Wings over Sandpoint on Saturday

SANDPOINT — Wings Over Sandpoint takes flight on Saturday.

The 11th annual fly-in features an array of aircraft and kicks off with a pancake breakfast, which starts at 8 a.m.

“We get great public turnout. We usually feed about 450 people breakfast,” said Jan Lee, president of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s local chapter.

Life Flight Network’s helicopter will be on display, in addition to scores of other aircraft such as float planes, Quest Aviation’s Kodiak and Richard Orchard’s distinctive Lockwood Aircam, a high-wing tandem two-seater that looks like a canoe with wings.

“A lot people see that flying low over the lake. I’ve had people call me and ask, ‘What is that airplane?’” said Lee.

Now people can get a close-up look at the Aircam, which is suited for astoundingly short takeoffs.

The event lasts until 1 p.m., although Lee recommends getting to the fly-in on the early side.

“From 8 a.m. to 10:30 is usually about the best time for viewing airplanes because that when most of them fly in and out,” Lee said.

Also on display will be Lee’s 1965 Alon A2, which recently received a Gold Lindy award at the EAA’s AirVenture fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisc. It is one of the group’s highest honors in the recreation aviation community, according to an EAA news release.

Lee bought the plane about 10 years ago and originally intended to redo its paint job.

“A paint job turned into what we’re calling a re-manufacture,” said Lee.

Instead of just restoring the plan to it’s original specs, it was upgraded to include autopilot and other modifications.

Granite Aviation’s fixed-base operation will also be open to the public.

Craft from the North Idaho Aerospace program and Aces program, which acquaints high schoolers with aviation will also be on hand. Lee said Aces is having one of its best years ever.

It’s just so fun to see those kids out there flying all the time,” Lee said. “They’ve really been flying the wings off that thing.”