Polson Fly-In meets soaring expectations

POLSON — It wasn’t hard to find the Fly-In held at the Polson airport last Saturday. One just had to follow the source of roaring engines as low-flying planes spent the morning swooping through the skies above town.

Hosted by the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the event is one of several fly-ins held throughout the Mission Valley each year to raise awareness of aviation and its importance to local communities.

“We love for the townspeople to come out and see what’s here,” said experienced local pilot and Fly-In volunteer, Carmine Mowbray.

The 30 or so planes that lined the runway Saturday attracted hordes of wide-eyed aviation buffs of all ages, with over 250 pancake breakfasts being served to attendees, according to Mauri Morin, chapter president of the EAA and principal organizer of the event.

As even a casual glance could attest, Morin said that the planes were every bit as diverse as the crowd.

“It’s a good turnout and there are lots of unique airplanes this year that we usually don’t get,” said Morin.

One plane that commanded instant attention was the World War II-era AT6 owned by Kalispell’s Frank Hale. The gleaming yellow plane had formerly served the Royal Canadian Air Force before coming into Hale’s hands and undergoing careful renovation and upkeep.

Alongside the AT6 was the black and orange 1928 Travel Air owned by Hank Galpin - a centerpiece of last year’s exhibition. Back by popular demand, the plane once again took a few lucky thrillseekers for rides circling the valley.

More atypical planes included that belonging to Bob Alm of Kalispell. Just a truss of fuselage with a couple seats perched on top, one look at the bare-bones skeleton of Alm’s flying machine lets you know why he has earned the nickname “Breezy Bob.”

Alm has flown his open-air plane to every state in the lower 48, including a pilgrimmage to Kitty Hawk several years back.

“It’s built for fun,” said Alm while sharing pictures of his aerial exploits. One image taken from the wing of his plane shows him passing the World Trade Center in New York City in the 1990s.

“That was scary,” Alm said. “Lotta concrete there.”