The Longmont Airport Expo 2009 was held on August 29, 2009 to honor Cole Kugel, who was instrumental in the founding of the airport, and to celebrate its aviation history.
Cole made his last flight at the age of 100. He was the oldest qualified pilot in the world, as documented in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records.
The
one-day fly-in event attracted many types of aircraft, ranging from antique
to turbo-jets. It featured aircraft fly-bys and aerobatic demonstrations.
A sky diving demonstration was also presented, and antique cars and motorcycles
were exhibited.
Today, the Longmont airport , which is home to 14 businesses, provides a variety
of aviation services ranging from flight training and skydiving to aircraft
production, aircraft maintenance and aircraft charter service.
There are currently over 300 private and business aircraft based at the airport. The facility also provides a base for forestry fire fighting support, medical transportation, aerial mapping and surveying, law enforcement and infrastructure inspection.
Special
thanks to Dick Bevington for his knowledgeable contribution to this story.
He identified many of the aircraft and provided information about the planes
and their pilots. Dick is a retired USAF Lt. Col., a retired UAL 747 Captain,
a former NAFI master aerobatic instructor, and the chief pilot at Vance Brand
Airport’s Air West.
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