The plane shown here is one of the aircrafts that will be used to take Wings & Wheels attendees for short flights. Both the aircrafts and pilots that will be used on Saturday are part of JAARS missionary program. They have flown missions in Brazil, the Philippines, Peru, and other places. One of the missionary pilots who will be taking passengers up is preparing to go to Papua, New Guinea in support of JAARS mission to make Bible translation and language development possible, in the most remote and difficult places on earth.
WINNSBORO – Would you like to fly in a fixed wing airplane right over your own back yard? If you live within 3 to 5 nautical miles of the Fairfield County Airport….you can do just that this coming Saturday, May 12 at the 14th Annual Wings & Wheels Air Festival, from 10 am to 3 pm., at the Fairfield County Airport. Or if you prefer a rotor wing helicopter as your transportation, those rides are offered too. Or maybe your choice is to just look skyward and watch skydivers as they parachute out of the blue? And, if you want to keep your attention on terra firma, you can enjoy a close up look at vintage cars, aircraft and even a tank.
Up to 5 people can ride in the fixed wing plane for $25 each. The helicopter rides will take up to 3 adults and are $30 per person. Children must be over 2 and be able to sit alone in a safety belted seat.
There are lots of free opportunities for kids. They can ride in the Little Blue Choo, have their faces painted by Gina Wolfe from Luna Trix Arts, play in the bouncy house and see emergency vehicles and meet members of Fairfield County EMS and Law Enforcement up close and personal.
Airport Director Denise Bryan’s enthusiasm is obvious when she talks about the Air Festival. “This is a community event to let folks know that they have a wonderful airport right here in Fairfield County,” she said. “We are one of only a few general aviation maintenance facilities, avionics facilities, and flight school facilities available. Our runway is the longest general aviation runway I know of in our area at 5243 feet. We are a National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems facility and can support the large airports in our area if there is a problem.”
They have recently upgraded the airport with LED lights and signage. “We are movin’ on up,” Bryan laughed. “This airport offers significant infrastructure building potential as we can provide for corporate planes right here locally.”
LARKS Radio Control Club will be joining the show. Club Instructor Herb Dickerson highlighted a real cross section of aircraft that they plan to exhibit and demo, including a jet and a bi-plane. They’ll also be bringing a drone mounted with a camera to shoot photos from the upside down. Their web site is LARKSRC.com.
Lori Wicker, STEM Director for the Celebrate Freedom Foundation, has indicated CFF will have 2 vehicles and a 1967 AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopter on display at the show.
“The Cruise-In Car Show had about 35 cars last year but they anticipate even more of these vintage cars this year,” said Susan Yenner with the Fairfield Chamber. “There will also be lots of art & craft vendors, food vendors, a DJ and music on hand.”
The festival is sponsored by the Fairfield County Aeronautics Commission and offers free admission and free parking. The airport is located at 1291 Runway Rd. in Winnsboro, SC.
