2003 Celebration of Flight Airshow, Andrews, NC
25 October 2003 

For the first time in 32 years, the sounds of aviation and the tumbling of aerobatic flight filled the skies above the Andrew-Murphy Airport in Andrews, NC on 25 October 2003.    During one of the most beautiful times of year in the far parts of the southern Smoky Mountains, this late fall event in Cherokee County drew over 8,000 aviation enthusiasts to the airport to see aerobatic performances by Gary Ward in the Giles 202, Gary Rower in the PT-17 Stearman, Pat Epps in the F33 Bonanza, and flybys from the North Carolina Forestry Service in their CL215 and UH-1H as well as Toby Tyler in his L-39C Albatross. 

There was something for everyone as the gates opened early and airplane and hot air balloon rides were given throughout the entire day.  Besides the (3) hot air balloons that were tethered and giving rides, there was an opportunity for attendees to ride in various aircraft such as the Aero Commander, Cessna 172, a WACO YMF, and a Stearman Bi-Plane. 

Exhibitors included a futuristic Velocity aircraft as well as the NASA SATSLAB.    The larger aircraft on display included Don Brooks' C-47D Skytrain and the North Carolina Forestry Services' CL-215.   The North Carolina Army National Guard was also present with their newly acquired UH-60L Blackhawk as were numerous other homebuilts, general aviation aircraft, and vintage aircraft. 

Flying started on Saturday with a waterdrop by the CL-215 and continued with teaser performances by Gary Rower in his Stearman and Gary Ward in the Giles 202.    Toby Tyler took the L-39c Albatross Czech Jet around the pattern a few times for flybys and the North Carolina Forestry Service performed another waterdrop from their UH-1H Iroquois.    The late afternoon performances included the full aerobatic shows from Pat Epps in his F33 Bonanza, Gary Ward in his Giles 202 and Gary Rower in the PT-17 Stearman.   The flying concluded with a departure flyby by the North Carolina Army National Guard in their UH-60L Blackhawk.    Unfortunately ground fog in Florida kept the O-2 and T-28 from attending this year's event and a mechanical problem kept the USAF F-117 grounded in Georgia causing its cancellation of the scheduled flyby. 

Listing of Display Aircraft 

Overall the event was highly successful and well worth the $3 for adult admission.   The crowd size was three times more than was expected by the organizers of the event yet everyone left the event happy and satisfied with an afternoon of entertainment under cloudless skies. 

Look for another Celebration of Flight Airshow in Andrews, NC in October 2004!