|
Cajun Fly-in Draws Record Crowd
   Mason Andrews, Philip Thomas, Lyla Peroyea, and Katie Eskew
Thousands of people looked to the skies and had a much closer look at the machines that fly in those skies at the Cajun Fly-in at Houma-Terrebonne Airport today.
About 100 aircraft were on display at the fly-in, which was was put on by the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 513 in Houma.
Event Director Ray Pierce said this was the largest attendance for any Cajun Fly-In to date, as aircraft taxied by a few feet from where he was standing.
“It’s the one time of year that regular people can come out and walk on this ramp,” Pierce said, “Our goal is to expose the general public to aviation. That’s the difference between a fly-in and an air show. We really look to be interactive.”
Pierce estimated the crowd to be about 4,500 people, far surpassing last year’s attendance of about 1,000.
Part of the reason for that, and the large turnout of aircraft, was any pilot’s primary concern, the weather. Saturday’s weather could not have been better, with clear skies and little wind.
One of the more enthusiastic participants was U.S. Air Force Capt. Mac Carpenter, who grew up in Lockport and is now stationed in Columbus, Miss.
He flew into the event in a two-seater T6 Texan II, an aircraft used by both the Air Force and the Navy to train military pilots in basic aviation, and was greeted by family and friends upon his arrival.
“It’s a good time coming back here,” Carpenter said. “This is the first time I’ve been home since last Christmas, so it’s good to see everybody. Being able to showcase the plane and the Air Force to prospective pilots is why they let me come do it. But for personal reasons being able to come back and see everybody and participate in the aviation is just a blast.”
Those interested in joining the EAA, which Pierce said is open to pilots as well as all non-flying aviation enthusiasts, can go to the chapter’s website, www.513.eaachapter.org, or its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EAA513.
“EAA represents the spirit of aviation,” Pierce said. “We’ve evolved from being just experimental, home-built (aircraft) to everything that flies.”
Read More
  
To see a whole lot more photos click HERE
Teacher Brings Aviation to Louisiana School
By Clyde Oyler
As a teacher at the St. Helena College and Career Academy in Greensburg, Louisiana, this school year, I was able to implement an Aviation and Aerospace Education Society club for students in grades seven through 12.
The primary reason for forming this organization is to allow students the opportunity to discover the wonders of aviation and the various career paths one might consider within the scope of the aerospace industry. Our school is also currently working toward adding an aerospace curriculum for the next academic school year.
When I became a teacher nearly 15 years ago, I always thought it would be great if I could somehow combine my two greatest passions in life — working with young people and aviation. This year it became a reality when our principal, Brandon Fontenot, gave the club and program his blessing and support.
We begin construction on our campus hangar on the first of November. As soon as the new facility is complete, we can start learning and, more importantly, start building an aircraft. I have been very blessed to have acquired my own aircraft in kit form. I have also acquired a set of plans for another. The kit I own is an original Pulsar manufactured by Aero Designs. The set of plans I have acquired are for the Affordaplane aircraft.
I want our students to learn how to do the things it takes to build an aircraft because I feel that it will teach them skills that they can take with them once they graduate whether they go to college or not. Aviation covers all core subjects taught in school, and I really want our students to understand how the things we teach them on a daily basis transfer over to real-life applications.
I am currently preparing to earn my private pilot certificate. I should have done it sooner, but life throws you a lot of curveballs and I am just now getting the time to pursue my ultimate dream. My next goal is to earn my CFI rating in order to teach others how to fly. I really want to provide this option to my students with as much reduction in cost as possible.
Additionally, I would like to start an EAA chapter at my home airport located in Franklinton, Louisiana, which is approximately a 40-minute drive from the school where I teach.
We have a very nice airport that is geographically located around some of the busiest air traffic in the United States. Our airport manager, Marty Roberts, and I have decided to take our airport to the next level by attracting individuals from all ages to become members and take an active role in our airport operations and activities. We are planning on hosting fly-ins, air shows, Young Eagles flights, and any other activities we can think of to help foster aviation at our home base of operations.
EAA has been one of our greatest supporters, and I am truly humbled by all of the kindness, dedication, and support that they have provided. I constantly tell my students that if they want to do something truly great in life, they have to be willing to do something they have never done before.
Read More
November Big Easy Wing Newsletter
To see the November newsletter from the very active Big Easy Wing click HERE. If you would like to be a part of the fastest growing Wing of the Commemorative Air Force email them at info@bigeasywing.org.
New MSY Newsletter
 Current aerial view of new terminal.
To see the newsletter click HERE
Breakfast With Santa Tickets Sold Out
The Southern Heritage Air Foundation will hold its annual Breakfast With Santa event on December 1. As usual, the tickets have sold out for both the 8AM and 10AM seatings.
 
Wings & Wheels Fly-in Photo Album
 To see some additional photos from the very successful Wings and Wheels Fly-in at the St. Tammany Regional Airport click HERE
|
