TUOLUMNE COUNTY - ANNUAL FATHER'S DAY FLY-IN
TUOLUMNE COUNTY - ANNUAL FATHER'S DAY FLY-IN
6/17/24: "The 55th edition of the Father’s Day Fly-In was a success and brought thousands of visitors to the Columbia Airport on Saturday.
Tuolumne County Airports Manager Tonya Scheftner reports that around 3,500 people attended, and at least 100 planes were on hand, including many of the show planes that flew in from out of the area.
Organizers note that families walked the airport grounds to admire classic cars and vintage aircraft such as the impressive WWII Stearman Biplanes and Ryan PT-22 trainers. The skies were filled with fly-bys from expert formation pilots in T-36s and T-34s, with a memorable missing man formation salute to fallen soldiers of WWII.
The Father’s Day Fly-in also had at over 70 classic cars on display and 25 vendors.
Dream Flights flew four veterans, two were additionally honored, and five WWII Veterans signed the Stearman’s rudder. In all, they had seven WWII veterans present. Due to the weather, they had to reschedule some of the flights for this fall (a specific date to be determined) and have planned to fly at least sixteen more veterans.
Event Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Traci Williams-O’Neil noted that the veterans were given heartfelt thanks and many hugs. One veteran stated after the flight, “I’ll be talking about this ride for the rest of my life, and I can’t thank you enough.”
There was a significant turnout of volunteer support from both Pine Mountain Lake Airport (PML) and Columbia airports: nine volunteers from PML, including six pilots who participated, and forty-two volunteers from Columbia Airport who helped make the event a success."
Written by BJ Hansen
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Columbia Airport is within walking distance of the historic town of Columbia in the Sierra Nevada foothills at an elevation of 2118 feet. The airport features a lighted 4,650-foot paved runway and a 2,600-foot irrigated turf runway, both well-maintained by the airport staff. Tail wheel aircraft come from neighboring airports to experience the fun and challenge of landing on a real grass runway.
The CalFire Air Attack crews respond to fires throughout the area, providing much-welcomed support for fighting wildfires.
Tuolumne County's Columbia Airport
10723 Airport Rd, Columbia, CA 95310
Follow signage for Father's Day Fly-In entrance & public parking
10723 Airport Road, Columbia, CA 95310
If you are a pilot, or know someone who is, that wants to/can fly for this years event, please do not hesitate to contact us! 209-533-5685
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WEBSITE DONATED BY TUOLUMNE COUNTY RESIDENT GENE KAHN