2011 Waco Reunion in Mount Vernon, Ohio
The WACO Reunions in Mount Vernon, Ohio are starting to be an event that I make it to every year. It’s like an air show, but not really. It’s free, the crowd is reasonable, and the airplanes are outstanding. The difference is that they just fly when they want to. There’s no schedule of events. You can take it in at your leisure over the entire weekend.
Most of these biplanes were built in the 30′s and 40′s, and some are even older. At first glance it’s easy to think that these are just quaint old relics. It wasn’t until I see the intricate framework of one with the skin off that I became impressed. There were hundreds of pieces welded together in a perfect symmetry to form the body and frame. Restoring just the frame takes an enormous amount of skill and knowledge, not to mention money. When you look deeper into these machines and talk to the proud owners, the appreciation grows. Rarely do you see the dedication and love for a machine. Few car and motorcycle enthusiasts come close in passion to what these pilots have for these antique airplanes.
Many of the owners are airline pilots or involved with aviation in their professional lives. One of the WACO owners attending this year is Jeff Skiles, co-pilot in the “Miracle On The Hudson” crash. The WACO club is full of outstanding people like Mr. Skiles. Occasionally you’ll catch one of them telling stories of their flights. It’s entertaining to hear folks with so much enthusiasm telling their tales of the skies.
Here are some photos and video of the Waco Club’s Meet. When you’re done here, check out Scott Olmstead’s photos of the 2011 Mount Vernon, Ohio Waco Club Reunion.
Waco biplanes tethered at Wynkoop Airport.
Waco On Wynkoop Airport's Grass Strip
Biplane wings everywhere as planes line up for takeoff.
Old Waco's propeller spinning.
A Waco cockpit with no modern updates. Some do have modern equipment.
Biplane's radial engine cylinder heads.
Detailed view of radial Waco engine
Biplane landing on grass runway.
Modern airplane sits in hangar while it's ancestors take to the skies.
An old Harley Davidson at the meet.
Because It’s Got a Big Gun. A-10 Fires at a Range
The U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt is an amazing airplane to watch and a welcome sight to anyone receiving it’s support. I remember watching them fire and I wished I had a camera. Here’s the best Air Force video I’ve seen showing an A-10 Thunderbolt firing it’s gun.
Waco 2009 Fly-in at Wynkoop Airport in Mount Vernon, Ohio
The Waco Airplane Club has a fly-in at Mount Vernon, Ohio’s Wynkoop Airport every year. It’s really an enjoyable thing to see if you are into aviation at all. These graceful old airplanes are beautifully restored and they are in their element at Wynkoop’s grass field. You can go to the air museums and walk for hours staring at these planes inside of buildings, but nothing compares to watching these planes and pilots out in the open on a grass field.
The people who own these biplanes are a great bunch of people. The love to talk about their rare hobby and they are a close group of friends. I’ve also met many folks who make parts for these planes. The parts themselves are true works of art. The machining, carpentry, and aircraft engineering is an artform in and of itself.
Here are some photos from today’s visit.
I really liked the paint scheme and color on this Waco Biplane.
See. It’s a WACO, says so on the side.
WACO airplanes still flying. Great to see. So much more interesting than in a museum.
Waco’s lined up at Wynkoop Airport in Knox County, Ohio.
