Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Air Expo Plans Are Now Final

By JOHN MILLER

It's now or never for the First Annual Gurdon Air Expo.

The Gurdon Airport Commission met Monday night to discuss its final plans for Sunday's air show.

As it currently stands, there will be at least 10 static displays for visitors to gawk over. These include a vintage World War II AT-6 training plane. In fact, this is the same plane used in the movie "Tuskegee Airmen."

Two helicopters will be on display as well, the Arkansas State Police traffic copter along with a medical helicopter from Baptist, which could be utilized in case of an emergency. There will also be two hot air balloons on hand providing rides.

In addition, the Civil Air Patrol will bring down a plane for display, while members of the CAP will be working the expo.

This doesn't include the gliders, ultralights and homebuilts which are also expected.

According to expo director Mary Burns, officials and staff working the event will be wearing name badges. In the event of an emergency, or if any other problems may arise, visitors can seek these people out for help or information. An information booth will also be on hand, manned by Gurdon Police officer Frank Plasek.

At this point only one thing could go wrong -- bad weather. In the event of rain, the air show will be cancelled, Burns said.

However, believing it won't rain Sunday, Burns and the commission detailed their plans for the weekend event.

The Caddo Valley Volunteer Fire Department's Rescue Unit will be on hand Saturday and Sunday at Lowe Field -- just in case.

In addition, Dana Mason, Malvern Fire Chief, will brief emergency crews on plane crash procedures.

On Sunday, the runway will be officially closed, by being "X'ed" off at both ends.

There will be a safety meeting at 11 a.m., as well as a pilot safety meeting. The Clark County Office of Emergency Services, with director Jim Burns, will direct all ground safety measures.

From noon until 1:20 p.m., there will be live music, provided by VooDoo Cowboys, to entertain the early bird visitors while they look over the exhibits.

This will be interrupted at 1 p.m. by a drawing for a chainsaw and other prizes.

At 1:20, State Rep. Percy Malone will speak. He will be followed by the official memorial ceremony. Burns said the air show is being dedicated in the memory of David Osburn.

While this is going on, the parachute team will be heading toward an altitude of 7,000 feet, while glider pilot Don Morton readies his craft as well.

In the meantime, the Mike Fisher and the radio control clubs will keep the audience entertained with their aerobatic stunts on a smaller scale.

As the national anthem plays and the CAP color guard stands at attention, the chutists will be leaving the safety of their plane heading earthward, carrying an American flag and trailing with red and white smoke.

At the same time, Morton's motorized glider should be reaching its proper altitude and begin his aerobatic act for the crowd's delight.

Once the jumpers have landed and Morton's glider has come to rest, Dr. Galen Hutcheson will have his Pitts on the runway ready for takeoff.

When the former special forces ranger completes his act, Andy McCain will take to the air with his barnstorming performance.

McCain will be followed by Doug Watts in his Forbes F-3 Cobra, which will delight and dazzle the crowd.

After Watts lands, the featured attraction will take to the skies as Bobby Younkin heads heavenward in his Wolf-Samson biplane.

Once Younkin's Samson comes to rest, the show will officially be over. However, the parachute team has expressed an interest in making another jump after the aerobatic acts have concluded.

Visitors are urged to bring their lawn chairs and come early, unless it rains. However, if Mother Nature allows good weather for the show, the acts will last two hours, hence the need for lawn chairs.

But safety of the pilots, their planes and the audience is first and foremost in the minds of Burns and the commission.

There will be one or two ambulances on hand for emergencies, along with Medflight from Baptist and St. Joseph's emergency room on wheels for triage.

There will be cordons for where the visitors can and cannot go for their safety, and the safety of others.

Because of daylight savings time, which starts much too early Sunday morning, the air show will conclude approximately at dusk.

Visitors are asked to be patient as they leave and remember to have their headlights on for visibility. The road to Lowe Field will be blocked off before the show, with crews working to direct traffic to the airport and from it once the expo ends.

It will cost adult visitors $2 to get in, while children 5-12 get in for $1. However, for those who were farsighted enough to purchase Expo T-shirts, they get in for half price. Children 0-5 get in free regardless.

Burns said because of the positive response for this year's show, a Second Annual Gurdon Air Expo will be held in 1997.

Plans for the second expo will begin shortly after the conclusion of this year's event.