If you go:
What: 42nd Annual Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-in
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.
Where: Grimes Field, U.S. 68, north of Urbana
Cost: Tickets are $6 apiece, and children younger than 12 are free if accompanied by an adult
On the web: www.merfi-urbana.webs.com
URBANA — Local organizers only had 45 days to set up the Mid East Regional Fly-in last year, but the event still drew roughly 800 aviation enthusiasts.
With a lot more time to plan this year, organizers said they hope to offer a lot more, and draw a much bigger crowd. The MERFI Fly-in is scheduled to take place at Grimes field beginning this weekend.
Along with traditional and experimental aircraft, the two-day event will include aviation demonstrations, workshops, chances to visit an aviation museum, and for a fee, rides on a B-17 Flying Fortress.
The event will also include several guests, including David Scheff, a retired Senior Master Sergeant who was responsible for maintenance and modifications on Air Force One.
Amanda Wright Lane, a descendent of the Wright Brothers, and J.W. Fornoff, a stunt pilot who worked on several James Bond films, will also attend.
While the MERFI event was originally designed for pilots, organizers are trying to get the public more involved.
“We’re out to at least educate the public on private aviation and what it takes to get into it, and specifically the significance of the Urbana airport and the uniqueness it has to offer,” said Dave Millner, who helped organize the fly-in.
Millner said there should be plenty of activities for children, including rides on the B-17, a visit to the Grimes Flying Lab, an experimental plane that is stores at the air field. Children can also have their photo taken inside a Piper J-3 Cub.
Because there was more time to organize the event this year, Millner said almost every aspect of the event should be improved. Although the Fly-in has been active for more than 40 years, the event only moved to Urbana for the first time last year.
Millner said he’s expecting as many as 400 planes and pilots at the event.
“This year people will see a marked improvement in organization and offerings,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.
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