Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Lion's Club members serve breakfast to hundreds Sunday in New Ulm.

NEW ULM — Sunday, the early birds got pancakes and sausages at the New Ulm airport.

The annual Lion’s Club Fly-in Breakfast returned to the airfield with a high turnout. Club members believe this was one of the better turnouts in years.

In the main hangar, a pancake breakfast was served to visitors. Many visitors arrived by plane. Some were from the region, but others flew in from out of state. The lawn near the runway was lined up with a variety of planes. For the occasion, several classic planes attended.

Mike Pope of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, flew into New Ulm in a 1951 de Havilland Chipmunk. The plane was used as a training vehicle for the Royal Air Force. Pope said his plane was restored, but much of the original parts were stilt in it. He said the flight from Wisconsin was great. It took him only 90 minutes to reach New Ulm thanks to a tailwind coming in from the east.

The de Havilland was not the oldest plane in attendance. A restored bi-wing plane landed late in the morning, as well as a 1939 Spartan from Hector. The Spartan was flown by Ed Newberg. Newberg has worked as a crop duster for 51 years and has had his pilot license since he was 16. He has several planes, but the Spartan is a favorite because of its speed. He said at the time they were created, the Spartans were faster than any fighter plane. The planes were also built for comfort with a large cabin. Newberg said his plane seats five people.

Helicopters were also prominent. There were two separate medical helicopters at the airport during the breakfast. Several interested kids were able to get a look inside and ask flight crew questions.

The Fly-in Breakfast is one of the local Lion’s Club’s largest fundraising events. In the past, breakfast has served around 1,700 people. Money raised goes to help various people around the community in need.