Greenville Seaplane Fly-in
GREENVILLE SEAPLANE FLY-IN
41st Annual International Seaplane Fly-In Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 4
1 p.m. Registration begins at Stobie Seaplane Base. One shuttle van will be running starting at 1 p.m. for pilots who have flown in
5:30 p.m. Registration will be moved to the Katahdin parking lot
6-9 p.m. Katahdin Buffet and Sunset Cruise with entertainment by John Brown (formerly of Cabbage Patch fame) Reservations for the buffet/cruise can be made ONLY through the fly-in.
Friday, Sept. 5
8 a.m. Registration starts at Stobie Seaplane Base and runs through late afternoon. Shuttle vans will be running for pilots who have flown in. Exhibitors will set up at Stobie Seaplane Base. There will be a poker run and it’s a good day for pilots and guests to enjoy the beauty of the Moosehead Lake region.
6 p.m. Steak and lobster cook-out at Greenville Municipal Airport.
Saturday, Sept. 6
7-9 a.m. Public breakfast at the Masonic temple, Pritham Avenue; shuttle. Vans will be running.
TBA: Pilot’s Meeting will be held. Check fly-in headquarters for details
10 a.m. Organized fly-bys and contests at the Greenville Municipal Airport and seaplane base; craft fair in downtown Greenville.
6 p.m. Banquet at Greenville Municipal Airport
Sunday, Sept. 7
7-9 a.m. Public breakfast at the American Legion Hall, Pritham Avenue
TBA Seaplane Pilots’ Association breakfast meeting on the “Kate”
10 a.m. Completion of contests not done on Saturday
12-1 p.m. Winner of the 50/50 raffle will be drawn; craft fair continues in downtown Greenville
Prices
Registration bag, which includes copy of the annual guide and other goodies: $25
Thursday evening Katahdin Cruise/Buffet/Entertainment: $55
Friday Lobster/Steak Cookout: $40
Saturday Banquet and awards: $35
Registration and all meals: $140
Fly-In Headquarters is at 38 Pritham Ave. in downtown Greenville.
Additional Information
The radio frequency for the seaplne base is 123.3 (Fly-In week only) and 122.8 for Greenville Municipal Airport. These can be picked up on most commercial hand-held scanners.
Information on all Fly-In activities is available by calling 695-2928 anytime or by visiting www.seaplanefly-in.org.
For questions about accomodations, lodging, meals or general information about the area, call the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce at 695-2701 or visit www.mooseheadlake.org.
File photo/Mike Lange
BOMBS AWAY — A Maine Forest Service UH-1 helicopter demonstrated water bombing at the Fly-In, a firefighting method used in remote areas. Pilots have to scoop the water up in the bucket and release it over a targeted area.
File photo/Mike Lange
BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE — The ledge at Stobie Seaplane Base is an ideal location to photograph action at the Fly-In.
File photo/Mike Lange
WATCHING THE ACTION — Crowds gathered early at Stobie Seaplane Base at the 2013 Fly-In to watch the International Seaplane Fly-In contests.
Seaplane Fly-In brings planes and people to town
GREENVILLE — Pilots from across the country and Canada are expected to attend the popular International Seaplane Fly-In from Sept. 4-7 in Greenville, which also draws some of the biggest crowds of the summer season to the Moosehead Lake region.
The annual event, which allows pilots to test their flying skills against others and learn about the latest products in the aircraft industry, often draws some unique aircraft to this tourist community as well.
The International Seaplane Fly-In got its start in 1973 when Greenville was but a speck on the world map and a few bush pilots made a living flying sportsmen in and out of this remote area. Very few roads existed at the time.
It was during some down time on a wintry day when a few Greenville pilots thought it might be a good time to invite like-minded pilots to the area for a weekend of fun and flying.
A tradition was born when David Quam (a past-president of the Seaplane Pilots Association), Duane Lander, Telford Allen, Chip Taylor, Dick Folsom and Charlie Coe — truly one of the last of the late, great bush pilots — got the first Fly-In off the ground. It turned out to be a great success. Pilots from around the country started making it an annual run.
By 1995, International Seaplane Fly-In became a non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to promote fellowship, personal contact, and unification among seaplane pilots, and recreational and competitive events, including at least one annual fly-in.
Today, besides the Cessnas, Cubs and Beavers, some spectacular examples of rare planes make a showing. Those have included a traditional 1944 Grumman Goose. It is not unusual to see a Caravan or two, as well as many classic and experimental seaplanes.
The design and diversity of these beauties, combined with the knowledge of the pilots flying them, make a tremendous weekend for the flying enthusiast.
Admission to the Fly-In is free, but parking spaces are hard to come by in downtown Greenville during the event weekend. Spectators often park their cars at the municipal airport where shuttle service is available to and from the site.