More than a dozen types of aircraft, from a 416-pound Micro Jet to an A-26C Invader, the only airplane used in three separate wars, delighted visitors and inspired future pilots during Wilmington International Airport’s second annual Aviation Day Oct. 10.
Despite the overcast weather, hundreds came to the airport throughout the day to admire the grounded aircraft of all sizes.
“We can’t do airshows anymore because it interferes too much with the air traffic,” event organizer Gary Taylor said. “But we wanted to get the community to come talk about aviation and look at aviation.”
The crowd was a mix of all ages. Young children gazed up at the powerful planes and seasoned pilots peered down into the cockpits, reminiscing about what it was like to be at the controls.
Most of the planes on display were flown in wars. The A-26C Invader was built in 1945 and, with its eight machine guns in the wings and eight more in the nose, it was used in more than 300 combat missions.
Despite their age, the vintage planes can still be flown regularly, said Bill Messer, one of the Invader’s crew. That particular aircraft hasn’t flown lately, Messer said, because “the human parts — our parts — are starting to wear out.”
The plane’s captain, George Lancaster, last flew the plane two years ago before undergoing open-heart surgery. He still starts the engine up every six weeks to keep the plane functioning, and he hopes one day to lift off again.
“It’s powerful,” Lancaster said. “It’s one of the fastest piston airplanes around. It’s a lot of fun to fly.”
Children were invited to tour the interior of the Invader and ride in the ILM fire truck while it blasted out plumes of water onto the runway. Nearby, a Wilmington Police Department bomb squad robot — a device normally used to disable explosive devices and diffuse hostage situations — entertained a circle of kids with Disney songs.
It’s more important than ever to stir children’s interest in aviation, Taylor said, because there’s currently a shortage of pilots. For that reason, Aviation Day also highlighted several local programs, like Cape Fear Community College’s ground aviation school and the Civil Air Patrol, that teach aviation skills.
In Civil Air Patrol, teenagers aged 12 to 18 learn character development and aviation.
CAP captain Chris Purvis said “it’s similar to Boy Scouts,” except participants also complete five flights at the controls of a Glider aircraft with an instructor alongside.
Some teenagers, like cadet commander Madison Paxton, enter the program to gain leadership skills and confidence. Others want to get a head start on a career in aviation.
“I flew a plane for the first time when I was in Civil Air Patrol as a kid,” Purvis said. “Then I went and joined the Air Force, and I did that for 15 years.”
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