BARNSTORMERS.COM eFLYER - Sentimental Journey, 2008

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ISSUE 21 - July 2008
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THE SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY TO LOCK HAVEN

By Michael A. Likavec, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Chester, Virginia

The William T. Piper Memorial Airport, home of the annual Sentimental Journey to Lock Haven, home of the original Piper aircraft.

It must have been an exciting time. I can imagine William Piper, Clyde Cessna and the other general aviation pioneers, visiting the factory floor and watching hundreds of new civilian aircraft roll out the door. World War II was over and thousands of airmen were coming home and would want an affordable airplane in which they would crisscross the country. What these aviation greats did not foresee is that few of the returning airmen would be interesting in flying at all. Instead they enrolled in college, bought houses and started families. America had thousands of new civilian airplanes but few buyers.

There is another thing Piper and Cessna probably did not foresee. Sixty years later hundreds of aviators would gather at the Piper Airport in Lock Haven, Pa. to celebrate these great airplanes and the men and women who built them. The painstaking restorations and modern versions of the classics J-3 would no doubt have amazed Mr. Piper and his contemporaries.

Fast forward to June 2008 but the setting is the same. We are at William T. Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven for the 23rd annual Sentimental Journey Fly-in. The field and pattern are swarming with yellow airplanes, in many cases, returning to the place of their birth. Sentimental Journey is not just about Cubs or ever just Piper aircraft. Everyone who loves these vintage airplanes is welcome at this annual event. There are aircraft built by Cessna, Fairchild, Fleet and Taylorcraft. These are not museum pieces on display to be gawked at by passing visitors. These are living airplanes, some traveling a thousand miles or more to take part in the Sentimental Journey. They are powered by everything from 65 horsepower Continentals to giant radials putting out 450 horsepower.

Every aviation event has its own personality. Oshkosh, Sun'nFun, and the many regional events each draw visitors who return year after year to enjoy the community of aviation. The Sentimental Journey has its own feel and spirit that is different than other events. Join us as we walk the grounds at William T. Piper Airport, as we meet some old friends and make some new ones. This is the Sentimental Journey, 2008.

A classic J-3 flown by Duane Goss of Virginia lands at Lock Haven. Goss was one of the many volunteers that makes the Sentimental Journey such a great event.

It is easy to pass the day visiting with old friends under the wing of a Cub or Champ. You can sit down with almost anyone on the field and start talking about airplanes, the weather, or almost anything. Everyone here seems to be part of the family, gathering for a reunion and glad be home.

Although most of the airplanes arriving at Lock Haven did not have radios when they rolled off the production line, almost all are now radio equipped for safety. Clark Allen of Lock Haven mans the unicom providing coordination and advisories for local traffic.

Dave Rodgers briefs volunteers and pilots prior to the flour bombing contest held Friday afternoon.

Sentimental Journey is not just about Piper aircraft. This 1937 Fairchild 24 was a one-of-a-kind welcome visitor at the event.

Although there are hotels and Bed and Breakfast Inns close by, many attendees prefer to camp with their aircraft. There is plenty of camping space but bring your tent and cooler.

The most popular color at the Fly-in was clearly Cub yellow. Everywhere you looked there were Cubs, classic restorations and modern versions of this all time favorite.

Homebuilts were also in evidence at the Sentimental Journey. This is the Hooper GN1 owned by Kenneth Sager.

If there was an award for most daring paint scheme on an airplane the L-16 would be a strong contender.

This immaculate Cessna 196 was flown to Lock Haven by owners Calvin and Valerie Arter of Lakeland, FL.

Two travelers enjoy the day in their 1929 Fleet 2. The Fleet was the oldest aircraft to grace the flightline.

And that is all from Lock Haven for 2008. If you have never made the Sentimental Journey, we urge you to put this one on your aviation schedule for 2009. There are certainly larger fly-ins and air shows, but this is one of the best organized and friendliest events around. Thanks to everyone who made our visit such a pleasure. Fly safe.

Michael A. Likavec, Contributing Editor & Photographer
janmikel@comcast.net

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