All eyes looked to the sky when skydivers floated into Fairfield County Airport during the Wings and Wheels festival on Saturday. | Photos/Martha Ladd
GREENBRIER – “Wings & Wheels was a big success,” declared Fairfield County Airport Director Denise Bryan. “Our volunteer organizations were great.”
Now Bryan is planning to build on her success by reaching out to more transient pilots to participate next year.
Transient pilots from the surrounding area, like Tree Top Flyer, Larry Mawer and Jimmy Murphy, flew in with their private planes and spent the day on the tarmac sharing their enthusiasm for flying.
Mawer, from the JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Radio Service) program, which provided rides on both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, said he had roughly 25 more people flying this year than last.
“They were non-stop all day,” he said. Mawer recalled one little boy who was impatiently waiting for the flip chart to indicate his turn had come up. When it did, he shouted, “I won! I won!” and promptly scrambled onto the helicopter.
Estimates by the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office put the crowd at about 700-800. Susan Yenner, with the Fairfield Chamber, reported an enthusiastic response from those attending.
“The exceptionally good weather and well-run show helped make the day a big success,” Yenner said.
