Airport open house hits high note

Fair skies drew upward of 1,200 people to the Ramona Airport Open House Saturday, nearly doubling last year’s attendance, according to organizers.

“Good weather treated the Ramona Airport Open House,” said event spokesman Eric Nelson. “The event was well-attended and the staff received many compliments from members of the community.”

Another high note at this year’s event was a special appearance by former fighter pilot Alfonso Harris, who graduated from the groundbreaking Tuskegee airmen school in 1945.

“He proved to be quite a crowd pleaser,” said Nelson, adding that many attendees stood in line just to shake hands with one of the country’s first black military pilots.

The open house, which was presented by San Diego County Airports, also included control tower tours, food, a kids zone, and vintage and modern aircraft on display on the ground and in the air.

Tim Meissner traveled from San Diego and was not disappointed as he sat in the cockpit of a 1958 MIG-17F.

“It’s just amazing,” said Meissner.

Ramona brothers Sammy Gilmore, 9, and Maddox, 3, were also all smiles as they sat in a small private aircraft built over the course of several years by Ken Holcomb.

“We enjoy the open house,” said Holcomb of the aviation enthusiasts who use the airport on a regular basis. “The future of aviation is with the kids, and so the exposure with the kids is important.”

Ramona Airport was started as a Navy airstrip in 1943 and was taken over by the county of San Diego in 1956. It serves as the Air Attack Base for Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service. It is also home to several fixed base operators and to the Classic Rotors, the world’s only helicopter museum with operational aircraft.

To learn more about the Ramona Airport, visit www.sdcountyairports.com or call 760-788-3366.