BETHEL — Inclement weather forecast for this weekend and next has bumped Sunday’s second annual Fall Foliage Community Event air show into a holding pattern at Bethel Regional Airport.
The show, which provides an opportunity to promote general aviation and the airport through scenic flights offered to the public, was originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16. Sunday, Oct. 17 was the rain date.
However, a storm packing heavy rain and strong wind gusts that is expected to soak the area Thursday night and linger into Sunday, prompted organizers on Thursday to wait for better weather.
“We expect to make a decision early next week as to when the event will take place,” airport Coordinator and Assistant Manager Tony Milligan said by e-mail Thursday afternoon.
“Next weekend is questionable right now due to rain and wind, too.”
“The decision to postpone was a hard one to make, but the right decision in the interest of public safety and comfort,” he said.
“We truly want a nice day to offer scenic rides so people will enjoy themselves and remember it for a lifetime.”
Sunday’s show was to feature scenic airplane rides in four different aircraft: two Cessna 172 planes, three Cessna 182 planes, a Cessna 170, and a Husky Amphibious plane.
Milligan said volunteer pilots donate their aircraft, time and skills to provide 10- to 15-minute rides.
To cover operating costs, volunteers coordinating the trips ask the public for a minimum $20 per person donation for the flights.
The scenic rides, which are the highlight of the air show, “offer the public the opportunity to experience the joy of flight and see the area, and perhaps their home from the air,” Milligan said.
“Last year, the event was a huge success and we had an estimated 200 people in attendance,” Milligan said. “Scenic rides were being offered to excited people all day, some of whom had never flown before and loved it.”
Ordinarily, hiring a commercial pilot and plane at an airport for a scenic flight would cost nearly $100 or more, he said.
“Once a year, we get together to share our love of general aviation and provide an opportunity to the public for an airplane ride that is affordable and for a good cause,” Milligan said.
All proceeds directly benefit the airport’s event fund, making future events self-sufficient so tax dollars aren’t required for funding, he said.
For the latest update on the show, people are asked to call the airport information line at 824-3100.
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