Lincoln Airport a safe haven in a storm

The storm that first moved into Montana on Saturday, June 16 forced six aircraft to land at Lincoln Airport on Sunday and one on Monday due to the local passes over the Continental Divide being clouded in.

Five aircraft arrived from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association regional fly-in at Missoula, one arrived from Johnson Creek, Idaho, and one arrived from Sisters, Ore. One aircraft was headed for Great Falls, two aircraft for Casper, Wyo., one aircraft for Fort Peck, one aircraft for Fort Collins, Colo. and two aircraft for Minnesota. 

Lincoln's Jerry Cain met the flights at Lincoln Airport  and assisted the 14 occupants in finding lodging, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, and other businesses in town, as well as providing transportation locally and to Great Falls for one couple needing to get there for a medical appointment. One aircraft left Tuesday morning. The remaining six aircraft left Wednesday morning with one of the pilots giving a bicyclist who is riding from coast to coast a lift over to Lewistown since Highway 200 was closed east of Lincoln due to flooding.

During their stay the occupants patronized the local businesses giving an unexpected boost to the Lincoln economy.

All were thankful the Lincoln Airport provided a safe haven and enjoyed their brief stay in the community. Cain even recruited three of the pilots to become Pilots N Paws (www.pilotsnpaws.org) volunteers to transport rescued animals from rescues across the nation to no-kill shelters and forever homes.

Several pilots said they intend to return to Lincoln for the airport open house July 28 and other Lincoln events and attractions.