Archive for Airport
Candy Bomber to visit
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THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM, the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation’s C-54/R5-D aircraft, will arrive at the Dare County Regional Airport Friday, Dec. 16, and beginning on the 17th the aircraft will be open to the public for children and families to see. On Sunday, Dec. 18, there will be a candy drop for children beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The original mission of this aircraft was during the Berlin airlift. It was the first battle of the Cold War. The divided City of Berlin was surrounded on all sides by Soviet occupied East Germany. In June of 1948, the Soviets, in an attempt to starve out western occupying forces, initiated a blockade of the city. The treaty ending World War II made no provision for the protection of ground transport, but did specify air corridors. The Soviets never bargained for what the allies came up with – a plan to keep a city alive by air.
Over the next 15 months, until September of 1949, aircraft from the allied nations flew over 277,000 missions. Never before in history had a world power used its military might to help rather than to conquer. This unprecedented humanitarian mission cemented the image of the Americans as the “good guys” in the post-war era and it changed the course of history.
Now the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation supports its mission of history education and remembrance by operating the beautifully restored, award winning C-54/R5-D Spirit of Freedom. Being aboard the Spirit allows school children to learn of the importance of this tremendous event in U.S. history. Through interactive displays and memorabilia, the foundation is working to ensure that this momentous event never fades from memory.
This event is for everyone! Other activities throughout the weekend offer families an opportunity to experience The Spirit of Freedom.
Gail S. Halvorsen, Col, USAF (Ret), will do a re-enactment of airlift pilots dropping candy to Berlin children in The Spirit of Freedom. On Sunday, there will be two candy drops: one at 1:30 p.m. for ages six and under and another at 1:45 p.m. for ages seven and up. Then Santa will be available at 2 p.m. for children to visit and have their picture taken (bottom photo). The plane will be open to the public after the drops until 5 p.m. Also, the History Channel will be at the airport to film the event. The Spirit of Freedom will take part in the Wriight brothers fly-over celebration. The plane will be open to the public at the airport after the fly-over from about noon till 5 p.m.
For more information on the event call the Dare County Airport at 475-5570.
Self Portrait Exhibit ongoing
Posted by: | CommentsGlenn Eure is hosting the 16th annual Self Portrait Exhibit May 5-June 25. Participating artists will enter a self-portrait that they “would want to ccompany a biography about their life. Many mediums will be represented, and the portraits can be from any time in the artists’ life.
Awards will be given for one Best in Show – $250; for Excellence – $50 each; and two Honorable Mentions.
Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery is located at 210 E. Driftwood St. in Nags Head (M.P. 10.5 between the highways). (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Competition at airport sticky subject
Posted by: | CommentsAndy Anderson, who owns a large air tour business at the Dare County Regional Airport, spoke to the authority at its monthly meeting Wednesday night about the small tour operators in the terminal, suggesting that the authority consider a policy limiting the number.
His operation has considerable overhead, is open every day year round and offers a wider array of services, he said. ”I don’t know if i should get special treatment,” he added.
George Wood suggested that the board appoint a committee to consider the issue, and this is what the authority decided to do. Jack Shea and George Henderson will make up this group.
The airport engineer reported that the Scarborough Square/cemetery drainage project is almost finished. He said he had asked for a bid on the weir part of this project, and one contractor bid $1,400. He said he expected it to be nearer $1,000. The board authorized him to seek another bid. The board also authorized him to proceed on a required stormwater pollution prevention plan and a spill control plan. Together they will cost a total of $22,460, all of it grant eligible.
Chairman David Harden said he would be the moderator at Wright Brothes Memorial during the flyoveer at the Dec. 17 First Flight celebration.
He also presented a letter from the First Flight Society, which hosts the celebration, requesting the authority to provide hangar space for the three T-28 aircraft which will to fly to Manteo and perform a number of special maneuvers and passes over the memorial. The society also asked for 150 gallons of fuel for each of the aircraft. Since fuel would cost the airport about $1,000, the authority decided to provide hangar space and to sell the fuel at cost.
Robert Benson, airport director, told the authority that there have been bird strikes at the airport, and they would have to mitigate this safety threat.
The authority wound up the meeting with two closed sessions, one for legal issues and the other for personnel.