Ben Masegil readies his ultralight plane for participation in the Lebanon  Optimists Club Fly-in Breakfast flour bombing  event, grandson Brehk Veitenheimer grins from his seat in anticipation. (Photo by Robert  Erickson)
 

   No one hit the target directly, but a few came close during the flour bombing contest at the fourth annual Lebanon Optimists Club Fly-In Breakfast on Saturday.  More than 200 people came to view the pilots' attempts and eat breakfast. The event raised about $800 for Optimist projects that include education scholarships, youth programs and community projects, said President-elect  Jessica Coward.
   "I really enjoy the event," said Representative Jeff Kropf, who manned the outhouse that was placed at the west end of the Lebanon Airport as the flour bombing target. 
   "I'm really disappointed. None of those flour bombs got anywhere close to me," Kropf said.  "They had three free shots."

State Representative Jeff Kropf tried to get the  attention of pilots overhead attempting to hit the outhouse target during the flour bombing event  of the  Lebanon Optimists Club Fly-In Breakfast at the Lebanon Airport. (Photo by  Robert Erickson)

   The closest was 12-year-old Jared Atchley, the  grandson of John Atchley, president of the Lebanon  chapter of the Oregon Pilots Association. The  younger Atchley came within three feet of the target,  said Jim Ricke, the OPA member in charge of measuring bomber accuracy.
   All in all, more than 30 airplanes visited Lebanon for the fly-in, Ricke said. All types of planes were represented - high wings, low wings, slow and fast, big and small. Many pilots gave short rides to non-flyers who attended, he said. 
   Flour bombing began at 10 a.m. More than eight airplanes took three passes at bombing  the target, said John Atchley.
    Ricke has asked Lebanon Community School District Superintendent Jim Robinson to man the target next year. He believes this will draw more participants and the local OPA chapter could turn the event into a fundraiser. 

   "I'm looking forward to being a bomber pilot next year," Kropf said.
   To expand the event, plans are brewing to stretch the event out, serve a lunch afterwards and offer more rides to citizens, Atchley said.

© 2002 Lebanon Express