Seaplane fly-in scheduled at Greenville

GREENVILLE – For the first time in the history of the International Seaplane Fly-In, Richard “Dick” Folsom will not be huddled in the corner of the Stobie Hanger dispensing his sage advice to young and old pilots alike.

Although the gentleman, a flying legend of his time, died April 11 at the age of 83, his memory will have a strong presence at the event to be held Sept. 5-8 this year in his honor.

“I know he’ll be right on top of Moose Mountain and he’ll probably be giving me hell for my last landing,” Frank Woodworth, president of the fly-in, joked about Folsom on Thursday. “He was a dear friend of mine.”

And a friend he was to hundreds of pilots who sought his advice for problems they encountered or who wanted information on the latest aircraft. “He was a wealth of information and very happy to share it with others,” Woodworth said. His competence was never questioned by pilots, nor did Folsom, who founded the largest seaplane base in New England, ever flaunt his intelligence, Woodworth recalled.

Woodworth said a memorial service will be held for Folsom during the four-day event that will be held at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters on the shore of Moosehead Lake. The event is not only a time to showcase talent and new equipment, but also a time to reminisce and “hash over old times,” Woodworth said.

Pilots from around the world will gather at the fly-in to attend aviation seminars, view demonstrations and new equipment, and participate in flying contests. The flying events start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and are free to spectators.

A cookout and craft fair will be held Saturday. Other events that day will include the Bush Pilot’s Canoe Race and “bomb” drops, spot landings and take-offs, demonstrations and fly-bys. The air contests will finish Sunday.

Visitors will be treated to an array of rare, classic and experimental aircraft. In the past, air-to-ground World War II fighter planes, the world’s only DC-3 on floats and the traditional 1944 Grumman Goose fighter plane have been on display.

Other exhibitors include a locally based aircraft research and development firm and the Katahdin Wings, which is the Maine chapter of the Ninety-Nines, the national all-female flying club.

For a schedule of events, visit the fly-in Web site at www.seaplanefly-in.org. For local accommodations, contact the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce at 695-2702.