The National Biplane Fly In attracted about 50 planes and pilots and a solid turnout from the public Saturday, who were anxious to view the restored airplanes and hear their stories from those who pilot them.

One of the coordinators of the event Marvin Hornbostel stated, “It’s been a wonderful day for this fly in, weather-wise and everything else. The turnout has been fantastic.” Hornbostel added the people who oversaw the Chris Cakes pancake feed said they hadn’t served that many people at the event in the previous five year history.

Hornbostel noted the people were great in supporting the event and airplanes came in. “And you know what, people come to watch them take off and land. And they’re getting a lot of that.”

Some of the airplanes arrived from across the country in Junction City as early as Thursday. There were some nervous moments during the early morning hours on Friday when thunderstorms moved through the area. But the planes were tied down tight. Hornbostel said, “I think all of them were probably a little worried about it. Of course, most of them that go to these fly ins, they’ve been through this before.” There was space to put some of the planes  inside, but many were tied down outside. “These old birds, they ride out those storms pretty good. They tie them down. Hail is what’s bad for them, and we’re lucky we didn’t have any of that.”

A great deal of time and money are spent on restoring many of the planes.