Saturday, April 3, 2010, the Arizona Blue Sky Flyers fly-in event was originally planned to be a railroad adventure; the destination was downtown Globe, AZ via the Copper Spike railway running from the Apache Gold Casino located a few miles outside of Globe. As event day approached, we learned the train schedule had changed and the revised schedule wasn’t going to work with our planned event. So, our plans were modified but then subsequently, modified yet a second time. This time however, the modification incorporated the new destination of Coolidge for the first Saturday of the month Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast.
Off to Coolidge we went, 2 aircraft, 4 members – Margaret and Keith Monet plus Gert and Jim Little. We had hoped more club members would have joined us. Dewey and Sandy would have been there too but Dewey had a date at Cape Kennedy to watch the liftoff early on Monday morning of the space shuttle Discovery – he was rightfully excused! Another item checked off his “Bucket List”.
Our 9:00 a.m. arrival was right on schedule; the traffic pattern at Coolidge was quite busy, numerous aircraft arriving at nearly the same time. The aircraft ramp was just about full; a few parking spots were still available. To help maximize aircraft parking space, aircraft were parked close together, a few such as an RV-4 pictured below, were tucked in under the big C-130 fire bombers. The airport parking lot was full of cars, pickups and motorbikes.
Such a beautiful day! Clear sky, almost no wind, warm sun…….soon the light jackets came off. LOTS of airplanes to look at ranging from the numerous homebuilt varieties, a few classics, some warbirds and of course, a selection of Bonanza’s, Cessna’s, Cirrus and Piper’s too. The dining tables were full; the breakfast line was long and a bit slow to move. Everyone though seemed to be enjoying the great weather plus the level of excitement that comes from just being at this event.
After seeing the long breakfast line and before committing to having breakfast here, we considered flying on to Payson or perhaps Avra Valley. After walking around looking at some of the airplanes and looking in an open hangar or two, we found the line had shortened so we decided to stay. Besides, there were more planes to look at! As it turned out, we really didn’t have to wait very long, the line had begun to move at a good pace. While standing there, we got to visit with old DVT airport friends such as Stu Tracy and Jim Kahn plus pilot and non-pilot strangers who came from around the area.
Pictured below is Gert along with Margaret and Keith (opposite side of table) seated with “the girls from Apache Junction”. The “girls” drove to this event; they were anxious to have us sit with them, as they knew we had flown in. The “girls” were having a good time; they felt that by sitting with “real pilots” they could find out all there was to know about fly-in events such as this one.
Recently, discussions had taken place concerning removal of the big orange roofed World War II era hangar standing on the field. This historic building is one of the few remaining wartime all-wood hangars left in the country. It once served the airport's pilot-training and warbird-maintenance missions in World War II. Then it supported the missions of the former Williams Air Force Base and finally the hangar has played host to the airfield's civilian-aviation activities. Costs to tear down and remove it are prohibitive. Fortunately, Coolidge aviators and city officials came together and worked successfully to save this hangar from the wrecking ball. Early this year, an agreement was reached with a local business to update and maintain the structure. Today, work has already begun to maintain the hangar so that it may continue to serve the aviation community.
Pictured below with a Ryan PT-22 is Bob Robles. Back in 1942 – 43 while stationed in King City, CA at Mesa del Ray Airport, Bob was the Crew Chief on the PT-22 ……….the very aircraft you see here in this picture as seen on the ramp at Coolidge! I just thought it so interesting to listen to him tell the story of how a year or so ago, he came to find the current owner (Danny) and the plane he had maintained so many years ago. After getting acquainted, Bob gave Danny a few special tools specific to the PT-22 that he still had at home in his tool box. He told Danny he didn't think he needed those tools anymore, that he (Danny) should have them.
Side note: Gert and I met Danny about 15 years ago about the time he had just finished the restoration of his airplane. Danny takes exceptionally good care of it, I think it looks as good today as it did the first time I saw it. You would think that he had just brought it from the paint shop. Danny flies out of the Chandler Airport. Next time you are at one of the Phoenix area fly-in events and when you see this PT-22, look up Danny and introduce yourself………..he’s a heck of a nice fellow and would be happy to tell you all about his airplane.
We had our fill of the good meal served today, the breakfast was over once again for another month. Out on the ramp we walked taking in many of the sights and sounds as the planes were now thinning out. Here’s Margaret and Keith getting ready to head home.
A shuttle launch at Cape Kennedy may have been on Dewey’s bucket list…………but we had Coolidge!! Certainly a beautiful day for a fly-in breakfast…………my pancakes were still warm too, right to the last bite!
We may schedule the Globe train ride at another time as it seems to be an activity with all the ingredients of being a fun experience.
Below, a few pictures of the many aircraft visiting Coolidge today.
Be sure to join us on our next activity. From the “Home” page, click on “Coming Events” to view our schedule.Click on the thumbnail for a larger view
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