The General Aviation Council of Hawaii’s annual Aviation Day and Fly-in lands Saturday at Hilo International Airport.
Free and open to all ages, the static event — meaning there’s no aerial flying — is now in its third year and starts about 9 a.m. at the Civil Air Patrol hangar.
Michael Singer, a GACH board member, said the aviation community in Hawaii is small and the organization has different events throughout the islands.
“This time of year, we try to hold one in Hilo, weather permitting,” he said.
According to Singer, the event will feature a variety of aircraft, some of which will fly in from Oahu and Maui, as well as vendors and representatives from organizations such as the Civil Air Patrol, the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
According to its website, Civil Air Patrol is a U.S. Air Force auxiliary and public service organization that carries out emergency and disaster relief missions nationwide.
Singer said the fly-in has gotten bigger since its inception.
There “used to be an aviation appreciation day with the military that was a big event,” drawing crowds of more than 1,000, he said.
Organizers are expecting about 1,000 people Saturday.
There’s something for everybody, Singer said
“It’s free and it’s something to do in Hilo,” he said. “I think the kids really get a lot out of it and anybody (who) has interest in learning how to fly.”
Singer said events on the outer islands are important because there are no private airports in Hawaii. There are only seven airports, all operated by the state.
“They have these rules that we have to abide by,” he said. “… Everything is very different on the mainland, where small private airports are open to the public … All the general aviation community is affected in one form or another because of the regulations we have to follow in the state of Hawaii.”
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.