Planes, parachutes, brisket and burgers: Annual Fly-In draws pilots, enthusiasts, spectators

The Shelter Island Pilots Association held its annual Fly-In on Saturday at Klenawicus Field, a gathering of some three dozen small aircraft in all colors and sizes, delighting the crowd of aviation enthusiasts, families with small children and pet owners strolling their dogs alongside the verdant stretch of the airstrip.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the pilots would land their planes every few minutes, gliding along the 1,700-foot grass airstrip as smoothly as pulling a car into the driveway at home, then parking in neat rows alongside the strip and down to Burns Road at the far end. The event was postponed from its original date, Oct. 17, due to the forecast for high winds, putting safety first. Saturday morning’s weather began crisp and cold, with frost on the ground, then bathed the Island in warm sunshine as the day went on. “It was CAVU,” said Pilots Association president Jaime Cogan, using the aviators’ term for Clear Air Visibility Unlimited.

The Fly-In was dedicated to Huson “Hoot” Sherman, who was Town Supervisor and helped negotiate the agreement between the Pilots Association, the Town of Shelter Island and Suffolk County for the airfield, after the death of owner Frank Klenawicus. Mr. Sherman attended the event clad in the perfect attire, a plaid flannel shirt to ward off the chill, embroidered with the silhouette of the Island on the front and a picture of an airplane with “Klenawicus Aero NY03, Shelter Island” on the back.

He said he was surprised by the honor, and impressed by the turnout.”It just kind of happens,” he said. “It’s so Shelter Island.”  

The event, while having the feel of an airshow plus community picnic, was also a fundraiser for the association, a nonprofit that cares for the well-manicured airfield, while working toward future goals. Through sales of commemorative shirts and tickets for a hearty barbecue lunch, the aim was to support the installation of a landing pad for medevac helicopters to use in emergencies, and to establish an after-school STEM program on the Island to train future mechanics and aviators. Judith Lechmanski, a volunteer helping out, said young Islanders, including members of her family, were already taking flying lessons. “You can get a pilot’s license before you can get a driver’s license,” she said. 

The youngest visitors to the field on Saturday needed no encouragement. Toddler Kalani Smith made sure that dad Ben knew which planes they should check out next, and which ones after that. In addition to the brightly colored planes of all kinds, there were impressive models, not toys but perfect miniatures of the real thing. And for the younger guests, there was a table stocked with the traditional balsa wood templates and bright markers to assemble and color their own models.

As if the array of the shiny, colorful “birds” weren’t enough, there was a Thunderbird convertible, a vintage Pontiac Firebird, a 1912 Fire Chief’s car and antique Shelter Island fire engines along with other classic cars. Topping off the event, a plane disgorged three parachutists overhead, thrilling the crowd as they swirled toward the ground, drawing cheers for their impressive speed and, thankfully, accuracy, as they literally hit the ground running along the airstrip. 

Maureen Conway McCartin, attending with her husband, Bill, recalled the Island’s aviation tradition at Westmoreland, where she grew up, with several local pilots using airstrips there just as they do now at Klenawicus. “I had my first plane ride when I was 3,” she said. “Our neighbor Bob Reilly gave me a ride. For the kids, going up and down in his plane behind the cow pasture was like going out for ice cream.” Ms. McCartin’s father and brothers had planes, as did Mr. Reilly and the neighboring Havey family. “Agnes Havey had a Powder Puff Derby, where she invited her fellow female pilots to have their own fly-in,” she recalled. 

Ms. McCartin also remembered when Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and his wife Ethel flew into Westmoreland for a visit with Democratic leader James Roe Sr. “All the kids lined up to meet Bobby. I still remember my outfit which I quickly changed so I could get another up-close look at my hero,” she said.

The Westmoreland airstrip is now preserved from development by its owners, the Roe family, and only used for emergency helicopter medical evacuations.

The Klenawicus airstrip is still going strong, though, and “hasn’t looked so good in years,” according to Shelter Island pilot Stuart Schechter, who credits Jaime Cogan for its improved appearance. Mr. Cogan, in addition, served brisket, burgers, macaroni and cheese and more to most of the estimated 200 guests, who lined up to share the festive meal in brilliant sunshine.

Mr. Schechter said he enjoyed flying in and out of Klenawicus Field so much that when he saw a house for sale on nearby Cartwright Road, he bought it and now lives there. “I’ve been coming here 20 years,” he said. “It’s important to keep everyone involved,” he said, and keep the field as open space.“This is Heaven for a pilot.” 

A sign on the airfield provides all the information pilots need: “Welcome to Klenawicus Airfield. Elevation 55 feet. Touch-and-go landings are PROHIBITED. Landing fee $15. Overnight tie-down fee $15 per day. Remember, you are now on Shelter Island time.”