Arlington spreads its wings on first day of Fly-in

Published 1:00 pm Friday, July 10, 2015

ARLINGTON — The first day of the 46th Arlington Fly-In drew both lifelong aviation aficionados and children who’d never seen an airplane up close before.

The annual event runs through Saturday at the Arlington Municipal Airport, 18204 59th Ave. NE. There are air shows each afternoon, historic planes and tanks on display, family activities and opportunities to learn more about aircraft or even take flight.

“We’re pretty excited about this year’s event,” Arlington Mayor and Fly-In Director Barbara Tolbert said. “We have several areas that have really enhanced their attractions this year.”

The vintage planes display has three historic plane replicas built to look and fly like the originals. There’s a Boeing 40C, one of the first air-mail carriers; a Douglas World Cruiser designed in the 1920s to fly around the world; and a Gee Bee Q.E.D., first built in the 1920s for the “golden age of air-racing,” Tolbert said.

“These three planes are all pieces of aviation history,” she said.

There also is a new exhibit called “Rise Above” with an interactive video about the Tuskegee Airmen, the renowned crew of African American pilots who fought in World War II, and a replica of the planes they flew.

There will be food trucks, shady spots and a beer garden featuring libations from Whiskey Ridge Brewing. Live demonstrations of full-size World War II tanks, a parade of polished aircraft and a Friday night hot air balloon glow are on the list of attractions this weekend.

Ten children ages six to 12 followed Rexanne Otti, program director at the Arlington Boys &Girls Club, around the airport Thursday morning. It was kids day at the Fly-In, and several daycares and summer programs brought groups to the event. The Boys &Girls Club has been going to the Fly-In for years, Otti said.

“They love seeing all the old planes and tanks,” she said. “These are things they normally don’t get to get up close and personal with, that they see in movies and on TV, but not usually in person up close.”

The children exclaimed over airplanes flying in formation overhead. They chattered excitedly about kettle corn, face painting and a chance to blow bubbles near a couple of kiddie pools set up with bubble solution and wands.

Mackenzie Curry brought her 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son to the Fly-In for the first time this year. She smeared sunscreen on their arms while their heads swiveled to keep up with everything.

“They have the planes constantly flying, so there’s always something to look at,” Curry said.

Teresa Eli had been to the Fly-In when she was young and always wanted to bring her own children. On Thursday, she shepherded them and their friends, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years old, around the airport.

Eli, from Oak Harbor, said the Fly-In is bigger than she remembers from when she was a kid.

“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “It’s fun for everybody. There’s something to do for everyone and it’s good family time.”

Kids weren’t the only ones enjoying the Fly-In’s opening day.

Jeanne Howe and husband Laith Barnhill are private pilots based in Arlington. They’ve always loved airplanes and built one from scratch for fun, but this is their first year working with planes professionally. They opened a cargo business about a year ago that hauls Washington produce to Alaska and brings Alaska salmon and halibut back. They’re selling the fish at the Fly-In this weekend.

In March, they started a second business called Point To Point Air LLC. It’s a charter operation where people can set up a time to be picked up at their local airstrip and flown to another landing area, as far east as the Idaho border, north to British Columbia or south to Portland.

Barnhill has been coming to the Fly-In now and then for 40 years. He grew up in Lake Stevens and used to go with his dad.

“For me, it’s about the camaraderie and the parties,” he said.

“And the awesome airplanes,” Howe added.

The Fly-In continues Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission. Children 15 and younger get in free, and there is no charge for parking a car.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.