Kimberly Blair

pnj.com

Dozens of experimental plane builders and pilots from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and all over the United States are pouring into Pensacola today and tomorrow for the inaugural Thatcher Aircraft International Fly-in.

They're coming here to meet Dave Thatcher, a well-known Pensacola designer and builder of the one-seater CX4 and two-seater CX5 experimental aircraft, a plane that enthusiast around the world are going crazy for.

Think sports cars with wings and propelled by modified Volkswagen engines that are designed to be stylish, safe and affordable for amateur pilots.

Two Aussies, Dean Tompkins and Nick Wright, hitched a ride on a commercial flight to Pensacola today. A friend from Queensland will be arriving on Friday.

"We came because Nick built the first CX4 in Australia to fly, and I'm building one as well," Tompkins said shortly after arriving at Pensacola Aviation. "We are so impressed with the aircraft. The way it was built and designed. We had to come meet Dave and Glen. And we're glad we did."

Glen Bradley, Thatcher's test pilot who also helps him build and maintain his two planes, organized the fly-in and said it's akin to a hot-rod car show.

"Guys who have built the plane show them off and guys who are building them can see finished aircraft," he said.

Pilots from the United States will fly in about eight or nine planes. Sometime on Saturday, Pensacola residents likely will see a formation of them buzzing around the area. Industry magazine reporters are coming in to write about the event, the plane and Thatcher, Bradley said.

They'll also be visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum and other spots around the area.

Thatcher, 83, began designing his planes as a retiree and is building his third CX plane. He has sold more than 60 sets of plans for the two-seater after selling three times as many for his one-seater. He said all the fuss with the fly-in is quite an honor.

"I'm really excited," Thatcher said while hanging out in his hangar with the early arrivers Thursday. "For something that just started out as something for me to do in my old age, it's quite heartwarming. And to think people think this much about the plane to go to the expense to come here from Australia, New Zealand and Canada, blows me out of the park. It's a great tribute for what I've done."