Airport Fun Day Brings Families and Aviators Together at Air Associates of Kansas

By Carmelo Turdo

Airport Fun Day, held Saturday at Johnson County Executive Airport near Olathe, Kansas, brought local families and aviators together to celebrate the miracle of flight in this great Midwest Aviation community.  The annual event, sponsored by Air Associates of Kansas and KC Copters, provided a variety of ways for visitors to experience aviation.  Through the generosity of the event sponsors, introductory lessons were provided in the Cessna Skycatcher and Robinson R22 helicopter to several lucky raffle winners.  Rides in the Skycatcher and the 4-seat Robinson R44 helicopter were given at discounted rates, and the KC Copter simulator was in action as well.  Aircraft of various types were in the air and available on the ramp throughout the day.  Lunch was available for only one dollar, and younger children played in the bounce house.  The Aero Experience was on the ground at Airport Fun Day to visit our sponsor, Air Associates of Kansas, and get to know our new friends at KC Copters.  We  see this type of event as one of the best ways to share the joy of flight with the local community and encourage those considering a career in aviation to take action toward accomplishing that goal.  Special thanks to Tom Cargin of Air Associates of Kansas and Johnny Rowlands of KC Copters, along with their very friendly employees, for making this event a great success.  Here are some views of Airport Fun Day 2013:

Visitors buy raffle and lunch tickets at the entrance

Tom Cargin (AAKS) and Johnny Rowlands (KC Copters) emcee 

Olathe Fire Department Display (more below)

Disney Toy Story bounce house was popular with children



Lunch for a buck - a great deal!



AAKS owner Tom Cargin serves lunch to visitors 

KC Copters helicopter flight simulator

KC Copters R22 and R44 helicopters

KC Copters R22 flight lesson winner takes off

KC Copters R44 gave rides all day

Air Associates Cessna Skycatcher flights

Air Associates Cessna 172 flights

KC Copters owner Johnny Rowlands after demo flight

Cessna TTx and Citation Mustang

Cessna TTx is a new model

 

Cessna Citation Veterans Airlift Command drew a crowd 

Arion Aircraft Lightning LSA  

University of Central Missouri Flight School Cessna 172

Kansas State University Flight School Beech Baron

Classic Ercoupe on approach 

Nanchang China CJ-6 trainer lands

Fairchild PT-19 warbird trainer on approach

A pair of Pitts Specials make a low pass

KC RV Group in formation flight

Beech Nuts formation flight of Bonanzas and Barons 

Air Associates Cessna 182T used in spot landing contest