Airventure visitors, young and old, from near and far.

Philippe Heer and his two boys, Patrick and Michael are here for their first EAA AirVenture. Although they're originally from Switzerland, they now live in Kenner, Louisiana, which is near New Orleans.

Philippe has been a pilot for 15 years.

"The American air system keeps amazing us Europeans," he says. "It's so friendly, and simple, and at no cost!"

Patrick, 12, and Michael, 9, are just as excited as their dad about their first visit to AirVenture. When asked what they like best so far they both instantly say, "The Airshow!"

"I like the jets," says Michael. "The jets, the warbirds, and the aerobatics."

"They decided they were going to be pilots after yesterday's airshow," says their dad with a smile.

"There's nothing comparable to AirVenture in Europe," says Philippe. "Maybe the Paris Airshow, but that's so commercial. It's really not the same."

Although Philippe has done most of his flying in the States, he has also flown in his native Switzerland, and had some interesting experiences in Columbia, South America, where he has worked as a Petroleum Geologist for Shell, and where his wife is from.

"It's surprisingly easy to go flying in Columbia," he says. "You become a member of an aero club, then you just file a flight plan and you can go all over the country."

"The first time you land it's a little intimidating though, because two big, armed guys come out to greet you. But they just want to see your papers, and then they are very friendly."

"The flying there can be interesting. Bogata is at 8,000 MSL and the density altitude can make it 12,000. The ground roll in a 152 was incredible, but it eventually got airborne. I also flew a 172 which was better."

Frank and Sylvia Trofimchuck are from Potosi, Wisconsin, down in the southwest corner of the state, "across the creek" from Dubuque, Iowa.

They've been attending the EAA fly-in since its days in Rockford, Illinois. Frank's had alot of roles in the fly-in over the year, for example, he used to teach welding.

They've seen alot changes over the years. We're sitting in the North Forty and he gestures over the all the aircraft. "The parking used to be one-tenth of what it is now. And there were only four forum tents, now there are like 30."

"The safety has increased too," he continues. "It's all due to all the great volunteers. The average EAA member couldn't afford the admission charge if all the people who are volunteers had to be paid."

These days Frank and Sylvia own a 1974 Bellanca Super Viking. In the past he's owned many other planes including a J3 Cub and a Cardinal. He once ran the airport in Morris, Illinois, where they sold Cessnas and Citabrias. So he's flown alot of planes, but the Viking is his favorite. "Because it's FAST!"

"I have the best wife in the world," he says, warming up to a favorite story. "A few years back, before we got the Viking, we were visiting family. It was a four hour flight in that plane."

After one particularly long flight home, they shut down the engine, Sylvia turned to Frank and said, "Find a faster airplane."

"Later when I told my buddies what she said, they all wanted to know if she had any sisters."

"At AirVenture I really enjoy meeting all the people," says Sylvia. Her eyes light up as she describes the many interesting folks she's met over the years here.

Although it is not a formal EAA Chapter, they are part of what they describe as a "ragtag group of EAA members" at Platteville Municipal Airport, which is 20 miles from Potosi. Frank's very impressed with the new management at that airport.

"They've really cleaned up the place. It's a really nice airport to visit."

Their ragtag group puts on many pancake breakfasts and Young Eagle rallies throughout the year.

Since the Young Eagles program started, they've given rides to over 1,000 kids. Frank has flown over 200 himself.

A few weeks ago they had a pancake breakfast with 84 planes in attendance.

This year at AirVenture Frank and Sylvia are driving around the aircraft camping areas, visiting pilots and giving out information about the Young Eagles program. They say they've found that lots of attendees are already participating, but many haven't heard about it.

Frank has had a long and rich life of flying. He solo'd in 1954, next year he will celebrate his fiftieth anniversary as an active pilot.

You can email Jack at atf@da4.com.