Attend the Cajun Fly-In

Aircraft aplenty will be on display this Saturday and spectators will see some flyovers at the Houma Terrebonne Airport-North Ramp during the 2009 edition of the Bill Fornof Memorial EAA Chapter 513 Cajun Fly-In.

The event, held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hangar No. 1, is designed to familiarize local residents with facilities at the Houma Airport located at 219 Aviation Road.

Admission and parking are free.

Last year, 22 pilots flew their home- and factory-built private planes at the event.

Two aircraft, an all-metal CH-701 and a fabric-covered Christavia, recently built by local Experimental Aircraft Association members Chris Aysen and Scott Thibodeaux, respectively, will be on display at the event. Both planes have passed a Federal Aviation Authority inspection and received approval for an Air Worthiness Certificate.

While most home-built aircraft are assembled from kits with preformed parts, the CH-701 was built using metal sheets and other stock.

The Christavia was constructed by welding together special steel tubing.

On static display will be several U.S. Marine Corps Cobra helicopter gunships, a T-28 Trojan Navy trainer and a combat-ready Hummer from the Louisiana Army National Guard, which is providing a climbing wall with instructors for everyone’s enjoyment.

Several World-War-II-era vehicles and civilianized weapons from the Regional Military Museum, and helicopters belonging to Air Logistics, Petroleum Helicopters, ERA, and Acadian Ambulance AirMed, among others, will be on site.

An L-39 jet trainer from the former Soviet Union will be on the ground and flying.

Spectators can also see emergency and rescue vehicles from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Houma Police and Fire departments. A Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol boat can be inspected as well.

The Bayouland RC Flyers, a Thibodaux radio-controlled aircraft flying club, will have model airplanes and helicopters to view; attendees can fly models on the club’s RC flying model simulator.

The band La Rose will provide music beginning at noon in Hangar No. 1.

Food and drinks will be available on the field.

Drivers should enter the airport at Aviation Road on East Main Street and follow the signs to the parking area.

For more information, call (985) 872-6732.