Texarkana's Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1582 hosted an inaugural fly-in event Saturday with dozens of planes and about 500 enthusiasts at Texarkana Regional Airport.
Twin City Flyers, which puts an emphasis on home-built aircraft, gets together with like-minded aviation enthusiasts from around the area to connect, support, mentor and offer opportunities to fly, according to its website, twincityflyers.com.
"Experimental amateur-built aircraft, often called 'home-builts' because they are typically built in people's garages and basements, are the fastest-growing segment of new aircraft in the United States," the website states. "Amateur-built aircraft are built by individuals and (certified) by the Federal Aviation Administration as 'experimental amateur-built.'"
EAA's mission is to grow participation in aviation and focus on outreach programs such as Young Eagles and Eagle Flights while supporting "affordable pathways to aviation like home-building and sport pilot programs," their Website states.
Young Eagles, or Civil Air Patrol Cadets, ages 12-21 were able to visit with pilots Saturday, learn flight-line marshaling, attend an FAA safety seminar, network and more. This group is affiliated with the Air Force civilian auxiliary.
Dustin Stringer, Texarkana EAA treasurer, said pilots gave about 20 flights, with two kids on each flight. Stringer said he and fellow EAA members hope to have a small air show for the next fly-in event.
Justin Lee, vice president of Chapter 1582, said about 500 people attended and nearly 50 privately owned aircraft came and went throughout the day while members of the public and aviation enthusiasts were able to tour and enjoy the planes.
"The weather was great for today," Stringer said. "There was no turbulence flights were smooth like butter."
Lora Davis, 15, said she's been flying since she was 13 and will be 16 at the end of the month.
Lora-whose father is a pilot and whose grandfather was an Air Force pilot in Korea and Japan-makes up the third generation of pilots in her family.
Lora hopes to become a commercial pilot one day, she said, and was able to take flight on a plane Saturday that was practicing aerobatic maneuvers. Her favorite was the loops, she said.
"It was really a lot of fun," Lora said. "We did a half Cuban, four-point roll, loops and a hammerhead."
Lora's mother, Mandy Davis, said she's proud of her daughter.
"I'm a big chicken," Mandy Davis said, laughing. "We've met so many other women who are pilots, and they just take you under their wing."
Big Jakes Bar-B-Que fed the hungry young pilots, and Red River Army Depot came out to help, Lee said.
Civil Air Patrol Senior Member and 1st Lt. Kayla Sartor said she helped out with a lot of the flight line marshaling and traffic coming in and out of the parking lot.
"I was making sure everyone was safe and that everyone gets to go home today," Sartor said.
Sartor said she was invested in the program to help teach kids interested in aviation.
"The kids are the ones who their experience here can go with them," Sartor said. "They get a lot of experience," and the experience is important.
Lee said those interested in joining Twin City Flyers can visit them on Facebook or check out twincityflyers.com. The organization is open to all ages.