With the days getting a bit longer, and a bit warmer, we are starting to see more visitors to 3W5. Earlier this month a group of pilots from the EAA chapter in Bellingham flew in (and drove in) for a visit. Chapter 404 member Kerry Sim sent in some photos from the visit, which he says was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended, especially the ones who got to go for a ride in the Fairchild 24.
Below are the pictures and some notes from Kerry about the visit.
Sunday, April 18, 2010 turned out to be a lovely, perfect, warm, spring day…a single serendipitous aviatoin day sandwiched between two Pacific Northwest frontal weather systems. On that day, five airplanes and three automobiles containing members of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 404 Bellingham, WA descended upon The Skagit Aero Education Museum, ready to explore the treasures hidden in the hangars there.
The Museum, located at Concrete Municipal Airport (3W5) Concrete WA, had been chosen as the Chapter’s destination for their first event of the 2010 flying season, a “Fly-Out” to welcome the coming Spring, to celebrate the ending of the TFR surrounding the Vancouver Olympics, and to breathe a sigh of relief at the passing of April 15 Tax Day.
Jim Jenkins, museum manager, started the day with a fly past in the Museum’s beautiful Fairchild 24. Then Jim gathered the visitors together and proceeded with a tour of the hangars, starting with the ex-US Navy 1942 Grumman Widgeon which is in the early stages of restoration, and progressing to Number 3 hangar for a tour of the showpieces and award winners tucked inside.
The group then moved to the restoration shop to view the very impressive Hall Bulldog project, the Stinson SR-9, and the Pietenpol Sky Scout projects. I feel safe in saying that the restoration projects were of great interest to this group since many of them have built Experimental aircraft, or restored classic aircraft themselves.
After lunch, Jim announced a special drawing for two seats and a ride in the Fairchild 24, an opportunity to experience flight in that 1937 beauty, behind a smooth running radial engine. The winners of the draw, John Mason and Sandi Schoenherr were treated to a view of the majestic Cascades, Mt. Baker, and the Skagit river valley.
Several of the visitors commented that they came away with an appreciation of the time, effort and resources that went into the development and maintenance of the museum, and a heightened recognition of the daily efforts by Jim Jenkins in keeping things running, giving tours, and still managing to keep the many restoration projects moving forward.
EAA Chapter 404 Bellingham thanks Jim and Drew Jenkins for a day of pleasant memories and educational and fulfilling experiences. We will return!
