Everyday of our lives is a gift, a precious gift. Every strong positive relationship and attraction in our lives is a gift.Every aviation event is a gift in our lives. The 21st Annual Biplane Expo at Bartlesville on May 31, June 1 and 2 was an exceptional gift!

While it wasn’t without some small challenges in the form of Mother Nature, the Expo was truly exceptional.

Our Guest of Honor, General Steve Ritchie came, and conquered. He made us proud to be who we are; he made us proud to be of our generation; he made us proud of our rich heritage. In every way, he made us extremely proud to be Americans. In our present political climate we have many national personalities who dwell on the negatives and never seem to recognize this greatest of countries for whom and what we are. General Steve Ritchie extolled our virtues, our accomplishments and our aspirations, he carried the mantle of inspiration to all of us; he personifies the real America. He was an extraordinary guest.

The Wednesday afternoon Volunteer Appreciation Party brought out not only a grand bunch of Expo volunteers, it brought out cheers and applause for each and every biplane as they arrived during that afternoon sun.

As the American Barnstormers Tour airplanes began arriving, we began placing them in a rounded cluster on the south edge of the taxiway across from the large food tent. Those who had not seen the ABT airplanes before were amazed at the quality and show-class appearance of the Tour biplanes… they are outstanding!

Clay Adams and Gary Lust and their 1929 Travel Air 4000s couldn’t have been happier if they had been Slim Lindbergh and Bud Gurney and their Jennies in 1923 and 1924 in the rural America. The ride patrons were literally standing in line to get a chance to ride in the legendary Travel Airs. While Friday had been a busy ride day, Saturday was hot turn day with constant flying. The NBA’s biplane ride program made a lot of people very happy!

The 2007 Edition of The Biplane Expo was at its exciting best. By late Saturday morning the weather was beautiful … the sky was bright blue, the sun was shining down on us, the field was full of biplanes, the public was everywhere, the PA announcements and Expo style music was ongoing, the ramp was full of airplanes, the food tent was filled to capacity with old friends having lunch, talking biplanes, old times, good times, friendships, and the pure joy of grassroots aviation.

The biplanes were exceptional. Any number of prior Grand Champions, Reserve Grand Champions and other award winning airplanes were on the field. The biplanes had come from California, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Idaho, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and other points of the country.

Although our total biplane numbers of 56 were down a bit because of the weather challenges in Texas, to the east, and to the north, and even close to Bartlesville, the biplane quality was never better and the camaraderie never closer. Our 83 non-biplanes helped fill the field and bring the total airplanes that came to the Expo at 139.

The 21st Annual was a great success, a truly fitting tribute to the everlasting legacy of the biplane configured aircraft and an exceptional credit to all in attendance who made the 2007 Edition of the Biplane Expo one to remember.