Friday Night Fly - In Takes Off at Orange County Airport
By: Orange County Communications
Lights, camera, aviation! On Friday, April 26, the Orange County Airport hosted their first ever Friday Night Fly - In Movie Night. The feature program of this event was Planes: Fire & Rescue , an animated film that highlights both aviation and emergency services. To provide real - world perspective on theme of emergency response, the event opened at 6:00 p.m. and allowed attendees to visit with representatives from County of Orange Fire & EMS, Orange Volunteer Fire Company, and the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office. Each agency brought a vehicle with them, and allowed children to explore and ask questions about their roles.
For some hands - on aviation fun, the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) brought their Icon A5 static display aircraft and a flight simulator. The Icon A - 5 is a light sport amphibian aircraft on a trailer with working controls. As participants moved the controls, they could actually see elements of the aircraft respond. Discussion with DOAV volunteers helped connect this experience to the principles of powered flight. Orange County Litter Control provided another fun aviation activity in the form of a paper airplane contest. With a provided piece of recycled paper (and with help, if desired), kids were given the opportunity to color and fold their own aircraft. This culminated in a group throw with more than 30 paper airplanes taking to the skies of our terminal building. The top three finishers were presented with certificates signed by our Airport Manager, and Regal Cinemas movie tickets from Orange County Parks & Recreation. Before sunset, Skydive Orange jumped the movie in from several thousand feet above! Spectators were treated to a dazzling display as the parachuters descended to deliver the film. Finally, a little before 8:30 p.m. the movie began. Many in the crowd commented that the film was perfectly fitting for the day ’ s activities. Building on this success, the Orange County Airport is considering potential future events, stay tuned!
Page 23 | May 2024
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