On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Bryce Canyon Airport will host an open house for a day of history, learning, and fun at the second annual Fly-In and Airport Appreciation Day. Three restored warplanes will join other aircraft landing at the airport. The public is invited to view the Beech T-34 Mentor, a Chinese Nanchang CJ-6A, and a North American T-6 Texan and talk with the pilots.
“My aircraft has been restored and is painted in honor of No. 133 Eagle Squadron based at Biggin Hill in 1942,” said pilot Todd McCutchan about his Beech T-34. “The T-34 served with the U.S. Military as a primary trainer for more than 60 years.”
The warplanes will complement the Bryce Canyon Airport’s own unique history. Built in 1934, the Bryce Canyon Airport hangar’s rustic ponderosa pine logs and gabled roof have made it an iconic fixture of the area’s landscape, earning the airport a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It’s exciting to welcome new visitors and local residents to our landmark airport,” said Bryce Canyon Airport assistant manager Tye Ramsay. “From warplanes and classic cars to the free lunch and prizes, we’ve planned a day full of fun for families to enjoy.”
For the fly-in portion of Airport Appreciation Day, pilots are invited to land their planes at the airport for free and take a shuttle to Bryce Canyon National Park.
“One of the great things about our airport is its proximity to the national park,” said Falyn Owens, executive director of the Garfield County Tourism Office. “Once pilots land, they are just a few minutes away from experiencing the red rock hoodoos of Bryce Canyon.”
A free barbecue lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs will be offered at the Airport Appreciation Day open house. From 1 to 3 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy the lunch and explore and learn more about the Bryce Canyon Airport.
Activities also include prize drawings, giveaways, and an antique car show with awards given to the best car in each division: classic to 1960; 1961 to 1990; and 1991 to modern. Local Boy Scouts will be able to earn their aviation merit badges from the airport’s ground-school pilot.
Pilots interested in attending the fly-in can register by calling the Bryce Canyon Airport at (435) 834-5239. The event is open to all aircraft. Preregistered aircraft will receive a 30-cent-per-gallon fuel discount.
