The skies over Habersham County and Baldwin will be a little busier this Saturday, April 26. Local pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and families will gather at the Habersham County Airport for a unique fly-in and pancake breakfast hosted by the Habersham County Aviation Explorers Post 0623.
From 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. or until the pancakes run out, visitors are invited to enjoy a hot breakfast, explore aircraft up close, and even take to the skies in free discovery flights offered to young attendees. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds supporting the Aviation Explorers, a local youth aviation group affiliated with Scouting America.
“This is our first attempt at an event like this,” said Bill Dillashaw, one of the group’s organizers. “We’ve been to other fly-ins and were invited to observe one at Jackson County Airport recently. Now it’s our turn to bring the aviation community together here in Habersham.”
The cost of the breakfast is a $10 donation. However, Dillashaw said any donation would be accepted and no one will be turned away. According to him, it’s not about the money but about aviation and community.
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), they operate independently and are co-ed.
“We don’t wear uniforms. We’ve got both young men and young ladies attending, and we meet once a month at the airport,” Dillashaw said. “We do field trips, bring in guest speakers from all over the aviation industry, and really try to give our members a complete view of the aviation world.”
Saturday’s event will feature a pancake and sausage breakfast along with coffee and juice, thanks to several local sponsors including Springer Mountain Farms, Ingles of Cornelia, Lead Edge Design Group, and Warbird Coffee—a company that donates proceeds to help restore historic aircraft like the P-51 Mustang.
Pilots from around the region will fly in to participate, and some will offer free flights for youth. A signed waiver by a parent or guardian is required for those wishing to fly. Attendees can also tour aircraft, talk with pilots, and learn more about the operations and opportunities at the Habersham County Airport.
Community awareness
“This airport is a little goldmine, and a lot of people don’t even know it’s here,” Dillashaw said. “We want 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 ages 14–20, but younger children can attend meetings and events with restrictions.
For more information about the fly-in breakfast (click here), Aviation Explorers (click here), or how to get involved, just head to the Habersham County Airport this Saturday, April 26—and don’t forget your appetite.
The Habersham County Airport is located at 1112 Airport Road in Baldwin.
