INTERNATIONAL SEAPLANE FLY-IN
43rd annual International Seaplane Fly-In Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 8
1 p.m. Registration begins at the “old” Folsom’s Hangar on Lower Lincoln Street — now known as Moosehead Aero Marine.
5:30 p.m. Registration will be moved to the Katahdin parking lot.
6-9 p.m. Katahdin Buffet and Sunset Cruise. Reservations for the buffet/cruise can be made ONLY through the Fly-In at 695-6121.
Friday, Sep. 9
8 a.m. Registration starts at Stobie Hangar on Village Street. There will be a poker run taking place all day and it is a good day for pilots and guests to enjoy the beauty of the Moosehead Lake region.
6 p.m. Steak and lobster cook-out at the Moosehead Aero Marine Hangar.
Saturday, Sept. 10
7-9 a.m. Public breakfast at the Masonic Temple, Pritham Avenue (the American Legion will be serving food during the day). A craft fair will be going on throughout Saturday and Sunday in the downtown area. The Moosehead Chamber of Commerce will be running shuttle vans to downtown from Indian Hill and the school.
TBA: Pilot’s meeting will be held. Check fly-in headquarters for details
10 a.m. Organized fly-bys and contests.
6:30 p.m. Awards banquet at Moosehead Aero Marine.
Sunday, Sept. 11
7-9 a.m. Public breakfast at the American Legion Hall, Pritham Avenue.
TBA: Seaplane Pilots’ Association breakfast meeting on the “Kate”.
10 a.m. Completion of contests not done on Saturday.
12-1 p.m. Winner of the 50/50 raffle will be drawn; craft fair continues dowtown
For more information, visit www.seaplanefly-in.org.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
MOOSEHEAD LAKE LANDING — The annual International Seaplane Fly-In draws thousands to the Moosehead Lake region, with the event including various aerial competitions such as take offs, spot landings, bomb drops and two person bush pilot canoe races. The 43rd International Seaplane Fly-In will be held in Greenville on Sept. 8-11.
Seaplane Fly-In brings planes and people to town
GREENVILLE — Pilots from across the country and Canada are expected to attend the popular International Seaplane Fly-In from Sept. 8-11, which also draws some of the biggest crowds of the summer season to the Moosehead Lake region.
The 43rd annual event, which allows pilots to test their flying skills against others and learn about the latest products in the aircraft industry, often draws some unique aircraft to this tourist community as well
The International Seaplane Fly-In got its start in 1973 when Greenville was but a speck on the world map and a few bush pilots made a living flying sportsmen in and out of this remote area. Very few roads existed at the time.
It was during some down time on a wintry day when a few Greenville pilots thought it might be a good time to invite like-minded pilots to the area for a weekend of fun and flying.
A tradition was born when David Quam (a past-president of the Seaplane Pilots Association), Duane Lander, Telford Allen, Chip Taylor, Dick Folsom and Charlie Coe — truly one of the last of the late, great bush pilots — got the first Fly-In off the ground. It turned out to be a great success. Pilots from around the country started making it an annual run.
By 1995, International Seaplane Fly-In became a non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to promote fellowship, personal contact, and unification among seaplane pilots, and recreational and competitive events, including at least one annual fly-in.
Today, besides the Cessnas, Cubs and Beavers, some spectacular examples of rare planes make a showing. Those have included a traditional 1944 Grumman Goose. It is not unusual to see a Caravan or two, as well as many classic and experimental seaplanes.
The design and diversity of these beauties, combined with the knowledge of the pilots flying them, make a tremendous weekend for the flying enthusiast.
Admission to the Fly-In is free, but parking spaces are hard to come by in downtown Greenville during the event weekend. Spectators often park their cars at the municipal airport where shuttle service is available to and from the site.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
PLANE PARKING — A trio of craft are parked on the shores of Moosehead Lake in Greenville during a past International Seaplane Fly-In. This year’s event starts Thursday and runs through Sunday, Sept. 11.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
IT’S NOT A BIRD OR SUPERMAN — Numerous aircraft can be seen and heard flying overhead during the International Seaplane Fly-In.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
FOR VIEWING — The International Seaplane Fly-In provides the public with the opportunity to get a close look at the various aircraft in town for the weekend.
Road race on Saturday morning
GREENVILLE — The Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce’s first annual Dave’s World/U.S. Cellular Fly-In 5K walk/run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8 a.m. The professionally-timed race starts and finishes by the Greenville school and follows beautiful Moosehead Lake on a road course with some mild hills. The first 100 race finishers will receive a Fly-In 5K custom medal.
Proceeds from the road race and all Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce events benefit the region through marketing, programming and community enrichment. For more information, please go to www.mooseheadlake.org or the organization’s Facebook page.