Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Crowds Thrilled By Pilot's Stunts

By JOHN MILLER

There were doubts.

Plenty of doubts.

In fact, with rain chances predicted at 70 percent for Sunday, there was the possibility the First Annual Gurdon Air Expo may have to be cancelled.

It wasn't.

In fact, it was an unmitigated success as approximately 1,000 people descended on Lowe Field to see four pilots risk their lives in modified aircraft.

Because of this, plans for the Second Annual Gurdon Air Expo have already begun, according to Mary Burns, who directed the event Sunday, Oct. 27.

The weather did play a part in the event, though, as the balloons scheduled were unable to be set up, the radio control groups didn't show because of early-morning fog and the two helicopters slated were not on hand.

But, Andy McCain, Bobby Younkin, Dr. Galen Hutchinson and Doug Watts were there with their planes and thrilled the audience with their death-defying stunts.

At two different times, gentle showers fell on those at Lowe Field, sending many to look for shelter. However, no one left the grounds.

Burns said, according to the National Weather Service, there was only one clear spot in the state during the period between 2-4 p.m. Sunday, and this was Gurdon. "They said there was a 'halo' over Gurdon," she said.

She apologized to the visitors because of the parking situation, but it couldn't be helped because of rains late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. These rains made the field muddy and parking there impossible. These parking problems kept some sponsors from getting into the show, and for this, Burns apologized.

The weather situation forced the schedule to be changed drastically, but the crowd didn't seem to mind when everything started a little late.

The VooDoo Cowboys began playing around 1 o'clock, keeping the audience entertained.

Shortly after 2 p.m., the expo was officially dedicated by Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith, who presented a plaque to the family of Doug Osburn, a local pilot killed in a plane crash.

This was followed by the Gurdon Airport Commission being recognized and the air show.

McCain was up first putting his plane through its paces, stunning the crowd with his antics in the air.

Then came Doug Watts with his Forbes Cobra. When his plane's engine stalled during inverted (upside down) flight, there were gasps from the throng who seemed to anticipate a crash which didn't happen.

As Watts completed his act, McCain, who was still airborne, performed a dead-stick routine. This meant he did aerobatic stunts with the engine shut off, landing the plane perfectly and coasting to its arranged parking spot on the runway.

There was a short break after this as Dr. Hutchinson flew from Arkadelphia in his Pitts Special.

His act was the perfect appetizer for Younkin and his Wolf-Samson which followed.

Younkin put the Samson through a rigorous routine, snipping a ribbon in two less than 20 feet off the ground.

Younkin's act began with a 360 degree roll shortly after takeoff. He kept those on hand on edge with his loops, rolls and turns.

"We did good," Burns said. "We cleared $3,500. It was a complete success."

"I apologize for the parking, but it was something we couldn't control. The field was wet and we had to do a lot off the cuff."

She thanked Johnny and Rhea Calley for the use of their cabin for the pilots, and praised the 4-H Club for its efforts with the event as well. The Gurdon Police Department was also lauded, as was Mike Fisher, who worked traffic control, Dana Mason, who provided emergency assistance and information, Vicki Plasek, who pitched in at the gate when others didn't show and had special thanks for Rick and Tambra Smith, along with Robert Burns, for the work they did with the expo. Praise was also bestowed on the Gurdon Fire Department and Caddo Valley Rescue Unit. Kudos also went to Mac McFarland, with the Federal Aviation Administration, and his wife, Dixie, who praised the expo and air show.

Because of the expo's success, Burns said plans are underway for next year's. It, she said, will be held on a Saturday in late September or early October, but not during the weekend of homecoming and the Forest Festival.

"It's just too much for people," she said, "to have homecoming, the Forest Festival and an expo in one weekend.

"Next years will be bigger and better, if the weather cooperates. We learned a lot on what to do and not do."

The money raised from the air show will be used to help with renovations at Lowe Field.