SHELDON, Iowa (KTIV) -
Labor Day weekend is often viewed as the final hurrah for summer fun. It's a chance to savor the summer, and feel the first fall breeze.
That's especially true this year in Sheldon, Iowa, where several small planes took riders across the September sky.
It can be quite the sight to watch an airplane take off from the runway, but it's another thing entirely to get inside an airplane and actually go for a ride.
As part of Sheldon, Iowa's Celebration Days, the local airport was open to the public. Folks got a chance to check out some these flying machines, while others were taking to the skies.
"It's just something that's indescribable until you get the experience of doing it," said Kameron Gradert, a pilot.
David Vande Berg has been flying for decades. For the past four years, he's brought along his daughter, Joy Lynn.
"Done a lot of things in flying, including aerobatics, but taking my daughter out for rides is by far the best," said Vande Berg.
For the first time during Celebration Days, folks got a chance to take a 10 mile helicopter ride over nearby towns.
"We don't depend on our wings for lift, so we aren't held hostage by severe winds. So, we pretty much fly in all conditions," said Greg Miller of Skyway Helicopters.
Whether you're a veteran rider or pilot, nothing beats the sights or feel of an early morning ride. You can even ask the pilot questions, while you're up in the air.
"Being able to get up, as well as out and about, it's just a great stress reliever to be able to look down on the world and see how small things really are, including your worries," said Vande Berg.
"If they have a passion, and they want to go fly, I say, go do it," said Gradert.
Some veteran pilots say the best times to fly are early in the morning, when the air is calmest.
Folks got a chance to check out some these flying machines, while others were taking to the skies.
