The show goes on at Flagler airport

Despite yesterday’s tragedy, Historic City News reporters found hundreds of noon-time attendees at today’s second annual Warbird Fly-In at the Flagler County Airport on SR-100 in Palm Coast.

Crowds have been average; charity organizers were hoping for 10,000 participants this weekend. Although ticket sales are a major source of revenue, significant funding comes from civic-minded, sponsoring companies and individuals.

Aerobatics will not be performed today; however, there is still plenty of flying and unique aircraft on the tarmac for your enjoyment. Vendors set up at the airfield include Four Star Aero, Bruster’s, Have Carts will Travel, High Jackers, Sweet Treats, Jetliner Aircraft, Teens in Flight and Sky Soldiers.

Mills Aviation Charities, Inc. is a Non-Profit Corporation dedicated to raising aviation awareness, preserving aviation history, educating, and providing less fortunate youth with the opportunity to follow their aviation dreams.

The “Wings over Flagler” event supports the Mills Aviation Charities Scholarship Program.

Blue Sky Yakrobatics, Inc., the promoters of the annual event, maintains a group of highly-trained, experienced pilots who combine their love of flying with an appreciation for vintage military aircraft.

Many questions remain in yesterday’s unexplained crash where a single-engine Yak 52 doing an exercise, crashed and burst into flames at about 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon, killing the pilot. No one on the ground was hurt.

Flames erupted from the crash site immediately after the plane went down at the edge of the Flagler County Airport. Investigators are still collecting and evaluating evidence around the scene and the results of the medical examiners investigation are still pending.

Fire officials said yesterday’s crash caused a 1-acre brush fire that could have been much worse had it not been for the wind blowing flames towards the short grass and away from neighboring pine trees.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer