment for them to do that. So we really appreciate that."

The Army Green Beret parachute team was able to make their first hourly jump about 11:30 a.m., which drew the attention of a majority of the people who turned out for the festival.

"I love the parachuters," said Vicki Silva.

"We're always fans of the airplanes, always fans of the airport," said John Silva. "It's as good as it was two years ago. It's great to see the kids out, give them something to do. And old people too, like us."

"I want to see airplanes and show the kids," said Fedor Novikov, who was there with Mark, Yelena, Vitaly and Elizabeth. "I've seen all the little airplanes, helicopters, and lots of huge ones. Most, how do you say, significant. We appreciate what they've done for people."

Stanley Yates of Ephrata said he was interested in the experimental aircraft.

"They don't have many experimental aircraft here, but they still have enough to look at," he said. "Impressive."

Yates said he was most impressed with the Columbia Pacific Aviation PBY because it was the oldest plane on display.

"We just moved here a month ago, and my husband is in the military, so we're here to check out his booth," said Margarita Sesate. "It's pretty nice, a nice day. It's a nice way to get everybody together."