Hamilton-Owen Fly-in

After hunkering down for a weekend and waiting out a hurricane, I decided to take advantage of the following weekend's beautiful weather and go to the Hamilton-Owen airport (KCUB) outside of Columbia, SC for their fly-in. Since I also believe in trying to spread the aviation bug, I brought my co-worker with me. He was a very pleasant and enthusiastic passenger, and the last I heard, he is working on his ground school and will start flight training soon! As an aside - give rides! Your passenger may become the next new pilot at your field! 

The weather was beautiful with light breezes and only a few puffy clouds. The only thing to watch out for was ensuring that we stayed outside of Columbia's Class C airspace.

Hamilton-Owen Fly-In

The fly-in was well attended, though most of the people had actually driven in. There was quite a good turn-out of non-aviation people. Many interesting planes were there as show-planes. Some of these were owned by local(ish) pilots and included vintage aircraft (such as a Champ and a Cub), experimentals (Starduster, Lancair, Rans Coyote), vintage warbirds (Corsair, SNJ) and other interesting planes such as a Phoenix motorglider.

Corsair

Starduster

One highlight of the event for many was the arrival of the University of South Carolina's King Air with their mascot, Cocky.

Local law enforcement and military groups also had a good showing. The Air National Guard was inspiring the next generation of military aviators with their Chinook by letting them climb up into the cockpit to take a look around. Their Apache also drew a crowd and its pilot, a female officer, was both very knowledgeable and approachable.

Chinook cockpit

Apache

The local sheriff was also there with his helicopter, answering questions from a seemingly endless stream of children. He was a good ambassador, not only for aviation, but for law enforcement as well. It was also great to show all the youngsters that there are jobs in aviation outside of the standard airline pilot job that people always think of.

Local sheriff and his helicopter

Another interesting plane there was the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation's B-25 Mitchell. The plane was left to sit and rot for years, but this group is now taking care of it and working on restoring it as a static display. From what I saw, the group is making great progress, but still has lots of work ahead.

The South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation's B-25

Oh, and there were a bunch of vintage motorcycles there too...

Motorcycle line up

I did find one that I have to admit I kind of like.

Harley Davidson M-50

To emphasize what I said earlier about aviation jobs people don't normally think of, on the way back to Trenton we saw a helicopter flying low to the ground near some power lines. On closer inspection, we realized the helicopter was carrying a giant saw blade and trimming the trees. That is one aviation job I think I will pass on. For now at least.