Thousands flock to Lyon County air fest

Twelve-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident Brandon Niebur climbed into an airplane and escaped the clutch of gravity for the first time Sunday during the Lyon County Fly In & Air Fest in Silver Springs.

"At first I didn't really notice because it was so smooth but then I was like, 'Whoa, we're off the ground!'" he said after his Young Eagles flight. "It was pretty exciting. It didn't really make me sick or anything."

His grandfather, Bill Niebur, explained the basics of flight using an ultralight aircraft as a model.

"The engine makes the power, and the power is sent down this shaft," he said, pointing with his cane. "Then a regular belt turns the propeller."

Organizers said the Nieburs were two of about 6,000 who turned out for the two-day event.

"They've been lining up all day for the Young Eagles Program," said Maxine Nietz. "Each kid that flies gets air wings and a certificate."

Aircraft on display included a Careflight helicopter, a selection of ultralights and the Bull Stearman biplane.

"It was the grand champion at the Oshkosh airshow in Wisconsin," said event airboss Sky Sarosi.

"That's the top honor you can get for a restored airplane. It's a very prestigious honor and there are millions of planes for judging at Oshkosh."

Standing by the T6A Texan II he flew up from Laughlin Air Force Base, 1st Lt. Erik Cobbs described soaring over Nevada.

"It's pretty country. I like the mountains out here. Out in West Texas where we're from it's pretty flat."

Air Force pilots will train in the new Texan before moving on to jets, he said.

Navy Interior Communicationsmen 2nd Class Wendy Schuss arrived at Fallon Naval Air Station only two days before the air fest. She just returned from a "WestPac" or Western Pacific tour aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S Carl Vinson.

She's part of the EOD or Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit at Fallon.

"We're here to show the public some of the different things they might come across out here," she said, holding up a bundle of fake dynamite.

"Because this is a mining area there is a lot of old dynamite around. It's very sensitive. You don't want to touch it at all."

Then she explained the ANDROS robot used to handle especially dangerous bombs.

"This thing can climb stairs and it has five cameras. We use it for remote procedures so we don't even have to get close to the item."

She excused herself and raced across the tarmac to take an ultralight ride.

Cadet Airmen Steven McCandless and Jeff Foster from Yerington's Civil Air Patrol unit were eating burgers as they explained the group's goals: The cadet program; Aerospace education and Emergency relief.

"We're just kind of out here showing off what we've got," McCandless said.

More than 100 private planes flew in for the event, held at the Lyon County Regional Airport. Owned by Hale and Kay Bennett, retired state officer and retired member of the Carson City board of supervisors, respectively, the airport is growing fast. Fencing put up recently will keep wild horses out and new hangars are planned for next year.

As part of a raffle Tracy Renee won a Freelow TLX10 spa valued at $3,500.

"She was ecstatic," said Nietz. "A very happy lady."

The Lyon County Fly In & Air Fest was funded in part by the Nevada Commission on Tourism and Lyon County.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.