Photos: Food and flying at the Lincoln Airport Open House

Jeff Brecoe, a hangar owner at the Lincoln Airport who lives in Helena, talks to people attending the open house about the importance of the airport to the community during the annual Lincoln Airport Open House and Barbecue, Saturday, July 24.

Jeff Brecoe talks to people attending the open house.Brecoe, who is also the FAA's flight safety district officer, said that while the airport isn't a jet port that brings in money, the airport plays a key role in fire suppression during fire seasons as well as in supporting the community financially. Brecoe also made it appoint to recognized the role Jerry Cain has played in keeping the Lincoln airport together over the years.

The Mercy flight helicopter from Great Falls, kicks up a bit of dust as guests watch it take off for its return flight, as the event began to wind down Saturday afternoon.

Pilot Tom Stanton asters kids quetsioms about the Civil Air Patrol. Stanton and fellw CAP member Bruce Parks made the trip up to Lincoln from Helena. Parks said interest in the Civil Air patrol was higher thane expected. "You think about samller airfields, you don't know what to expect," he said. Although it's hard to track how many CAP cadets go on to become pilots, Park said it's a great way for kids with an interest in aviation to start.

An airplane takes off into the smoky sky following the open house.