Rocky Mountain Invitational Aerobatic Meet Underway at Lamar Airport

Okay, pop the clutch!

The planes are back for another year.  This weekend through Sunday, September 16, a host of airplanes will be competing in the annual Rocky Mountain Invitational at the Lamar Municipal Airport. 

Chris Conley said planes from the Colorado Springs Chapter of the International Aerobatic Chapter fly down to Lamar about this time each year for friendly competition.  The Air Force Academy from Colorado Springs is also back for another year of flights, as witnessed Friday afternoon as the gliders were towed aloft and released by the motorized planes.  There are usually two classes of gliders, those used for distance and for altitude.  Last year’s weather conditions were a little too breezy in early October, but calm winds prevailed on Friday and sunny and calm conditions have been forecast through Sunday. 

It will be a busy weekend in the region with activities in Hasty, Granada and in Lamar, but there should be time in your schedule to come out to the Lamar Airport for a brief view of some truly classic and unique aircraft, on the ground and close-up. 

Chris Conley said the airport is also hosting the annual YAK-52 convention next weekend for a different sort of aircraft viewing.

By Russ Baldwin