LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Lock Haven Kiwanis President Dave Strouse, second from right, is pictured with, from left, Kevin Kearney, Timothy Chopp and Scott Hinton. The trio spoke about their Douglas C-54 plane during the Kiwanis’ meeting Thursday.
LOCK HAVEN — For Timothy Chopp, Scott Hinton and Kevin Kearney, the 2022 Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven Fly-In is truly, well, sentimental.
The team was hoping to bring the historic Douglas C-54 aircraft named “The Spirit of Freedom” to Lock Haven for this year’s Fly-In, but engine issues prevented them from bringing it this year.
“We are on the books to be here next year,” said Chopp.
Chopp and Hinton were the featured speakers at Thursday’s Lock Haven Kiwanis luncheon, which was held inside a hangar at the Piper Airport.
Chopp talked about returning to Lock Haven and the emotions that come with it.
“It’s a wonderful experience, like a family reunion,” Chopp said. “Even driving on the country roads from the hotel was a very moving experience.”
Chopp doesn’t mince words when he talks about the Fly-In. The uniqueness of the event is not lost on him.
“It’s very much appreciated. To be back where William Piper had his dream and created these fantastic airplanes over the decades, it’s so moving to be back where it all took place,” said Chopp.
For Hinton, Lock Haven has a special place in his heart because his wife is from Lock Haven and attended Lock Haven University.
“I was hoping to bring my wife back with me. We weren’t able to do it this year, but hopefully next year,” Hinton said.
He also lauded those who put the Fly-In together each and every year.
“From my perspective, this is the best event that we do,” Hinton said. “I think it’s not just the history of Piper and what came out of the community. But it’s the event, the Sentimental Journey itself … the grassroots aviation … the passion that’s here.”
According to Hinton, the event means so much that even without the C-54, the trio wanted to get back to Lock Haven one way or another.
“When we lost the airplane and knew we weren’t going to be able to fly in, our conversation turned to ‘how do we still go?’ Because it wasn’t just about the airplane, because we love doing that. This is a great event and we want to keep that relationship moving and going,” Hinton said.
During his speech to the Lock Haven Kiwanis and other local clubs such as Lock Haven Rotary, Hinton joked that he was in Lock Haven for one day and was featured on the front page of The Express. Lightning does indeed strike twice, he said.
“I’ve already started sending her pictures,” Hinton said.
For Kearney, the 2022 Fly-In was his first experience at the event.
“It’s a little overwhelming. The people are great, the history of the area is great … I’m a big history buff. I was through a little of the museum earlier and I’m eager to get through the rest of it. To come here and look at some of these fantastic Piper Airplanes … just fantastic,” Kearney said.
The Fly-In continues through Saturday at the Piper Airport.
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