Spring is here and we’re ready for the good weather and fly-in season. The big event of course is the annual North Cascades Vintage Fly-In which will be held July 22-24 this year (with Saturday being the main day). In addition to the big fly-in, we’ll be hosting smaller events each month. These are really just an excuse to get out and fly and hang out with everybody.

Below is our list of dates and themes we’re planning. The themes are simply our way to encourage various airplane types to make the trip, but as is the case with all of our fly-ins, everybody and airplanes of all kinds are welcome.

We’re still putting together the details on some of these, so keep checking back here and/or on the blog to find out more info.

In addition to the events being held at the Concrete Airport/Mears Field (3W5), the museum will also be participating in other fly-ins around the region and beyond. We currently plan on flying some of our aircraft to the Arlington Fly-In July 7-10, the AAA/APM Fly-In in Blakesburg, IA August 31-September 5, and the Hood River Fly-In September 9-11. We may be adding more dates as the summer arrives.

Here is the schedule events for 3W5 (subject to change):

May 21, 2011 – Taildragger Pancake Breakfast

We’re kicking off this year’s fly-in season with a pancake breakfast the weekend before Memorial Day. We’ll have many of our taildraggers out of the hangars and in the air and we encourage others to make the trip to 3W5 as well. We’ll be handing out door prizes to the newest and oldest taildraggers that make the trip as well as the one that flew the furthest.

Pancakes will be served from 9-11am.

June 25, 2011 – NW Super Cub Fly-In / Tube and Fabric Piper Fly-In

Last year the NW Super Cub Fly-In changed venues and visited 3W5 and everybody had a great time. They plan on coming back here again this year and will once again hold the short take off and landing contest on the grass. Using the PA-18 as the starting point, we want to host a tube and fabric Piper fly-in the same day. It will be a great chance for the vintage Piper Cubs, Colts, Pacers and others to visit, watch and/or participate in the competition.

July 22-24, 2011 – Concrete North Cascades Vintage Fly-In

The Concrete North Cascades Vintage Fly-In (formerly known as the Concrete Old Fashioned Fly-In) will be taking place July 22-24 this year. We’re excited to host another fantastic fly-in and have several special aircraft already scheduled to attend. Early arrivals will fly in on Friday, with breakfast on Saturday morning from 7-11am kicking off the festivities for the weekend.

Everybody is invited to this annual event at the Concrete Airport. And of course we especially encourage those of you interested in flying in with your vintage and antique aircraft. Please contact us with any questions regarding the fly-in.

This year’s featured aircraft will be the Stinson. Several significant Stinsons will be flying in for the weekend including the award winning Model O replica. We also expect several Detroiters and other historic Stinson aircraft.

This year’s speakers will be Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles Lindbergh and pilot Tom Casey. Lindbergh will talk about the both the history and future of aviation touching on everything from flying across the Atlantic to electric aircraft. Casey will speak about his around the world flight in a Cessna 206, on floats!

There will be airplane and helicopter rides available and several flight demonstrations throughout the day. We hope to get the hot air balloon operating this year. And we are putting together plans for some other flying activities open to all pilots, and will fill you in as soon as we work out the details. Pictures and details from last year’s fly-in can be seen here, and the 2009 fly-in can be seen here

September 17, 2011 – Corn Boil and Chili Feed Open Cockpit Day

This is our annual fall event and is always a good chance to get out and fly before the weather turns towards cold and blustery. Every year we get a good turnout of interesting airplanes and we encourage everybody (especially if you have an open cockpit airplane) to make the trip for lunch on the lawn.