Imperial County, CA - The community gathered at the Imperial County Airport this past weekend for the third annual Wally Hale Aviation Day. The event, dedicated to the memory of local pilot and flight instructor Wally Hale, successfully introduced nearly 90 young residents to the world of aviation before concluding early due to a mechanical incident involving a participating aircraft.
The event is a collaborative effort between the Imperial County aviation community, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program, and local sponsors. It serves as a tribute to Wally Hale, who was widely known for his passion for sharing the joy of flying with children. His son, Ben Hale, shared that his father loved the event because “it gave him the opportunity to share his love of flying with the community, especially with kids.”
Peggy Price, Chairwoman of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors for District 3, described the event as “a beautiful experience and a great opportunity for so many children.” She noted that there were 80 pre-registered participants and 10 walk-ins, all of whom were able to experience flight thanks to local pilots and volunteers, including some from outside the area.
The event was cut short following an incident involving a single-engine airplane that experienced a landing gear issue when the front gear failed to deploy. Lt. Col. Mark Nicholson of the Civil Air Patrol explained that mechanical issues such as this are known to occur and that airport personnel and pilots are trained to respond appropriately.
Nicholson outlined the standard procedure, which includes flying overhead to confirm instrument readings and attempting to manually lower the landing gear in a designated practice area. He praised the coordinated response, stating that “the Imperial County Airport did a great job handling the situation,” adding that fire and rescue crews were prepared and ready. He emphasized that the incident demonstrated how well-equipped the airport is to manage emergencies.
Event organizers and county officials emphasized that the situation was handled professionally and safely. They extended their appreciation to law enforcement, first responders, and emergency services personnel for their quick and effective response.
Despite the early conclusion, the focus of the day remained on the positive impact made on local students. David Oshack, a 17-year-old high school senior and EAA Young Eagles volunteer, shared how meaningful the event has been for him. He explained that “events like this open up so many opportunities in the world of aviation.”
Oshack shared that through a previous Aviation Day event, he met a pilot who later connected him with a scholarship. He was recently awarded that scholarship, has begun flight training, and expects to earn his pilot’s license within the next few months. He credited the event, coordinated by Robbie Phillips, with helping open doors for young people interested in aviation.
The Civil Air Patrol Squadron 499 was also on site to provide aerospace education. Lt. Col. Nicholson noted that the program offers aviation, aerospace education, and leadership training for youths ages 12 to 21. The local squadron meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Imperial County Airport terminal, with new sessions beginning January 22.