Cubs To Gather in California

Great events are known for putting even the tiniest towns on the map and this weekend the historic Piper Cub is expected to bring a touch of notoriety back to Lompoc, California — beside nearby Vandenberg AFB of course — when the airport (KLPC) hosts the 33rd West Coast Fly-In beginning this Friday. Running until Sunday, organizers expect aircraft arrivals from across the United States.

Free to visitors, more than 100 antique airplanes are expected to attend, including dozens of the little yellow fabric-covered taildraggers. The single-runway event includes historic events like flour bombing and spot landing contests. Dozens of Cub souvenirs will be available for purchase, all of which relate to the Cub Piper built between 1937 and 1947.

The annual Lompoc event was first organized by local Piper Cub pilots Bruce Fall and the late Monty Findley who wanted to be part of a fly-in closer to their home. In the 70s, Piper was still hosting an annual Cub fly-in at the factory in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The Lompoc Fly-In organizers claim it’s the largest and longest running event of its kind.