Plains Day will feature free plane rides for kids on Saturday
Know any kids, age 8–17, who might want to fly?
The Sanders County Pilots Association is giving free half-hour plane rides on Plains Day on Saturday, June 1, starting at 10 a.m. at the Plains airport. The flights are part of the national EEA Young Eagles Flights program, and are insured through the EEA. The flights will begin with a hands-on introduction, and kids will fly with a local EAA-member pilot who will let them follow along at the controls of the airplane to get a feel for what being a pilot is all about.
Nita Deardorf, one of the pilots, is coordinating the event. “This program has been going on for years, but this is the first time it will happen in Sanders County. It’s a really good opportunity. We’d like for more young people to learn that one of the things they can become is a pilot.” Most pilots, she says, are so enthusiastic, they love it if a kid shows interest. “We are doing these free flights because we love to fly, and we are looking for that one kid who says, ‘I want to do this!’” says Deardorff. “There have been kids who say, ‘I’ll wash your plane for flight,’ and that gets them up in the air.” The organization offers an aviation scholarship every year.
The Sanders County Pilots Association pilots provide many services in the area, all as volunteers, even paying their own fuel and other expenses. Unlike in most states, private pilots are the air support for the county’s volunteer Search and Rescue. They train in how to spot people lost in the mountains, flying grids and noting signs such as smoke and reflections from signal mirrors. Other examples of their service include providing “Angel Flights,” free flights for people and their families needing medical care far from home, and flying disabled veterans into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to fish, raft, and camp as part of the Wounded Warrior project.
Registration forms are available at Ace Hardware, Town Pump and Thompson Falls and Trout Creek post offices. Bring them to the pilots at the airport Saturday morning. Parents’ permission and signature are required.
“We’re really excited about what we do,” says Deardorf. “If we can get someone excited about flying, we’re happy.” For more information, call Nita Deardorf at 406-529-4059.
Plains Day Schedule
Plains Day promises to rock the town. A committee of community volunteers have worked hard to fill the days with fun, food, music, and entertainment in a celebration of our community.
Festivities kick off Friday, May 31 with the Plains High School Alumni Football game at 5 p.m. at the high school field. This is followed by the Alumni Softball game at 6:30 and the Alumni Basketball game at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, June 1, vendors of all types will fill the Greenway all day. Enjoy the Masons Pancake Breakfast at the VFW from 7 to 11 a.m. The popular car show and 5K Fun Run both start at 9 a.m. at the MT West Dentist office. The Old Jail also opens at 9 a.m.
At 10 a.m., the EAA Young Eagle Flights free airplane rides begin at the airport. These are offered by the Sanders County Pilots Association for youth from 8 to 17 years old.
Also at 10, the Plains Lions Club & Plains/Paradise Rural Fire Department games get underway on the Greenway, and the Plains Woman’s Club opens the Log Schoolhouse.
The Plains Day parade begins at 10:30, as does the Rocky Mountain Bank Ice Cream Social.
11 a.m. brings the Watermelon Eating Contest and Dunk Tank Fun on the Greenway, Art in the Park at Fred Young Park (with free portrait photos by Little Bird Photography), and the Wildhorse ShootOut 3-on-3 Tournament at Amundson Sports Complex.
Don’t miss the Turtle Races at 1 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Bank.
Basketball fans will enjoy the 7 ft. and 9 ft. Dunk Contest, and Three-Point and Free Throw contests at 2 p.m., all at Amundson Sports Complex.
A community dance, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the MT West Dentist building will be followed by a free movie at 9:30 p.m. at the same site.
Sunday will bring the Alumni Golf Tournament to the Plains Golf Course.
Bring your family and friends, bring your parade floats, and challenge yourself and others to jump into any and all contests and activities.
For parade entry forms or other information, call 406-529-4059.