Mark your calendars for the sixth annual Fly-in and fun formation event in support of the Pell City Airport’s Aviation Career Day and Open House (KPLR) on Saturday October 10 th , 2026. The 4-day event is designed to promote the many aspects and rewards of pursuing an aviation career to our local area youth. We have seminars with presentations from Military Pilots, Airline Pilots, Corporate Pilots, ATC, FAA, Maintenance Professionals and Aviation Managers.
The Fly-in is planned for the weekend October 8th-11th with fun flying over beautiful Lake Logan Martin in central Alabama just east of Birmingham. You are welcome to come and go as you please. The weather is very nice this time of the year. We will not have a wavier but most of the local pilots will avoid flying that weekend to support our operation. We will issue a NOTAM advising a high volume of formation flying at the airport. On Saturday October 10th at 12:00 – 13:00 we will showcase the event with a formation flyby program. Pell City / St Clair County KPLR is a great venue.
The past year’s events have been a great success and the local social media explodes with positive commentary and the local
community looks forward to seeing our warbird formations over Lake Logan Martin every year. We have great sponsorship and support and there will be no landing fee again this year. The local management is doing everything it can to support the warbird pilots who attend and want to ensure we come back every year! We have arranged the following:
? Discounted fuel for event.
? We will have 3-4 airport courtesy cars for our use.
? The use of a nice private hangar with bathroom, lounge area, bar and briefing area.
? Private gated entrance adjacent to our operations hangar.
? Free food, soft drinks, water and beer to include daily lunches and dinners.
? A beer and BS Party at a nearby Logan Martin Lake House Friday evening.
? 2-3 barrels of smoke oil. (Yes, it is free)
We have ramp space for 12-15 aircraft right next to our Ops Hangar. There are an additional 12 aircraft spaces on the main ramp and we have a large “Oshkosh Style” grass area for overflow parking. We have a dedicated golf cart and van to get everyone to their aircraft if the closer areas fill up. Parking will be on a first come basis.
The first 50 pilots who show up with their warbirds will get a very nice “goody bag” that includes a custom event patch, hat, mug and other goodies. ? A pilot smart pack with local area flying info and practice areas along with ground maps for
hotel and parties. A Formation fly over contest (The Redneck Regatta) where you must fly over several locations (docks) on Lake Logan Martin with a different formation at each point. The winners will be presented a nice cheesy award.
On Saturday afternoon we will conduct our third annual “Catfish Drop” where we launch 4-ships and drop stuffed fish in an attempt to hit a couple of rednecks in a boat at the end of the runway. This is followed by a traditional Southern Catfish Fish Fry. The winner will get his very own wall mounted talking fish.
We are adding a new event this year. On Friday, we are setting up a wine and cheese pontoon boat cruise / pool party for wife’s, girlfriends and other guests who want to participate in something fun instead of reading a book in the hangar while we fly. They will anchor in the lake and judge our flybys. I am sure they will come up with an appropriate award. Please let me know if interested in this new event.
We are requesting that you provide us with your intent to attend as soon as possible so we can make sure we have enough food and drink for everyone. To sign up register here or contact David “R+10” Rothenanger at 317-201-0010 or email at davidrothenanger@aol.com Check back here for more info to follow. We are working on discount hotel rooms and rental cars.