Port of Ephrata to host ag pilots Friday
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 1 week AGO
Agricultural aircraft in line at the Port of Ephrata during last year's fly-in put on by the Association of Washington Aerial Applicators. Visitors will be able to check them out close up at Friday's event.
COURTESY PHOTO/PORT OF EPHRATA
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | October 3, 2024 7:14 PM
EPHRATA — The Port of Moses Lake will play host to the Association of Washington Aerial Applicators for the group's 2nd Annual Fly-In today from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The goal is to show the community what agricultural pilots do for the region.
“That’s one of the big pushes for the event, is to kind of make it an educational outreach event for agricultural aviation,” said Anthony Root, an AWAA representative.
The public is welcome to attend the event which starts with a pancake breakfast at about 8 a.m. and will continue with several elements throughout the morning and into the early afternoon. Once breakfast finishes up, pilots will be re-validated for their respective certifications by the State Department of Agriculture. There will be live displays of aerial application testing spray patterns using dyed water rather than agricultural treatments.
Port of Ephrata Director David Lanman said this is the second year the port has hosted the event put on by the association.
Root said a key element of the event is simply making sure people understand that ag pilots contribute to dinner tables across the region and elsewhere by helping farmers grow healthy, hearty crops.
Visitors will get to take a look at the aircraft close up, including an air ambulance that will visit the event.
Barret Aircraft will be selling burgers for lunch starting at 10 a.m.
“And then, right after lunch, we’ll be having kind of an aviation town hall with the Department of Agriculture, (Washington State University) and the (Federal Aviation Administration) all making presentations,” Root said.
More information, including a video of a helicopter spraying aerosol at a prior, similar event may be found on the Port of Ephrata’s website at portofephrata.gov and clicking on the EVENTS link.
Parking for the event will be just south of Barrett Aircraft with signs posted along Airport Street and Division Avenue directing drivers to parking, according to information from the port.