Havana Airport fly-in         

Airplane rides will be available to all

[June 21, 2007]  HAVANA -- Ultralights, general aviation airplanes and maybe even a flying parachute are expected to visit Havana on June 30 for the fly-in that is being hosted at the Havana Regional Airport.

Hosted by Havana Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1420, pilots and planes are being invited from all over to gather at the airport, which was recently named Airport of the Year by the Illinois Department of Transportation for general aviation airports with runways shorter than 5,500 feet.

The event is also open to the public. Plane rides will be offered at $17 per seat, with free rides offered to Young Eagles.

The Young Eagles program of the Experimental Aircraft Association encourages pilots to give rides to first-time fliers between the ages of 8 and 17 years old.

"We want to expose kids to aviation and give them an opportunity to be inspired. They have a chance to talk to pilots and experience the look, feel and sound of flight," said Mike Perkins, one of the pilots who will be giving rides that day.

For their free flight all kids will need to do is show up with a parent or guardian to sign the paperwork.

The Havana Regional Airport is located six miles south of Havana on Route 97 and one mile west of the highway. It features a 2,235-foot-long smooth sod runway.

There is no charge for admission and parking is free. There will be a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., and lunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For the pilots who attend, there will be gifts for all who register, and special prizes for the oldest pilot, oldest plane, youngest pilot and farthest traveled.

For all those who attend there will be a 50-50 drawing and door prizes.

Havana Regional Port Authority Board members are excited about showing off their award-winning airport.

The selection of Havana was made in part because of the volunteer efforts by area flying enthusiasts to help improve the facility. Board member Scott Williams noted that many, many volunteer hours had been donated.

Nearly a dozen volunteers showed up on a recent weekend to apply a fresh coat of paint to all of the buildings.

Meanwhile, the board itself has been successful in applying for a variety of grants that were also used to improve the facility.

[Text from news release received]