NORWICH – What’s up? On Saturday, the aircraft at the 19th Annual Airport Day and the Spirits of our Community and Public Service Organizations is what’s up. This annual event has morphed from an aviation event into an aviation showplace, along with participation from many of the Community and Public Service Agencies in Chenango County. It is the Community Day at the Norwich Airport.

The day starts early, at 7 a.m., with breakfast being provided by a team from the Boy Scouts of America and the arrival of show aircraft and other general aviation. Participants can expect to see commercial aircraft and vintage prop and jet aircraft. Jamie Baciuska, General Manager of Gama Aviation, Inc. and a supporter of this event, stated that Gama will have jets on display including a Citation II Corporate Jet. Kevin Rose of Western New York has scheduled the arrival and display of several jet aircraft: de Havilland Vampire, BAC Strikemaster, Fouga Jet, and two Casa jet aircraft. The Wings of Eagles Museum in Elmira is sending a WWII trainer, the AT-6 Texan, and a Stearman open cockpit aircraft. These two aircraft will be providing rides by purchase for the general public, along with Fred Stagnaro of the Norwich Flight School with his Warrior that is located at the Airport. The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1204 will be have at least three aircraft providing free aircraft rides for children under the age of 18. Registration for the Young Eagles Flights starts at 8 a.m. and participants must have a parent or legal guardian with them to complete the paperwork for the flights. All flights, free or purchased, will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

By 9 a.m., all of our Public Safety and Community Service Organizations will be in place. Expect to see the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office with their new Airboat, Evidence Trailer, Corrections, along with providing Operation ID. You may have your child photographed and fingerprinted for child safety. Norwich City Police and Greene Police will be displaying and demonstrating technology they use in enforcement. Greene Police and the DEC Environmental Police will be doing K-9 demonstrations with their dogs. The Norwich Fire Department will be doing demonstrations of the technology they use for fire fighting, emergency medical services, and public education. The Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith will be providing the new Mobile Command Trailer and support vehicle. This is an essential tool used during area wide disasters. The New York State Police will participate with the “Persuader,” come and see it. The South Central Group of the Civil Air Patrol will be here. This group was responsible for the find of a helicopter that was lost locally.

Community Service organizations will be here. These are the “Hidden Treasures” of Chenango County. These organizations donate thousands of volunteer hours and provide services to all segments of our communities. Come and see our “Hidden Treasures.”