Sexy Sue scheduled for Fly-in fly-over
Chuck Fuller, Desert Aire Airport security manager, owns and flies the Grumman Traveler.
DESERT AIRE - A fly-over by Sexy Sue is expected to be part of the show Saturday, June 14, when the annual Desert Aire Airport Fly-in & Breakfast is celebrated.
Sexy Sue is an A26 Invader attack bomber employed by the U.S. against Japan in WWII. It is privately owned now.
Sexy Sue can be landed at Desert Aire in an emergency, but it is too big for the local airport under normal conditions.
The fly-in and breakfast is an annual Father's Day weekend event. Visitors enjoy a country breakfast while they observe planes landing and parked.
"Pilots from all over the area will be flying in to experience a hardy sausage, pancake and eggs breakfast," airport administrative assistant Suzi Gruber said.
Everyone in the surrounding communities is invited to have breakfast and enjoy the many fly-ins and fly-overs. There are bound to be a surprise plane or two in the mix.
This celebration of aviation seems to grow every year. It is the airport's largest fundraiser. The funds go to airport maintenance.
Breakfast will be served from 7-11 a.m. It will include hot coffee and ice cold orange juice. It will feature a "scrumptious" scrambled egg recipe by Ken Broda of Tiddaly Diddaly's.
Breakfast will be served in the large hangar (M-94). A $5 donation is asked and appreciated. Proceeds will be used to maintain the airport runway, taxiways and apron areas. Children under 5 will be served free of charge.
"Last year there were 520 people who attended and 27 very interesting airplanes," Gruber said.
Aviation memorabilia tables, as there have been in the past, are planned. The theme will be red, white and blue to honor the upcoming Independence Day.
"I was the cashier last year," Gruber said. "I met a lot of enthusiastic people who came to see the planes, eat and enjoy playing catch-up after being down south for the winter.
"I am continually impressed at how outgoing people are here. So willing to help out and volunteer in any capacity to make Desert Aire a safe, comfortable and vibrant place to live."