A four fold increase in the production of cherries in Washington State between 1999 and 2017 (26.5 million 20-pound boxes) is behind a major increase in the number of helicopters under contract to area growers to fan rainwater off maturing fruit to prevent splitting between May and August. This includes a remarkable fleet of about 15 Sikorsky S-55s operated by Golden Wings Aviation's Dave Smith (in 2016) and nine S-58s operated by VI 1 LLC based at Anderson Field in Brewster, WA and the nearby Monse heliport. This S-55 (ex 54-1422) and 14 others were re-registered to Sierra Aeronautics LLC of KY in 2021.

Delivered new (as a Tristar 1) 27th Apr 1974 and had lease periods with Eastern and Gulf Air before being converted to Tristar 50 in Apr 1981. Became SE-DPP with Air Ops 9th June 1994

Delivered new to Trans Texas Airways 30th Sep 1966, re-branded as Texas International Apr 1969, merged into Continental Oct 1982, then transferred to Sunworld May 1983 and to Emerald Nov 1988. Became EC-622 with Air Sur 29th Jan 1991 and re-registered EC-FCQ 30th Apr 1991.

With special decals to commemorate Seattle's new NHL team, the Seattle Kraken.

Delivered new 10th Sep 1981 and re-registered N807US Nov 1987, then merged into USAir Apr 1988

Delivered new 8th Aug 1985 and re-registered N177US Nov 1987, then merged into USAir Apr 1988

First flight for Boeing's 3rd 777X test frame.

Boeing's 2nd 777X test frame.

Boeing's first 777X taking flight for the very first time.

Photographer: Ian Macpherson

This late build Beaver delivered to the Peruvian Air Force as FAP-384 on May 1. 1967 was the last piston DHC-2 delivered by De Havilland Canada. The remaining sixteen Beavers built before production ended were DHC-2 Turbo Beaver Mk3s. Briefly registered CF-QQH in 1971 before going to Norway as LN-BFH in 1972. Bought by Kenmore Air in 1984, the aircraft was rebuilt and registered N900KA in 1989.

"Noon Balloon II" was the last airplane owned by famed author / aviator Ernest K. Gann (complete with Ganair titles). He sold it in 1990 due to failing health, before his death on December 19, 1991. The Derringer is a two seat light twin with only a few built before the Wing Aircraft Company declared bankruptcy. There are 6 Derringers current on the US register with one other recently expired (2013).

Photo by Dennis Peltier.

Delivered new 20th Dec 1976 and transferred to Delta Nov 1991. Withdrawn from use FALA (Lanseria) 5th May 2004 and the registration was cancelled that day as "exported to South Africa" . Scrapped by Nationwide for spares.

Delivered new to Mesaba/Northwest Airlink as N2710T Nov 1998 and re-registered N430MA June 1989. Returned to lessor (Chrysler Financial) Aug 1997 and leased to Big Sky Oct 1998 ,then it was sold to Business Aviation Courier Dec 2004, still as N430MA