Saturday, April 26, was an exciting day for local pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and families at the Habersham County Airport in Baldwin. They gathered at the field for a unique fly-in and pancake breakfast hosted by the Habersham County Aviation Explorers Post 0623.
From 8 to 10:30 a.m. visitors enjoyed a hot breakfast and explored the aircraft up close. The cost of admission was by donation, with all proceeds supporting the Aviation Explorers, a local youth aviation group affiliated with Scouting America.
Bill Dillashaw, who organized the group, said this was a first in Habersham for an event like this. They recently observed a fly-in at the Jackson County Airport. He hopes this will bring the aviation community together in Habersham.
The recommended breakfast donation was $10. However, Dillashaw said any donation was accepted and no one was turned away. According to him, it wasn’t about the money but about aviation and community.
Pilots from around the region joined in to participate and wanted to offer flights for youth but were unable to due to cloud coverage. There was even a hot air balloon basket set up (minus the balloon) for youth to learn more about aviation beyond airplanes.
Attendees had the opportunity to tour the aircraft, speak with pilots, and learn more about the operations and opportunities available at the Habersham County Airport.
Aviation Explorers
Aviation Explorers is an educational group for young people aged 14 to 20, focused on exposing members to all facets of aviation—from piloting and aircraft maintenance to airport design and air traffic control. Although they’re affiliated with Scouting America (formerly known as the Boy Scouts), Aviation Explorers operates independently and is co-ed.
Dillashaw explained that the organization is open to both young men and women, and they meet once a month at the airport. He said they conduct field trips, bring in guest speakers from all over the aviation industry, and strive to provide members with a comprehensive view of the aviation world.
The breakfast included pancakes and sausages along with coffee and juice, thanks to several local sponsors, including David and Katie’s Amish Store in Homer, Springer Mountain Farms, Ingles of Cornelia, Lead Edge Design Group, and Warbird Coffee. This company donates proceeds to help restore historic aircraft, such as the P-51 Mustang.
Community awareness
“This airport is a little goldmine, and a lot of people don’t even know it’s here,” Dillashaw said. “We wanted to expose the public to what goes on here and the economic impact it brings. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, aviation has something for everyone.”
Aviation Explorers Post 0623 meets the second Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the airport. Membership is open to anyone aged 14–20, although younger children may attend meetings and events with some restrictions.
The event enabled those interested to understand the purpose of Aviation Explorers and explore avenues for involvement.
CLICK HERE for more fly-in photos.
