Written By Jeffrey Roth
For the past 21 years, ultra-light and sports pilots from Maryland, Pennsylvania and other states have flown into a grass runway strip in southern York County, just a few miles from the Mason-Dixon Line.
Last year, poor visibility and a rain-soaked, muddy grass runway at Footlight Ranch in Wellsville, PA, resulted in the cancellation of flying activities, but organizers hope that this year’s event, scheduled for Friday, June 18, through Sunday, June 20, will be blessed with blue skies, fair winds and solid ground for good landings. A number of pilots hail from Carroll County and nearby locations in Maryland, said Jerry Rosie, a spokesperson for the annual event.
“Attendance, of course, depends greatly on the weather,” Rosie said. “But with some decent weather we can expect in the neighborhood of 150 airplanes of all types. We have had folks from as far north as Maine, as far south as South Carolina and as far west as Iowa and parts in between.”
John Shreve, owner of the ranch, started the event in 1989, after being approached by members of the Mason-Dixon Sports Flyers, who were looking for a place to hold the fly-in. Shreve immediately volunteered his private airstrip.
“I said do it here,” said Shreve, a WW II veteran and retired Martin Aviation employee. “It was better here because of the accommodations. It’s worked out pretty well.”
Zachary Chattler of the Westminster Chapter 1384 of the EAA, said his group held a Father’s Day fly-in last year, but decided not to hold one this year. The chapter, he said, brings together Carroll County aviators; many of whom hold sports pilot licenses. A sports pilot license take less time to obtain and costs less than a general aviation license.
Those interested in learning more about the EAA chapter or about flying, the EAA or the sports pilot license are encouraged to attend a chapter meeting, Chattler said. For more information on EAA Chapter 1384, visit carrollcountyregionalairport.com.
Bernie White, owner of an ultra-light Hurricane 103, has been flying for about two years. He is based at Shoestring Airport, about three miles south of Shrewsbury, which serves as the base for the Mason-Dixon Sports Flyers. White, who plans to the attend the Father’s Day fly-in, said he learned to fly in a “wheels up solo,” without any formal training or flight school and has been flying ever since. A pilot’s license is not required to fly ultra-lights weighing less than 250 pounds.
In addition to the Mason-Dixon Sports Flyers, The Capital Area Light Flyers are also involved in the event. Don Wulfinghoff said the CALF Club was formed in 1981, to bring together people interested in hang gliding and ultralight aircraft. The club boasts about 150 members.
“Our members come from a five-state area surrounding Washington, DC, with the majority of members located within a 50-mile radius of the White House,” said Wulfinghoff, a spokesperson for CALF. “We fly anything and everything from motorized hang gliders (Trikes), gyrocopters, prehistoric and modern ultralights and powered parachutes.”
Rosie said that planes are expected to start arriving about mid-morning on Friday, June 18. Saturday is “the big day with many more arrivals expected, many activities are planned,” Rosie said.
Rosie said welcoming ceremonies will include a drive-by of the of the Pennsylvania Triumph Automobile Club; a sky diver will deliver the flag. Presentation of the Colors by the York Civil Air Patrol Color Guard will begin at noon.
There will be pilot games and competition, beginning at 1 p.m. Rosie said children will be invited to participate in the Bear-from-the-Air games at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., there will be an old fashioned picnic. Raffles and cash bingo games are scheduled as well.
Shreve said many of the pilots bring their families and camp for the weekend. The event is open to the public. There are plenty of opportunities for visitors to view the aircraft and talk with the pilots.
On Sunday, June 20, the event will wind down as pilots take their last flights before leaving for home, Rosie said.
Other aviation events scheduled for Father’s Day weekend, include the third Annual Wings & Wheels Cruise-In, on Saturday, June 19, 9 a.m., to 4 p.m., at the Hagerstown Aircraft Services complex. It will feature vintage cars and trucks, military vehicles and historic aircraft. On Sunday, June 20, 9 a.m., to 4 p.m., the second Annual Aviation Heritage Day, will be held at the same location. It will also feature vintage aircraft in flight and on the air. There will also be a number of Hagerstown-built aircraft on display.
For more information on the Father’s Day Fly-In, visit www.footlightranch.com/masondixon.html; for more information on Wings & Wheels Cruise-In and the Aviation Heritage Day, visit www.hagerstownaviationmuseum.org.
