Airport celebrates 4th of July

Majestic snow-capped mountains were the perfect backdrop for the second Wings & Wheels fly-in and car show hosted by Sisters Eagle Airport.

The cool onset to Fourth of July didn't stop folks as they lined up for the early-bird pancake breakfast cooked up by the Sisters Rotary Club. The grill that whipped up the delicious flapjacks was donated by the Sisters Kiwanis Club.

One of the first fly-in landings on the airstrip was AirLink, in their PC-12. Folks stood by clicking away with their phone cameras as the aircraft made a perfect landing.

More than 40 classic cars and hot-rods lined the asphalt together with special vintage planes. The event brought together an alluring mix of vehicles for hundreds of enthusiasts to eyeball as the roar of small plane engines continued throughout the day.

Jeremy Ast, from Sisters- Camp Sherman RFPD, was on standby just in case of any emergencies.

"We brought our engine and ambulance down to the show; it's always a good idea to have the fire department standing by, and we are here to support a public cause," said Ast.

Around 9:30 a.m., Bend Fire Pipe & Drum marched down the aisle between seats as folks looked on.

Military Parents of Sisters member Carla Merrell took the stage and welcomed the hundreds of folks to the event, "as an occasion to honor our veterans and recruits."

Applause went out to the talented Eckstein girls after perfectly harmonizing the national anthem.

Quilts made with love and hope were on display hanging behind the rented stage for visitors to notice.

"The American Hero Quilts group was born in 2004, and the quilts are made by a dedicated group of about 20 Sisters quilters that have been turning their passion for the craft and their compassion for wounded soldiers into projects that honor those who have sacrificed in conflicts," said Jan Sims, quilter for the group.

"We meet together weekly to make quilts for our wounded heroes. Over the past eight years, we have made a total of 700 quilts."

Veteran Ed Beacham, clockmaker and owner of Beacham's Clock Company in Sisters, went up onstage to ask for all of Sisters veterans to come forward and introduce themselves with their rank and service number from wherever they served. Most of the 40 veterans did, and the spectators cheered.

The enthusiasm lingered on throughout the morning as plane and car enthusiasts mingled, talked to friends, ogled over their favorite aircraft or automobiles.

Rubber chickens were up on the ticket table so folks could see exactly what one aircraft would be dropping on the runway, marked with numbers in a targeted area for the "Chicken Drop" raffle. Raffle prizes were donated by local businesses.

Jack and Grace Walsh stood by their 1935 Ford automobile.

"My grandfather purchased this car in 1943 and used it on his wheat ranch near Arlington, Oregon. He brought it to Salem in 1987 and then it got handed down to me and I restored her in 1991," said Walsh.

Little plane enthusiasts and big folks paid $1 so they could fly and land their own aircraft on the flight simulator provided by ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc.

John Creason, flight instructor, stood by his red, white, and blue Cessna 172 aircraft all morning next to the huge sign reading "Learn to Fly Here."

"This is the classic first plane to learn how to fly in," said Creason. "I've had my instructors' license for over two years."

Teacher and private pilot Jon Renner was on hand to talk about his flight science class at Sisters High School.

"It's an aviation science program offered at Sisters High School. The course is a science elective that runs the entire year, integrating the study of aerodynamics, physics, chemistry, navigation, and meteorology to prepare students to pass the rigorous FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) private pilot written exam."

More than a few small airplanes flew in for the show, including one that was for sale.

"I built this airplane in 2007 from a kit, it's an experimental plane," said Duane Wilson, from Sunriver. "It's a Vans RV-9 A, a two-seat, single-engine aircraft, and it's for sale because I just recently built a four-seater for the entire family to go flying in. My wife's a pilot, too."

Event organizer and airport manager Hobbs Magaret was having a great time with all of the activities going smoothly.

"Everything fell into place and we had a great turnout. Honoring the vets was a highlight," said Magaret.