Republic file photo The Columbus Indiana Huey Bell UH1-Iroquois helicopter is shown.
One week after its Bell UH1-Iroquois was televised nationwide as part of the Sonsio Grand Prix coverage in Indianapolis, the group called Columbus Indiana Huey Inc. will host an open house for the public this weekend.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the group’s hangar, located at 2045 Taxiway Drive in the Columbus Municipal Airport. Helicopter rides will be offered until they run out of passengers, according to the club’s social media page.
Due to federal regulations, the organization is prohibited from selling rides to the general public on the vintage helicopter, organization director and helicopter owner Jim Ogilvie said.
Instead, the Columbus, Indiana Huey sells one-year memberships to adults for $100 and $50 for children 12 and under. An immediate benefit of becoming a member is a free helicopter ride, Ogilvie said.
It costs about $1,500 an hour to fly the Huey when all expenses (gasoline, maintenance, new parts, land rental for the hangar, etc.) are considered, Ogilvie said.
Columbus Indiana Huey Inc. is a nonprofit made up of veterans and civilian volunteers who strive to preserve the classic military flying machines. Their mission is also to educate residents on the significant roles the UH1-H helicopters played during the Vietnam War.
The Pig & Tasty food truck, with smoked pulled pork, will be at the open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Ladies for Liberty, who will perform popular music from the World War II era up through the 1960s. There will also be a silent auction to raise money for the nonprofit.
In regard to his Bell UH1-Iroquois being featured during the May 11 Grand Prix in Indianapolis, Ogilvie said he had no idea his helicopter would receive national recognition earlier in the week, he said.
It wasn’t until May 9 when the organization director received a call from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway official, informing his that the Air Force had to cancel their scheduled pre-race flyover, Ogilvie said. When asked if he would serve as a last-minute replacement with his Huey, Ogilvie agreed.
While the helicopter was seen by several thousand people in person, as well as an estimated television audience of 740,000, Ogilvie did not get to enjoy the excitement below him. Instead, the pilot said it took his complete concentration to fly the helicopter.
But after landing, Ogilvie was escorted up to (team owner) Roger Penske’s suite that is located within the 10-floor IMS Padoga.
“We got the run of the suite, free food and everything else,” Ogilvie recalled. “From up there, you can see the entire track.”
The most rewarding thing he does with his vintage helicopter will continue to be performing flyovers at gravesites of veterans as they are laid to rest, he said.
“But we had the most fun at the race,” Ogilvie said. “That was the best exposure we‘ve ever had.”
