The Bristow Chapter of Experimental Aircraft Association is very pleased with the turn-out at its annual fundraiser Fly-In Pancake Breakfast and Car Show. Even though the weather dampened spirits early on, the attendance pickup up around 9 a.m. as the sun started peeking through the clouds.
Unfortunately the winds were too high to launch the hot air balloon, and the Okmulgee Life Flight helicopter was on an emergency call, the fundraiser still was a great success. The car show participation was awesome. The show was headed up by Bristow’s own John Longacre, accompanied by Ted Runt, David Riise, Chris and Melissa Chandler, Adam Estel, Joey Varner, MJ and Buddy Essary, among others.
Joey Varner dazzled the crowd with a spellbinding display of his agricultural drone piloting skills. Varner’s drones carry twenty gallons of ag spray for weed control in difficult areas to access, such as wet or rugged pasture. Also in participation were Paul and Carol Konrath, Dr. Vicky Roth, Vicky Wilson, Rick and Bonnie Ferguson, Lou Malinchak and Milley Ikara, Several young members of the community were there to help with directing traffic, cooking, and serving food. A big shout out to David Barnett and the First Church of God for mixing the pancake batter. Barnett possesses a mastery of the art of pancake mixology. His secret, yet coveted, recipe for scrumptious pancakes is a closely guarded secret. A big help was Whisky Van Oscar, a/k/a Warren VanOrsdol who manned the introduction table all morning VanOrsdol has been a cornerstone member of the organization from the very beginning.
Pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, tea and orange juice were in ample supply and the awesome community donated $1,417.00. The proceeds will help pay for the EAA’s insurance and administrative costs for 2026.
The Bristow EAA provides , through the experimental aircraft association’s young Eagles program, an introduction to aviation opportunities, both occupational and recreational. Each attending young person receives a twenty minute airplane ride.
The EAA would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone that made this fundraiser a great success.