In a few years when Christian DaCosta, 7, of Eckert is able to reach the pedals, he’ll be ready to become a pilot like his granddad, Don Huckeby also of Eckert. Christian was one of guests on “Young Eagle” flights provided by local pilots and members of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association during the fly-in at Blake Field last Saturday. Christian and his granddad took their ride in a Cessna 175 owned and flown by Lowell Manary of Montrose.

Members of the Delta/Montrose chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) had their kit-built and built-from-scratch aircraft on display.

The fly-in events are held occasionally and are a way for the private pilot community to hold a "rally" event of their own. Fly-ins are open to the general public, and they give people the opportunity to see the variety of private sport aircraft and experience for themselves the excitement of flight.

It was a day for the public to admire the skill and craftsmanship of the owner/builder/pilots who can spend three to eight years or longer building their custom sport flying airplanes.

Members of the EAA chapter gave "Young Eagle" rides to kids wanting to experience the thrill of their first encounter with the wild blue yonder.

On display were an assortment of Cubs, Super Cubs, Cessnas, RV's and other types.

One of the real eye-catching planes at the fly-in was a World War II vintage North American AT6C, an advanced trainer that was built in 1943 and used to train America's front-line fighter pilots. The impressive aircraft is owned by Galen Rasmussen and Jim Rumble of Montrose.

Rasmussen explained that the AT6 was the final flight training aircraft that new fighter pilots flew before the first solo flight in their fighter aircraft.

The AT6 performed smoke-trailing flyovers of the field, as also did a formation of four chapter members piloting their own kit built Van's Aviation RV aircraft.

The event was hosted by Smiling Aviation, the fixed base operator (FBO) at Blake Field. Blake Field is one of two general aviation airports in Delta County. The other is the smaller North Fork Valley Airport located on Stewart Mesa between Hotchkiss and Paonia.