Traffic at the Emporia Municipal Airport was a bit higher than normal Saturday thanks to a combination of both aviation and car enthusiasts.
The airport hosted its annual Wings and Wheels show, welcoming hundreds of residents, car enthusiasts, and pilots for a day filled with activities. Airport Director Ken Adams says the main purpose of the event, hosted in partnership with the Emporia Flying Club, Flatland Cruisers, and Experimental Aircraft Association, is twofold: to instill a passion in aviation in younger residents and to showcase the airport to the community.
Adams says both pieces are important because many people are not highly aware of the benefits of either, noting the aviation field is one with tremendous opportunities.
As for the airport itself, Adams says he hopes the event will instill a sense of pride in residents, noting it is a great resource to have and one that he and his staff take great pride in.
As part of the activities, children were able to take advantage of free airplane rides courtesy of Young Eagle Airplane. Assistant Airport Manager Julian Seaman says this is a further opportunity to instill a passion in aviation in younger individuals, while also showing them there are several levels to the field beyond just flying commercial airlines.
As always, the show also featured a great display of classic cars. When asked why it makes sense to combine cars with airplanes and helicopters, Seaman says that many aviation enthusiasts are also car lovers, and vice versa. Therefore, anything with an engine will always be welcome and appreciated.
Click here for a YouTube Short from Saturday’s activities
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.
