Rio Creek Airport

Rio Creek Summer

Fly-In and Hangar Dance2005

This year's summer fly-in was held on July 23rd and featured many of the same attractions as past years.  Returning this year were the silent auction, fish boil, polka band, and, of course, airplane rides.  Everyone woke up to an overcast sky but high ceilings.  In the most hot and dry summer in recent years, the chance for rain had increased as the week went on.  We did, however, have a good window for the morning and some of the first airplanes began arriving from around the area.

Three airplanes from Nicolet parked at RCA for the 2005 Summer Fly-In.

Among the first arrivals were the three airplanes pictured above from Nicolet Airport near New Franken.  As has become a summer fly-in tradition, Don J cooked a great breakfast in the morning.  At about 10:30 a.m., the campers began cooking brats and burgers, which were as popular as ever.

Expert grillers preparing the brats at the fly-in.

Two of the most popular airplanes on display were Tom Jeschke's Ragwing Special and Sonex.  Tom's Ragwing is a beautiful little biplane which he finished about four years ago and always catches everyone's eye.  The Sonex is his new project and is under construction, the bright polished aluminum is another eye catcher.

Tom arrives at the fly-in with his Sonex.

At about 9:30 a.m. airplane rides started and riders had their choice of the Ercoupes, a Piper Cherokee, a Piper Pacer, and the always popular Stearman.  Kids had the opportunity to do some crafts during the day while waiting their turn for a ride or while their parents took a walk through the silent auction.

Caitlin and Karlee work on crafts at the fly-in.

The tent for ride tickets was busy this year as it always is.

Another constant at the Rio Creek Fly-In is Duane as our air and ground controller.  He puts in a long day directing traffic and helping people down to the airplanes for rides.  Every now and then we give him a break and let him have a burger, but he is always on the flightline.

Duane directs a Piper Apache off Runway 7 at RCA.

This year we also had a milestone at our fly-in, a twin engine airplane landed at RCA for the first time in at least 15 years.  The Piper Apache had no trouble in or out and although it looked somewhat out of place, compared to what we are used to, it was awesome to see it there.

Even after the rain started, many people stuck around to listen to "Mark Jirikovec & His Orchestra."

More Pictures