At the Lyon County Fly-In and Air Fest

When your first name is Sky and you took your first plane ride at age 3, it only seems natural that you are addicted to flying.

But this weekend Sky Sarosi is grounded, making sure the more than 50 pilots flying in for the Lyon County Fly-In are safe. Sarosi, the operations chief at Silver Springs Airport - where the event is being held - is in charge of managing the flight line and keeping the runways clear and operating.

"If you are excited about something, it's never nerve-racking," Sarosi said. "I just have a big love for this."

The fly-in, now in its 11th year, began as the Fernley Fly-in until the event outgrew the Fernley Airport and was moved to the expanded airport in Silver Springs. Organizers expect more than 5,000 spectators to attend.

The theme for the fly-in is a salute to the women of aviation and members of the High Sierra Chapter of the 99s, an international society of female pilots.

Visitors looking to the skies will see war-bird displays, fly-overs by Navy F18 fighters from Fallon Naval Air Station and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center and Naval Search and Rescue demonstrations.

"We have added a UH1 Huey helicopter from Fallon doing a helicopter rescue demonstration, and there will be a P51 Mustang fighter from World War II on hand," said Maxine Nietz of the Arlington Group.

The Arlington Group, in coordination with the Silver Springs Airport, organizes the event.

Sarosi said he is looking forward to the four Czechoslovakian jets that will be participating. They were brought to the United States and are now owned by civilians.

"Having these jets fly in will be a huge highlight of the show," Sarosi said.

The fly-in kicks off both days with a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. The cost is $5 except for pilots, who eat free. The International Chili Society Chili Cook-off begins at noon on Saturday.

On the ground, 24 vendors will sell crafts and food items, and a military bomb-sniffing robot will be providing demonstrations.

The Experimental Aircraft Association will be offering free first flights to children ages 8-17 as part of the Young Eagles program.

The program is designed to get children interested in aviation, engineering, and all aspects of flying. Approximately 150 children took part in the program in 2005.

Nietz advises bringing a lawn chair.

"The best part for me is on Saturday during the middle of the day. I can just stand off to the side and watch the crowd enjoying what is going on," Nietz said. "That's the best part - knowing people are having a good time."

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

What: Lyon County Fly-In and Air Fest

When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pancake breakfast is 7-10 a.m. both days

Where: Silver Springs/Lyon County Regional Airport, one mile west of the intersection of highways 50 and Alternate 95 in Silver Springs

Cost: $5 per car including parking. The pancake breakfast is also $5, but is free for pilots

information: Call

465-0095 or go to www.lyoncountyflyin.com