Pilots from about a 300-mile radius flew into the Colusa County airport for a quick breakfast and some socializing before they wheeled up ahead of the heat.
About 35 planes, along with some Harley Davidson Trike motorcycles and vintage automobiles, were the center of attention at the 25th annual Old Time Fly-in, hosted by the Colusa County Aviation Association.
Saturdays temperatures reached 114, well above the record high of 109 for the third Saturday in July. But the early morning event was an opportunity for area pilots and the public to get a look at a variety of aircraft, from warbirds to experimental.
” The main thing is getting local pilots to get together to show off our local airport,” said Paul Sankey, a longtime pilot and member.
With the help of volunteers from Hold My Beer Flying Club, who will have two fly-ins in the fall and another in the spring, the group awarded several prizes.
Andy Bell, of Bishop, received the award for coming the farthest distance in a 2017 skyraider ultralight.
A 1963 Cessna Centurion, piloted by Craig Timsley, of Valley Springs, earned the best appearance award.
Steve Schultzs 1941 N3N World War II trainer, commonly referred to as the ” Yellow Peril,” was the oldest airplane at the show.
The ” Peoples Favorite” award was given to Mike Bell, of Cameron Park, for his Lockwood Air Cam, a high-wing, twin engine pusher configuration aircraft with conventional landing gear.
Although Bell has been to the Colusa fly-in with other aircraft, this was this planes debut appearance, making it a standout with visitors and other pilots.
Bell built the aircraft from a kit two years ago, making it one of only 250 Air Cams licensed and flying, as of 2019.
” This plane was developed by National Geographic in Africa for photographing the tops of the jungle canopy,” Bell said. ” They wanted it to have two engines because if you had an engine failure, they would never find you out in a desolate place.
The open-cockpit aircraft seats two in tandem.
” The pilot sat in the back, and the cameraman sat in front,” Bell said.
Bell said once the plane caught the attention of amateur pilots, Lockwood made the aircraft available as a kit.
” This is the Air Cams 25th anniversary.
About 113 people, including visiting pilots, enjoyed the breakfast prepared by Don Litchfield, of Rocco’s. The event is always open to the public to raise awareness and support for keeping the local airport viable for future generations, organizers said.
Most pilots were back into the air by 10:30 AM due to the heat and smoky conditions from recent wildfires. Many walked away with raffle prizes, which were donated by dozens of local businesses. –