Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Spartan Executive This image was captured just before the last rays of sunset light faded. The sunset light reflection cuts a light ine through the fuselage. It’s not a wrinkle in the aluminum; it’s light reflection on the polished aluminum plane. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Globe Swift The Globe Swift looks fast just sitting on the ramp. This Swift was taking off late in the day with its tail wheel just off the ground. The light may be fading, but it’s still a beautiful airplane. The Antique Airplane Association fly-in draws aircraft from their bases far and near. Unlike many fly-ins, the AAA fly-in promotes pilots flying during the fly-in, not just to and from. So, it’s not hard to get a ride in some of the nicest antique airplanes flying today. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Fairchild 71 What a perfectly restored Fairchild 71 in the evening light! This Fairchild 71 looks so nice; actually better than new. It’s so nice, I could not fly it for fear I might put a scuff on it. The interior looks brand new. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Stearman Model 4E The AAA Fly-in in Blakesburg IA always brings beautiful weather; usually 70s & sunny. This Stearman, painted in US Mail airmail colors, is just one of hundreds of beautifully restored antique aircraft attending the fly-in. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Waco YKC Early evening light makes a deep color shade on this Waco image. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Perth Amboy Bird CK This beautiful Perth Amboy Bird CK flew at the Annual Antique Airplane Association Fly-in in Blakesburg, IA. Only 50 Perth Amboy Bird CK aircraft were built in the 1930s and only four are registered in the USA today. It’s powered by the five cylinder Kinner B-5 radial engine. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | Waco Takeoff This beautiful Waco made several takeoffs and landings on Antique Field the day I was able to attend. Notice the nice the backgrounds on images captured at Antique Field. For the whole story with all images, see Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in | a 7 Image Story The Antique Airplane Association Fly-in is held annually at Antique Airfield (IA27) over the Labor Day weekend. Vintage airplane lovers and owners come together to enjoy beautiful old airplanes including some rare examples like Waco, Spartan, Stearman, Perth Amboy Bird CK, Fairchild, and Swift. Vintage airplanes are on ground display and are flown regularly during the fly-in. In fact, pilots are almost continuously flying their antique airplanes during the day; making the Antique Airfield’s 2,350-foot turf runway, very busy. And, sometimes the pilots will give rides taking you back to the golden age of aviation! The AAA fly-in feels like an old grassroots fly-in from years past. The airplanes are beautifully restored and the people are genuinely friendly. Of course, the photography is as good as it gets.
Soundtrack from the movie Flyboys; a musical score composed by Trevor Rabin & Don Harper.
So, what is the Antique Airplane Association? The AAA was first formed in August of 1953 to “Keep the Antiques Flying”, which remains today as their main interest and primary function. The AAA has over twenty active chapters and a close working relationship with many of the aircraft type clubs, which sometimes use Antique Airfield for fly-ins. The Antique Airplane Association is located at Antique Airfield near Blakesburg, Iowa. Membership is open to anyone interested in antique airplanes; it’s not necessary to be a pilot or an aircraft owner. The Annual Invitational AAA/APM Fly-In and Convention is held every Labor Day Weekend. To attend the fly-in, you must be an AAA member or join when you register at the fly-in. See the Antique Aircraft Association site for more information on this grass roots fly-in.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Back to Blakesburg AAA Fly-in.
Click any image below for a slide show!
