Last modified: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 3:28 PM CDT OB airport opening up for fly-in, aerial competition By Amanda Compton-Ortiz/amanda@dctribune.com Local residents are encouraged to drive in or fly in for a fun-filled day of aviation activities May 17 at the Olive Branch Airport. The event, dubbed the Olive Branch Airport Fly In and Open House, is being sponsored by the airport, Air Venture Flight Center and Vectair USA in Olive Branch. Scheduled events will be held at the flight center at 11299 Airport Road and include a kickoff 8 a.m. pancake breakfast sponsored by the Olive Branch Lion’s Club, an aerial poker run following at 9 a.m., Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety seminar presented by the FAA Safety team at 11 a.m., Germantown Commissary barbecue lunch sponsored by the flight center and Vectair USA at noon, a survival search and rescue seminar presented by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) at 2 p.m., spot landing and bomb drop competitions at 3 p.m., and a 5 p.m. drawing presented by the CAP for a framed, limited edition print of the Memphis Belle. During World War II, the Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17F number 41-24485, became the first bomber to complete 25 missions over the Third Reich. The print, measuring 25 ½ x 36 inches and valued at $400, depicts the Belle’s fifth and most dangerous mission to Romilly sur Seine France. It was commissioned by the Memphis Belle Memorial Association (MBMA) to commemorate this historic event. The print is one of 1,000 that bears photos and signatures of the entire living crew including chief Joe Giambrone and the Memphis Belle herself Miss Margaret Polk. Two crew members, Vince Evens and Cecil Scott, had passed on at the time of the signing so family members signed on their behalf. The print will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by a MBMA charter member who was present at the signing. The print is currently on display at the flight center. It can also be seen on line at memphisbelle.com and clicking on the cyber/px link under collectibles. Tickets for the print drawing are $5 each and can be purchased from any member of the CAP Olive Branch Composite Squadron or by visiting the flight center at the airport. Proceeds will benefit the Olive Branch CAP, which is currently looking for permanent office space. Members currently meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesday monthly in donated space in the Holiday Crossing Shopping Center on Hacks Cross Road in Olive Branch. Visit www.olivebranchcap.org or call 2nd Lt. Paul Kloehn, IT/public affairs officer of the Olive Branch CAP at (901) 246-7171 for more information. Also at the event, there will be various new and vintage aircraft on display throughout the day. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department will have a helicopter on site and the Olive Branch Fire Department will be bringing a fire truck. Various military and aviation groups will be on hand to provide information for those interested in military- and aviation-oriented careers. The Lion’s Club will also sponsor free eye-screenings, and there will be a moon bounce and other children’s activities. Admission to the event is free. The public is encouraged to bring their families and their lawn chairs. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. Pilots interested in participating in the aerial poker run or competition flights can call the Air Venture Flight Center at (662) 895-9752 or (901) 521-1068 for registration information. For information about the drawing, call Jim Harris, a member of the Memphis Belle Memorial Association’s board of directors, at (901) 383-3104.