Oldest Fly-in Breakfast Club in U.S. to Land in Greenville
On the morning of Sunday,
September 30th, The South Carolina Breakfast Club will be landing at the
Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU). They have
been traveling to airports, in and right around South Carolina, since 1938,
ceasing meetings only during WW II when there were restrictions on aviation
fuel. The club has no dues, no attendance
requirements and no bylaws; they have just one rule “Safety First”. Breakfast is about $6 a plate and is ready at
about 9am. It’s that simple.
“It has been
at least 6 or 7 years, maybe longer, since they have visited GMU,” stated Sonny
Massey, Air Traffic Control Tower Manager at GMU. “We are so happy they have chosen GMU for
their September 30th event. I have been
a member since 2000 and I am not a pilot.
Everyone who likes planes is welcome!” Massey said.
“In 1962, I attended my first meeting at the
Anderson County Airport,” stated Hank Brown, Owner of Greenville Jet
Center. “The club has a tradition of awarding
a bouncy ball to the pilot with the worst landing. Well the day I went, there was really bad
weather so everyone drove in. Can you
believe I got awarded the ball at my first meeting! I guess they didn’t like my parking job!”
Brown joked. “I have attended, and even
hosted, many over the years and it’s just a great bunch of men and women who come
together for friendship and to promote an interest in flying” Brown added.
“Club
President, Gerald Ballard out of Twin Lakes, has been President for a very long
time and I cannot think of a better person to head this up and represent this
crowd. The bowling bag is what he has used for years and years to carry not
only the bouncy ball but also gifts for the woman who flew the farthest, a cute
little alarm clock, and for the man who flew the farthest, a leather SCBC belt,”
stated Valerie Anderson, a SCBC member and event photographer.
“The events usually end with a raffle off of the donated $1 "landing fees". Gerald is very dramatic when reading out the number because as soon as the winner is announced, the place becomes a ghost town. You will never see so many people leave so fast. It's not that they stopped having a good time - it's just that they don't want to wait behind a bunch of other airplanes trying to leave,” stated Anderson. “In the summer, people like to get home before the inevitable summer storms that pop up in the afternoon,” Anderson added.
“The events usually end with a raffle off of the donated $1 "landing fees". Gerald is very dramatic when reading out the number because as soon as the winner is announced, the place becomes a ghost town. You will never see so many people leave so fast. It's not that they stopped having a good time - it's just that they don't want to wait behind a bunch of other airplanes trying to leave,” stated Anderson. “In the summer, people like to get home before the inevitable summer storms that pop up in the afternoon,” Anderson added.
“Tell
everyone who likes aviation to fly in or drive in and join us for a great home
cooked southern breakfast with great fellowship,” stated Steve Sanderson, a
SCBC Member and the club’s current point of contact. “If people just want to come and see all the
planes arrive and depart, we will be arriving at the Runway Cafe’s apron before
9 and will be leaving around 11”, stated Sanderson, “If it’s a nice day you
could even come to the Runway Cafe for a very early lunch and watch the planes
take off! The number of planes that come
is very dependent on the weather,” added Sanderson.
“If you like aviation, also make sure to attend the Southeast Aviation Expo being held that same weekend, but on Friday, September 28th and Saturday, September 29th,” stated Joe Frasher, Airport Director of GMU. “The expo will have over 35 companies showcasing their aviation products and services, more than 13 aircraft will be on display and there will be many interesting educational sessions that you can attend,” Frasher noted.
The South Carolina Breakfast Club has been flying to airports in and around South Carolina since 1938. For more information please visit http://www.flyscbc.com/ or call 803-446-0214 or email info@flyscbc.com
“If you like aviation, also make sure to attend the Southeast Aviation Expo being held that same weekend, but on Friday, September 28th and Saturday, September 29th,” stated Joe Frasher, Airport Director of GMU. “The expo will have over 35 companies showcasing their aviation products and services, more than 13 aircraft will be on display and there will be many interesting educational sessions that you can attend,” Frasher noted.
The South Carolina Breakfast Club has been flying to airports in and around South Carolina since 1938. For more information please visit http://www.flyscbc.com/ or call 803-446-0214 or email info@flyscbc.com
For more
information about the Southeast Aviation Expo, please visit www.scaaonline.com
The
Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is the busiest general aviation airport in
South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that
doesn't rely on local taxpayers for funding. GMU is home to Greenville Jet
Center, the largest Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in S.C., as well as more than 25
other aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute
more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy.
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