***** June 1, 2024 *****

EAA Chapter 501 held its 31st Fly-In on June 1st,
returning to Lincoln Park Airport (N07)
for the first time in many years.


CLICK to see the Fly-In poster.

Reprinted from Chapter 501's June 2024 Propwash newsletter.

Steve Vail said it just right... “It was a great Chapter picnic, but just barely a fly-in!”

Our last Fly-In was June 5, 2021 when we were at Warwick Aerodrome. We planned and prepared for hosting our event at Lincoln Park Airport in 2022 and 2023. We got rained out twice.

Finally, on June 1, 2024 the weather Gods gave us a beautiful, clear, calm day.

The first aircraft to land and park on the grass on the west side of Runway 1/18 were our members Pete Nancoz with his Cessna 172N, and then the Cessna 182H of our President, Matt Lamm, who brought six year old Strider along to help oversee our event.

Then we waited and waited.

On a beautiful day for flying, we parked and registered only four aircraft, two of which were based at N07. Only one of our visitors wanted to sign up for judging to win a trophy. Where’d everybody go? Our Fly-In flyer got wide distribution, along with an EAA Chapter Blast. Could it be that aviators were home catching up on springtime chores after we all had endured several weekends of rain?

Our “Best Antique/Classic” trophy winner was Jim Kahle, 1947 PA-11 Cub Special, who had planned on June 1st to fly from his Sky Manor base up to Old Orchard Airpark (2NK9) to compete in a spot landing (STOL) contest. But he was bucking headwinds aloft so he landed at his second choice, Chapter 501's N07 Fly-In, and feasted with EAA Chapter 501 members. Jim had to depart early so Steve will be USPS mailing the trophy to Jim.

For lunch, Chapter 501's culinary expert Nick Anzano prepared it for us in advance using his own recipe of pulled pork for hot sandwiches. At our base of operations in the shade under the canopy he heated the pulled pork in Sterno fired chafing pans. The delicious sandwiches were served on brioche buns. Nobody went home hungry! Tom Barthmus set up our audio system so we could be entertained with music while we feasted.

We were treated to a close up look at the Baby Ace, now owned by Allen Dunn and Steve Vail. It is currently in a nearby hangar, temporarily made available for Allen and Steve to finish its restoration and get it flying. Steve taxied it to our base of operations to have it on display. (CLICK to see a short video of Steve taxiing their Baby Ace back to its hangar after the Fly-In was over.)

Thanks to the help of airport manager Tom Van Wingerden, starting with his clearance to host our Fly-In at N07, our base of operations and aircraft parking included freshly mown grass and access to electric outlets, and a Port-a-Jon. Tom also generously allows Chapter 501 to stow our gear in the back of the hangar adjacent to Aero Safety Training, making it easier for us to function at our Young Eagles events, monthly meetings, and the Fly-In.

501's hard-working Chapter 501 members present on June 1st to help set up, run, have fun, and break down the Fly-In event included Nick Anzano, Tom and Rowen Barthmus, Allen and Bryant Dunn, Mike Dzurny, Mike Garcia, Anthony Gerst, Barry Inglett, Dave Jones, Nick Kapotes, Matt and Strider Lamm, Jim Mancini, Bob Menier, Reva Mathankar, Pete Nancoz, Mike Peters, Don Provost, Ron Reinartz, Andy Rivers, Stan Sherrard, Steve Vail and Beck Youngberg.

These Photos taken by Don Provost, Steve Vail and Rowen Barthmus.
























































































Photos taken by Don Provost, Steve Vail and Rowen Barthmus.