It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Santa Claus

At first it appeared as just a red dot against an otherwise chilly, blue-sky Montana day.

An excited buzz built among the dozens of adults and children who had come to see the red object which grew larger as it approached.

Then, as it circled overhead, the first cries of “it’s Santa” emerged from the throng below.

Soon the red sleigh was hovering, preparing to settle into a soft landing that only magical reindeer could produce.

Except there were no reindeer and the sleigh was a red Bell helicopter.

But as it touched down, it was clear the figure in the co-pilot seat was the red-suit bedecked purveyor of cheer and good will.

Out from the craft, it’s overhead blades still whirling to a stop, stepped St. Nick, with a bag of toys and goodies draped over his shoulder.

The crowd surged forward and surrounded the landing site, which in this case was the football practice field on the grounds of Plains High School.

Thompson Falls area resident Art Dykstra, pilot of the helicopter, said this landing was part of 19 Santa fly-ins conducted throughout Western Montana by members of the Missoula-based Museum of Mountain Flying organization.

“Several pilots and Santas took off from Missoula on a series of flights throughout the region,” Dykstra said. “There are 14 pilots from our group who will be landing with Santa in communities throughout this area”.

Dykstra, who has been flying helicopters and fixed wing aircraft for more than 20 years, said the main focus of the event was to bring “a little cheer” to people after what for many has been a trying year.

“This is a good way to spread some cheer and give back to the communities we live in,” Dykstra said.

The pilots went airborne about an hour earlier, first doing a circle around Missoula before heading off in separate flight paths. The event, the first of what organizers hope with be an annual occurrence, was scheduled to stop in at least 19 towns, including Plains, Thompson Falls and Superior.

The event itself was a concept created by a group of pilots and museum members who were thinking of ways to brighten the Christmas season. In literally two weeks, they came up with the Red Sleighs Over Montana theme, solicited donations and filed flight plans to make it all happen.

More than 50 adults and children of all ages were on hand to greet the whirlybird Santa, pose for pictures and get a sweet treat from Santa himself.

The aircraft were also loaded with toys and clothing items which had been made in response to special requests from children throughout the area who had written to Santa.

Volunteers purchased, wrapped and loaded the gifts onto the various aircraft involved.

“We got a good break in the weather today,” Dykstra said. “It is a great day for flying.”