$2,000 netted by Fly-in and Breakfast
Several aficionados of flight, including youngster David Martin of Moses Lake, check out the Medevac helicopter flown in by the US Army from the Yakima training center.
This A-26 Invader, owned by Peter and Lorri Hambling of Seattle, and named Sexy Sue, makes a fly-over appearance at the Desert Aire Fly-in and Breakfast Saturday morning. It captivated those in attendance. Known as the B-26 at one time, the A-26 is a twin-engine light bomber and attack aircraft built by Douglas Aircraft during WWII. A limited number served in combat until 1969. The last A-26 in active U.S. service was retired in 1972.
DESERT AIRE - About $2000 was raised again for support of the Desert Aire Airport by the desert air flying breakfast last Saturday morning.
Desert Aire Airport provides a measure of practical medical insurance to all of South Grant County. From there, emergency illness and accident victims can be flown by plane or helicopter to appropriate treatment facilities.
According to volunteer Linda Strand, wife of airport manager David Strand, about 485 plates of breakfast were served, generating donations of $2,875.53. Children ate free.
After expenses were deducted, there were about the usual $2,000 left for support of the airport. They will be used to maintain the runway, taxi ways and aprons.
According to Strand, volunteer cooks and servers put out nine boxes of sausage, 75 pounds of pancake mix, 72 dozen eggs, plus coffee, milk, and orange juice.
“It is always so much fun, however a tremendous amount of work,” Strand said. “And it certainly wouldn’t happen without the 30 volunteers who give it their all, from pre-planning and food purchasing, advertising, preparation of the hangar, Friday evening set-up of moving in tables and chairs, through 4:30 a.m. coffee making, cooking, serving and cleaning up afterward.”
“Also, thank you this year to ThinkTank Sanitation Services for supplying the all important port-a-potty. We really appreciate them.”
Those who came to breakfast were treated to one of the best Fly-ins ever. The weather was agreeable and favorable. Approximately 27 airplanes flew in from around the state, plus the MedStar Euro-135 Helicopter.
“A special thanks to Major Borwaski, 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, US Army, from Yakima for joining us for breakfast,” Strand said.
Jim VanSky, with his Robinson R-44 helicopter, and his colleague with the MD300 helicopter, who are here for cherry harvest, joined the Fly-in for display to the public.
“Wasn’t the A-26 Fly-By something?” Strand commented. “Peter Hambling, pilot and owner, is wonderful for donating his time and resources to fly over in Sexy Sue just so we could enjoy some history of WWII.”