Second-generation pilot chairs Fly-In
Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In Chairman Tim Jarrett and his Piper Cub
Lewis Jarrett was a pilot for the Tulsa Tribune newspaper when his son, Tim, was a youngster. Tim would climb in the plane with his father on assignments, opening up a wide world of experiences not only in the air, but also on the ground.
In 1982, Lewis bought a Piper Cub and started teaching Tim some of the elementary rules of flying. Later he earned his wings through an instructor at Harvey Young Airport in Tulsa, where the Jarretts kept (and still do) their plane.
Tim started coming to the Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In with his father in the early years of the event, still flying the 1946 J3 Cub.
“I flew with him until the day he died (October 2008),” said Tim, who is chairman of the 75th Anniversary Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 15, at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch northeast of Oologah. That means he is the “go-to” guy for pilots who come from Oklahoma and surrounding states for the event, which honors the dedication of Will and Wiley to aviation.
Last year Tim assisted longtime Fly-In leader Dale Frakes, who died this spring.
Tim flies the family plane often and takes gentle care of it. This summer he flew his three-year-old grandson for the first time as he has the older grandchildren, hoping for a third generation of flying and Will Rogers’ enthusiasts.
Tim cut his teeth not only on flying, but also on Will Rogers, learning early from his father the story of Will and Wiley and their adventures in the air.
The Fly-In offers an opportunity for spectators to get a close-up view of planes and visit with pilots. Pilots enjoy fellowship with others of like interests. Air Evac ambulance helicopter has been invited to bring a chopper so visitors can see the service they offer in Rogers County. Air Evac is based at Claremore Regional Airport.
Tim said the Broken Arrow Civil Air Patrol, under direction of Capt. Kelli McBride, squadron commander, will help marshal planes to parking spots after landing.
Activities on the grounds at the Ranch will include Classic and Antique Car Show, food concessions, inflatable amusements for children, Cherokee Storyteller Robert Lewis under the shade trees near the barn with story time at 10 and 11 a.m. and noon. Julian Myrick will be under the shade trees near the landing strip with music. The birthplace house is open daily for tours.
Bring your lawn chair to pick a place in the shade to watch planes come in and listen to music or Cherokee stories.
At 4 p.m. the same day, memorial tributes will be held simultaneously at Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore; Will Rogers Historic Park and Ranch in California; Barrow, Alaska, combined with a run from the crash site into Barrow; and at the Wiley Post burial monument at Oklahoma City Memorial Park Cemetery.