Soaring to new heights: sea plane fly-in glides into its 50th year

WRITTEN BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

Mark your calendar for Sept. 5-8 when Moosehead Lake turns into a landing strip for the 50th annual International Seaplane Fly-In in Greenville.

“This is the largest in the country,” said Gary Norris, president of the International Seaplane Fly-In. Norris oversees the four-day event, which brings float planes from all over the world to Greenville. “You gotta see it to believe it. We don’t really promote it that much — we don’t have to.”

Float planes hold a very special place in the history of Moosehead Lake. Norris, a long-time participating pilot himself, shared that some local pilots started having fun with take offs and landings and soon like-minded pilots from the area joined in for a weekend of fun and flying.

In 1973, 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 got the first Fly-In off the ground. The seaplane splash-in has a strong reputation as being one of the world’s largest such events — a major draw for flying enthusiasts and spectators alike.

Fifty years later, this event has become an end-of-summer tradition.

“The International Seaplane Fly-In has always been the weekend after Labor Day,” said Greenville Town Manager Michael Roy. “Greenville and the Moosehead Lake region is a tourist destination; having the Fly-In after the ‘end of summer’ season allows our businesses a bonus weekend, sort of the grand finale to the busy summer the town has experienced.”

According to the non-profit International Seaplane Fly-In Corporation, some rare planes make a showing each year, including a 1944 Grumman Goose. Besides the Cessnas, Cubs, and Beavers, it is not unusual to see a Caravan or two, as well as many classic and experimental seaplanes.

Starting on Thursday, Sept. 5, there will be an endless stream of planes touching down on Moosehead Lake from places as far away as Sweden.

“We have float planes from all over — Florida, Alaska, Indiana, Michigan, all over the place, here for the various competitions,” Norris said. “The best competitors are right from Maine, rich with experience. Years ago, a float plane was the only way to get into these remote lakes and logging camps, long before we had the roads.”

The events include an airplane parade, a bush pilots canoe race, touch-and-go landings, take off contests, slalom contests, spot landings, and many more tests of pilots’ skills.

“It’s exciting to watch all the competitions and contests,” Norris said. Some pilots are also available for a meet-and-greet to talk about their planes and to share stories.

Each year, the Fly-In draws thousands of spectators, with over 10,000 attending last year’s festivities.

“The Fly-In has always brought thousands of people to Greenville,” Roy said. “This year, the Fly-In’s 50 ^th year will be another huge event. The event is always an economic boost for our businesses and vendors alike.”

In addition to the planes, 20 vendors will arrive from all over, just like the pilots. The Greenville Fire Department, Kiwanis, and The International Seaplane Fly-In Corporation will be vendors as well.

The Fly-In takes the whole community to be successful. Shops, restaurants, and lodging facilities are gearing up for the crowds. Norris said there are air traffic controllers volunteering for the weekend. About 60 Civil Air Patrol cadets will be on hand to help with the ramping of planes, as well as students from UMaine’s aviation program. In addition, every year the need for docking all these planes has been a challenge.

“We go to folks along the shore with a dock and sandy shore who willingly share their space for the weekend,” Norris said. “We’ve been tucking the planes in everywhere.”