MidCoast Regional Airport (MRA) played host to a soaring inaugural event on Saturday, May 28.

Sean Heath, of Heath Aviation LLC, the fixed based operations manager of MRA, hosted the fly-in. The event focused on past and currently serving aircraft and raised money for the Mighty Eighth Museum in Pooler while also showing appreciation to military members and their families.

Many types of aircraft were on display, including the MX2, Heath’s own Boeing Stearman, a Cessna 172, a Yak 52, a Piper Warrior, a Piper Cub, a Pitts Plane and a Nanchang CJ-6. A B-17 performed a fly-by, and a B-25 landed at the airport. There was also a raffle for the chance to ride in one of the prestigious planes.

Heath manages MRA for the city, the county and the development authority. He also has three flight schools that operate daily.

Heath said he was grateful and appreciative for Saturday’s turnout for many reasons and especially for the support shown for service members.

“We’d like to show our support for the military,” he said. “We’d like to see the community grow an interest in aviation.”

Members of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society also were present and shared information about aviation, and they had high hopes for the future of the event.

“We hope to make it bigger and better,” said Andy Steigmeier, executive board president. “It’s a learning experience, and for sure, it’ll be bigger and better next year.”

George Springer, vice-president on the executive board, shared the history of many of the planes, specifically the Stearman.

“Those were primary trainers in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II,” he said.

Springer said the idea for the event materialized after he and Heath chatted about doing something to benefit the museum.

“He says, ‘Let’s do a fly-in, and let’s have a benefit for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth,’” Springer said. “Every penny goes to the Mighty Eighth, towards expansion of the museum. It goes towards STEM education. It goes towards everything that will help the museum.”

Several contributors were at the event and were given special thanks: Savannah Aviation; Mid-Coast Aviation Services; MX Aircraft Company; the Red Star Pilots Association; the Liberty County Development Authority board of directors and staff; Liberty County; the City of Hinesville; Jesse Willett, Wright Army Airfield manager; all pilots; Dr. Daniel Green of Wayne Memorial Hospital; Leopold’s Ice Cream; and Mission 22 Resources.