WACO 100th Anniversary fly in

[Yankee Doodle]

Thinking about attending this, has anyone shot this Flying exhibition? If so is it worth the trip and are there favorable shooting locations? Thanks.

[kalamazookid]

I'm planning to be there. WACO Field is a great place, easy and low key atmosphere. Grass runway that runs north/south, so early morning shooting of flight ops will likely be somewhat dependent on wind direction. The event is on the west side of the airport, so shooting conditions improve as the day goes on. You can walk around everything and set up pretty much anywhere you want. About the only place you couldn't go was on the actual runway. I didn't even bother with a chair the last time I went. There were some great food truck options last time I went if you're into that sort of thing.

There was pretty consistent flight action when I went, with aircraft constantly coming and going, though not many formal passes. There was a "Parade of WACOs" on the schedule that didn't take place for some reason. There were plenty of vintage aircraft present in addition to the WACOs. The Grimes Flying Lab Beech 18 typically shows up for some passes but doesn't land. If you like vintage aircraft in a low-key, fly-in setting, it's a fun event.

I'm guessing there will be more people this year given the major anniversary celebration and that may change some of the above depending on how many WACOs they are expecting. I don't know of any specific changes however. I have heard 75+ WACOs could be in attendance, but that was as of a couple months ago and I don't know if that has changed one way or another. If they get even half that, it will be a special gathering IMO.

[Adambadger88]

This is going to be a fun fly in. However, people have to decide if they are either attending the final Reno Air Races at Reno Stead or the 100th anniversary of Waco fly-in as both will be held during the same time.

[dzirzow]

anyone have updates?

[kalamazookid]

Pretty much everything you'd need to know is on the museum website:

https://www.wacoairmuseum.org/

The one thing I'm not sure about is if there is on-site parking. In the past there has been, but the site only lists shuttle lots.

[kalamazookid]

Fun day! As of when I left at 3:30 p.m., they had registered 45 WACOs. Always love spending time around the antiques, and this reminds me I need to get to Blakesburg or Brodhead one of these years.

Small selection of photos below. Full gallery here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAV5d4