Spunky Airport Thriving in Spite of Recent Travails

'The little airport that could, and proved it,' told us that in commemoration of 100 years of flight, Plum Island Airfield is holding a fly-in this Saturday and Sunday (September 13-14) from 10am to 5pm.

Antique aircraft, featuring a flying reproduction of the VinFiz, a Wright flyer that was first to fly across the U.S. in 1911, will be on static display. Many vintage model biplanes and monoplanes, as well as warbirds, will be on hand for public viewing.

Skydivers, with their colorful canopies, will be jumping at the field displaying grace and accuracy as they descend from thousands of feet above the airport. Scenic rides in local aircraft with qualified pilots will be available for everyone interested in a tour of the airfield’s unique surroundings. A special centennial display in the Burgess Aviation Museum will be open to the public as well.

A fair-like atmosphere will prevail with activities for children, a flea market/garage sale, antique automobiles, and for a small donation hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages. (Parking for cars is $5.00. For safety and sanitary reasons, no pets will be allowed at the event.)

Plum Island Airfield is a small public-use airport that has historic significance as the birthplace of aviation in New England. Plum Island Community Airfield Inc. (PICA), a non-profit organization with historical and educational purposes, leases the airfield property from the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) and contracts Eagle East Aviation (based at Lawrence Municipal Airport) to operate the facility. Flying lessons and scenic rides are available at the airfield.

FMI: www.plumislandairport.org; www.spnea.org