Bryan Janisch, line manager at Crystal Air, the FBO at Cleveland Regional Jetport (KRZR) near Chattanooga, Tenn.,, wanted to celebrate spring and fill his ramp with piston planes Saturday, March 21.
With numerous fly-in breakfasts already on the calendar in the area, he decided on a hot dog lunch following the first-ever Southeast Tennessee Poker Run.
With landings at five regional airports to collect cards, the event attracted 21 airplanes and 39 people, who each paid $10 to enter.
The entire $390 pot went to the person with the best poker hand. Pilot Judy Wayman won in the Van’s RV-10 that she and her husband, Sam Robinson, built over several years in their Knoxville, Tenn., garage.
Although RZR is only two years old, its 5,500 foot-long runway will soon be extended 700 feet and more hangars are being built.
The airport serves the aviation needs of several large businesses in the area, including Whirlpool, Amazon, Coca Cola and Check Into Cash.
