FLY-IN FOR BREAKFAST AND MORE

FLIGHT PLANNING

It is never to soon to plan your trip to Everglades City; anytime is the right time, but there are always a number of special times. For example, every month Chuck Gretske of Wings AeroTours hosts a free fly-in pancake breakfast complete with lots of flapjacks, coffee, sausages, gossip and critique of your landing by all those experts on the observation deck. Don't forget to check with Chuck for the next month's pancake date.

In February the date certain is the 18th when the Antique Air Aficionados will hold their annual event. This is always a great opportunity to show off your classic and to talk with other pilots about their pride and joy. You can check the website listed below or call Bob Tweedie, Airport Manager at 394-3355, Chuck Gretske 695-3296; Mike 695-2224 or 784-1892; Mike Klein 695-0595; all in area code 239.

Everglades Antique Air Aficionados Fly-In

The first commercial airline carried passengers from St Pete to Tampa in 1914, only 11 years after the Wright Brothers first flew! And, in 1923, the Ta-Miami Air Line started operations between Tampa and Miami, in the same year that construction of the road was begun across the Glades.

Air history goes on. In 1930s Opa-Locka was opened as a Naval air base; Eastern and Pan Am were founded. Newspapers were flown to Sanibel by seaplane in the 1939 “Dawn Patrol”. World War II training bases sprang up in Southwest Florida’s clement climate at Fort Myers, Buckingham, Clewiston, and Naples.

Bring back the old warriors and dare-devils!That’s exactly what the Antique Air Aficionados will do on Saturday, February 18, when Everglades City Airpark hosts a Fly-In . There is no charge. Just arrive at Airfield X01 on the edge of the Everglades. You will be welcomed with a free pancake breakfast, courtesy of Wings 10,000 Island Tours, and a chance to win 5 lbs. of stone crab claws, the local delicacy generously donated by Triad Seafood Market & Cafe in Everglades City. Everyone is invited. Drop in by air, road, or sea and share your memories of vintage flying.

The event is being promoted by the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation. For more information, see their website www.evergladeshistorical.org .