PUC & Angwin Airport DART Co-Host The Air Expo

On June 2, Pacific Union College and the Angwin Airport chapter of the Disaster Airlift Response Team (DART) hosted the Air Expo at the Angwin Airport. The Air Expo promoted PUC’s aviation program, called attention to the DART services and emergency fire and rescue services available, and brought people together to share the fun of aviation.

Admission was free, allowing attendees to view planes, helicopters, and fire trucks and climb on a rock wall made by PUC. Breakfast and lunch were available for $5 each (with other treats available for purchase), and plane rides with instructors from PUC’s aviation program were $10.

PUC aviation students helped marshall planes, cook breakfast, and drive visitors from the parking lot to the airport. Personnel from Mike’s Aero maintenance department were also involved with cooking, flying, and keeping the event safe.

It is believed that the first major fly-in was on June 16, 1963, with over 30 aircraft joined by hundreds of people from the community and valley. This event honored Mrs. Anna Stahl and her late husband by dedicating the first missionary aircraft, a brand new Helo Courier, to be flown worldwide by the Adventist church.

This event was the first Air Expo at the Angwin airport since the early 2000s. PUC Executive Director of Financial Administration Sam Heier and Vice President for Financial Administration Joy Hirdler worked with DART representatives; Matt Russell from the Angwin Fire Department, Cal Fire, and PUC facilities and enrollment collaborated since last fall to make this event happen.

Over 500 people flew or drove to the event, and 130 people took the opportunity to fly in a plane. One family from Sacramento, CA, read about the Air Expo on social media and was enticed by the inexpensive plane ride. Having never been on a plane before, the family enjoyed the experience.

“I was really proud of PUC, DART, and everyone who showed up—some of whom had to wait for an hour or two for their flight since the interest was high,” said Hirdler. “Everyone seemed to love the event! There was a great spirit of fun and adventure at the airport.”