Desert Aire Fly-in breakfast coming this weekend

DESERT AIRE — As is customary on Father’s Day weekend, the Desert Aire Airport will have its annual Desert Aire Airport Fly-in Breakfast this Saturday, June 18.

“Rain or shine, the Fly-In Pancake Breakfast in Desert Aire is the place to go this weekend,” organizer Melinda Skogerson said.

The Fly-in Breakfast is the lone fundraiser for the airport each year, and all of the proceeds are used for maintenance of what is now one of the best small airports in the U.S. It recently underwent a $1 million renovation.

All of the pre-breakfast work and all of the work at the breakfast will done by volunteers. They will start serving at 7 a.m. and shut down about 11 a.m.

During that time visitors will also have the opportunity to win free fly-overs of South County from pilots donating the flights. They will be given away in a raffle.

There will be four South County fly-overs valued at $250 each. There will be two 2-rounds of golf and riding cart packages. Each of those packages is valued at $105.

The hearty Fly-in Breakfast will include sausage, pancakes, eggs, juice, milk and coffee. A $5 donation is suggested, but the friends of the airport will not turn away larger donations.

The Desert Aire Airport is a vital connection to the outside world, particularly in times of emergency. It can handle medical emergency planes and helicopters.

“Last year we served 550 breakfasts to Desert Aire residents and friends,” Skogerson said. “We had planes fly in from as far away as Alaska.”

Pilots from all over the Northwest, and even outside of the Northwest, fly in with a wide array of planes. They enjoy a breakfast and chat with the attendees.

The Fly-in is not for private planes only. They have included medical emergency and military units. There is usually a surprise or two each year.

Breakfast will be served in Harang’s Hangar. To get there, follow the signs from the Sagebrush Senior Center.