While many in aviation - owners, pilots, enthusiasts plus the aviation press - sing the praises of Lakeland's Sun N' Fun airshow as the sport aviation season opener, the antique airplane community more accurately recognizes the Cactus Fly-in in Casa Grande, AZ as the fly-in bellwether for the upcoming season.
Occurring annually the first weekend in March each year, it not only precedes the Lakeland event by over a month it is also much older, with the 2009 event being it's 51st.
Les Whittlesey's Grand Champion Lockheed 12.
Patrick Donovan, from Tucson, had just flown his Lockheed
12 home from New Zealand the week before the fly-in.
The Cactus Fly-in draws antiques, classics, warbirds, neo-classics and homebuilts from all over the southwest US. It also attracts quite a number of "snowbirds" from the midwest, anxious to soak up some sun, warmth, meet with old friends and see some antique airplanes flying.
Once again in 2009, Fly-in Chairman Terry Emig, his wife Michele and their legion of volunteers from the Arizona chapter of the AAA and the local EAA chapter, arranged for beautiful weather, a great group of aircraft and antiquers and a safe event. As one whom has a bit of experience as a fly-in chairman, fly-ins like Casa Grande that run so smooth and seamless are a testament to the leadership and hard work of those in charge as well as those volunteering their time to help.
So to all those fine folks that make the Cactus Fly-in such a relaxing and enjoyable event, "Thank You" very much.
But what about the airplanes?? Well there certainly were some fine and interesting aircraft in attendance. Highlights included three Lockheed 12's, a very rare sight indeed. They included Joe Shepard's from Fayetteville, GA, Les Whittlesey's from Coto de Casa, CA and Patrick Donovan's from Tucson though Patrick had just flown the airplane home from New Zealand the week before!
Joe Ciabattoni's Stinson SR-7 from Upland, CA.
Also on hand, Bruce Dickenson's hybrid Howard, "Mr Dickenson", whose performance was nothing short of impressive. Then there was "Mustang" guru Bob Odegard in a polished P-51, the Super Corsair, Bamboo Bomber, Grumman Widgeon & Albatross, Lee and Carolyn Jones's highly polished Twin Beech from Alaska, the Hickman's in their Buckers from San Diego, lots of Stearmans, Ercoupes and homebuilts along with a wide variety of other aircraft.
Start making plans to attend the 52nd Annual Cactus Fly-in March 5-6, 2010. You know the Fly-in that really kicks of the fly-in season!
From Santa Paula, CA, Bruce Dickenson’s hybrid Howard,
the P&W R-1340 powered "Mr. Dickenson".
