Staff Reports
Aviation Day returns to the Columbus Municipal Airport for the fourth time from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, featuring an air show, pancake breakfast, airplane rides and children’s activities.
This year’s free-admission event celebrates the 75th anniversary of Bakalar Air Force Base in Columbus. It will also highlight the 25th anniversary of the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum.
An estimated 5,000 people are expected to attend Aviation Day, designed to highlight all aspects of aviation, airport director Brian Payne said.
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There are plenty of opportunities for visitors to take flight themselves.
Young Eagle Flights will provide free airplane rides to children ages 8 to 17 through the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Waldo Wright’s Flying Service will provide 15- to 20-minute aircraft rides with its airplane, known as the New Standard D-25, which can hold a maximum of four individuals, at $75 per person.
JeffAir, the airport’s fixed-base operator, will take passengers aboard its three-person Cessna 172 aircraft for $35 a person.
Two air shows, scheduled at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., will feature airplane acrobatic acts by the Vanguard Squadron and pilots Vlado Lenoch and Bob Richards.
New to this year’s event will be a car show, the Bakalar Cruise-In, which will be open to various vehicle makes and models. Cost to enter the show is $10 per person, which can be paid the day of the event, with awards being given out in the afternoon.
Aviation Day visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating.
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Aviation Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 10 at the Columbus Municipal Airport, 4770 Ray Boll Boulevard. The event is free.
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