Oct. 1 declared, ‘Airport Appreciation Day’

–The Paso Robles AirFest will be be coming to the Paso Robles Municipal Airport, located at 4900 Wing Way in Paso Robles, on Friday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

AirFest organizers expect more than 100 planes to visit the airport for this event, including a fully restored WWII B-25 bomber named “Executive Sweet.” The 30 minute rides will be available for a fee, and the public is being asked to participate in the “Help A Vet Soar.” This program allows five paying passengers the opportunity to honor a veteran with the 6th seat for free.

The AirFest event begins on Friday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m. with a hangar dinner party with jets, Reno Racers and some vintage aircraft, and wine and beer.

Saturday morning activities begin with the “World’s Fastest” 5k and 10k races called ‘Run the Runways.’ The runways should provide a flat and smooth run. Later in the morning will be the Young Eagle program sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association, which will give kids an opportunity to fly for free (parents will need to be with the kids at the airport and sign a permission form.)

The free rides for kids starts at 9 am. and from noon to about 4 pm there will be planes and different flying activities.

At the Paso Robles City Council meeting of Sept. 20, Mayor Steve Martin proclaimed Oct. 1, 2016 as Airport Appreciation Day. The Paso Robles Airport is one of only 5-percent of general aviation airports in the nation that operate without a general tax subsidy. Paso Robles Airport, known as PRB to pilots, is located in a way that is favored by pilots of many types. It is generally above the marine fog that is common to the area, and located in a way that is convenient to Cal Fire, the California Highway Patrol, and aircrafts from Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts. Several charter jets use the Paso Robles airport each week and it is common to see more than one jet on the ramp at any given time.