Experimental aircraft to take Vidalia skies today

By Vershal Hogan (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, May 2, 2009

VIDALIA — If it seems like there are more airplanes in the air around Vidalia today, it’s because there are.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Experimental Aircraft Association’s local chapter — chapter 910 — will host an experimental aircraft fly-in at the Concordia Parish Airport.

“Experimental aircraft are home-built from a kit,” EAA Chapter 910 President Donna Maroon said. “They have to be checked out.”

The Concordia fly-in is one of a number of fly-ins across the state, and pilots who participate are given a number of points for each fly-in they do, Maroon said.

At the end of the year, the pilots with the most points are given prizes.

But the main point of the experimental aircraft fly-in is to gain public visibility.

“The purpose of the fly-in is to bring awareness to the public of small plane aviation, and maybe people will get an interest in it,” Maroon said.

Concordia Parish Airport Authority member Jerry Stallings encouraged anyone who has never come to a fly-in before to attend.

“If you have never seen any (experimental aircraft) before, you will be amazed,” Stallings said. “They are prettier than the factory planes and they perform better than the factory planes.”

Concordia Parish Airport Authority Chair Carl Sayers said he enjoys the camaraderie of the event every year.

“You can walk around and look at the airplanes and inside the airplanes,” Sayers said. “The pilots normally encourage the public to take a look at the airplanes they have built.”

Though it will depend on the weather and the pilots, pilots at the fly-in may be offering rides as part of the Young Eagles program, which is aimed at getting youth age 12 to 17 interested in aviation, Maroon said.

The event is free and open to the public.