Fly-in expected to draw thousands Annual seaplane event set in Greenville

GREENVILLE – Every September for the past six years, Mike Volk of Florida has packed his bags and headed to Greenville for the International Seaplane Fly-In.

Unless a hurricane gets in his way next week, the president of the Seaplane Pilots Association plans once again to make the trip to the annual event where pilots demonstrate their abilities, view new equipment and aircraft and mingle with old and new friends.

“The combination of location, atmosphere and sheer size [of the gathering] makes Greenville what is, ” Volk said Wednesday, explaining the draw to the event.

The Greenville Municipal Airport will hold a place of honor at this year’s event, according to Suzanne AuClair of the fly-in committee.

The airport had a humble beginning as a landing strip on the Walden family farm in the 1920s. Later, the government converted it into an official airport during World War II. In recent years, the airport has expanded and is undergoing a surge of new growth, with the reconstruction of the runways, the first arrivals building, new hangar leases and expanded vehicle parking, she said.

It is the only paved general aviation airport in Piscataquis County and is used by pilots from throughout the Moosehead Lake territory.

Ed Walden, the original owner and operator of the airport, who kept it running almost single-handedly during many lean years, also will be recognized, according to AuClair.

In addition to the airport, the town has Folsom’s Air Service, which continues to keep air and float planes running, with a service hangar in downtown Greenville, as well as a fixed-base operation at the airport.

But as another sign of the times, this may be the legendary hangar’s last homecoming for generations of pilots because the business now is up for sale, AuClair said.

Stobie Hangar, which was started in 1959 for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as a seaplane base for the northwest territory, is where most of the seaplane activities are held.

While the fly-in is geared to pilots, spectators have fun watching the pilots compete in air games. They also can enjoy the demonstrations, displays, the craft fair, antique car show and the food.

Admission to the exhibits is free to spectators.