Experience more

“The original format won’t change,” said Chris Eads, AOPA director of outreach and events. “But in addition to our Saturday fly-in, we’re creating opportunities for people to be exposed to more experiences by adding workshops and clinics, and expanding options on the day before the fly-in.”

The 2017 AOPA Fly-In schedule includes four events kicking off April 28 and 29 in Camarillo, California; followed by Norman, Oklahoma (September 8 and 9); Groton, Connecticut (October 6 and 7); and Tampa, Florida (October 27 and 28). Each event will feature two full days of activities, including an expanded roster of learning opportunities and workshops beginning on the Friday of each event at 9 a.m. These reasonably priced workshops will cover a range of topics such as mountain flying or owner-performed maintenance meant to help make flying more fun, affordable, safe, and accessible.

While AOPA’s regional fly-ins are designed to bring the association to members where they live, they are also an opportunity to enhance the aviation experience. Research and attendee responses told the AOPA event team that many members wished they could get more out of attending a fly-in: sharing the event with friends and family, meeting and connecting with others who share the passion for flying, and deeper experiences to help them become better pilots.

“Let’s create opportunities for people to be exposed to new skill sets,” Eads and his group suggested. “Let’s let them know ‘you belong.’”

Members told the association they enjoy the camaraderie, food, aviation fun, and learning opportunities the fly-ins provide. By expanding the event to include opportunities on Fridays, AOPA can further enhance the experience. The highly successful Barnstormers Party will return on Friday nights at all 2017 events, but attendees who arrive in the evening may be surprised to find some of their aviation colleagues winding down from a day full of hands-on workshops and clinics.

Experience learning

The AOPA outreach and events team plans four extensive workshops led by leaders in such areas as aircraft maintenance and pilot proficiency for each fly-in in 2017. Regular Saturday fly-in activities will continue to be open to all and free to attend, but pilots desiring to deepen their knowledge and refine their skills may extend their weekend with one of these small, intimate workshops for a fee. Each will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Friday of the AOPA Fly-In weekend. That’s seven hours of intense learning.

A program of topics and speakers is being developed, and will include some that are location-specific, taking advantage of each area’s geography. Count on each agenda to “take you to new places in your aviation experience,” Eads said, adding that attendees can look forward to learning about the fine points of mountain flying, over-water flying, or other topics that will sharpen skills or build pilots’ confidence.

The exhibits and vendors will open on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. The food, music, and fun of the Barnstormers Party concludes the day. Aircraft camping services will also be expanded.

“We are expanding the event with two goals in mind,” said Eads. “To deepen pilot skills, enhancing their confidence, and to deepen friendships—both new and old.”

Experience more

Saturday of the fly-in will closely resemble what has taken place—and been so successful—during the past three years. Those hardy campers will wake to coffee brewing and sausage frying as AOPA staff and a cadre of local volunteers prepare a pancake breakfast—for a few hundred of their closest friends. Breakfast is served starting at 8 a.m. and attendees will be entertained and enlightened as they enjoy their food and friends. AOPA President Mark Baker will welcome everyone to start the day right. In another tent, pilots who have been out of the left seat awhile will be enjoying breakfast and AOPA’s new Rusty Pilot 2.0 presentations.

Then it’s off to a day enjoying seminars on myriad aviation-related topics, tours of local aviation facilities if available, taking in the extraordinary goods and products from the industry’s top manufacturers, enjoying the varied aircraft on display, and so much more. At each of the 2017 fly-in locations there will be location-specific opportunities and events, so watch the pages of AOPA Pilot and AOPA.org throughout the year.

Lunch is a highlight of the day, whether from area food trucks on site or prepared by a local vendor. It’s a great opportunity to share the day with others as everyone eats together in and around the main stage. At some locations there may be an aerial demonstration and chances to meet famous aviators—AOPA has featured storied airshow performers such as Patty Wagstaff, Michael Goulian, and Greg Koontz; stars such as the Breitling Jet Team; and new faces such as Yuichi Takagi and Melissa Andrzejewski at past events.

After more seminars, more product demonstrations, an update from AOPA President Mark Baker and staff on industry issues, and an ice cream social, the fly-in will conclude at 3 p.m. Frequent attendees may notice the earlier closing—now it’s time for a fly-out.

Experience something new

In addition to expanded content on Friday, the regional fly-ins will also offer pilots and their families and friends the opportunity to use the new skills obtained during the event. For example, pilots who attend the first 2017 AOPA Fly-In in Camarillo, California, may have the chance to learn about overwater flying on Friday and put those skills to use Saturday afternoon with a fly-out to Catalina Island off the California coast. These plans are still in the beginning stages, but the AOPA team hopes to further expand the learning opportunities at the fly-ins by adding fly-outs to nearby attractions. AOPA will partner with other aviation groups such as type clubs to ensure these opportunities come to fruition—stay tuned as AOPA continues to finalize new fly-outs throughout the year.

The regional fly-in events launched in 2014, shifting from a single annual AOPA convention to this new approach of gathering members together at locations closer to home, and make it possible for more members (and guests, including future pilots) to attend. That proved to be a formula for success: Total attendance grew 15 percent from 2014 to 2015, and 33 percent from 2015 to 2016. More than 6,000 aircraft arrivals have been logged during the 16 regional fly-ins to date, safely handled by a team of AOPA staff backed up by hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers. The fly-ins have also proved to be a venue where friendships are forged—gatherings where the aviation community has grown stronger.

“We’re coming to your neighborhood,” said Eads. “We want you to come and join our club.”

Four FOR YOU

2017 locations are diverse, exciting, and worth the flight

AOPA has chosen four locations for the 2017 AOPA Fly-Ins. They are aviation-friendly airports whose communities are excited to welcome AOPA members and other guests. Check the website  for continuing updates to the events planned at each location.

Camarillo, California. April 28 and 2

Camarillo Airport (CMA)

Located on the former Oxnard Air Force Base in the coastal valley of central California, Camarillo Airport is home to the Commemorative Air Force Southern Wing and the California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. CAF’s museum has such historic aircraft as the C–46 China Doll and still-flying P–51 Mustangs and T–6 Texans. On the airport is the aviation-themed Waypoints Café (“Pilot Briefing: Fly-Outs,” November 2016 AOPA Pilot). Just up the road is the Reagan Library, which features the original Boeing 707 that flew the president as Air Force One.

Groton, Connecticut. October 6 and 7

Groton-New London Airport (GON)

Located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, Groton is a quintessential New England seaport town. The Submarine Force Museum features the USS Nautilus, and Groton is famous for its submarine work for the U.S. Navy. Fly here up the Hudson River Corridor past Manhattan or out to Cape Cod and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, or visit the seaport at Mystic. Groton-New London Airport was the first airport established in the state, in 1929.

Norman, Oklahoma. September 8 and 9

University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport (OUN)

This university town located 20 miles south of Oklahoma City is famous for its football, its weather, and its weather center. The National Weather Center and Storm Prediction Center are located here. The University of Oklahoma is the largest in the state and is home to the Sooners, the university’s football team that has won seven NCAA championships. Norman is situated in Tornado Alley, but those scary storms are most prevalent March through June. The University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport is also home to the Sooner Flight Academy.

Tampa, Florida. October 27 and 28

Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF)

This AOPA favorite has been the site of previous AOPA Expos. Peter O. Knight Airport is situated on the Tampa Bay coastline, and airplanes and cruise ships share the same expanse of land and water. The city’s downtown skyline as viewed from the airport is beautiful; large and small ships dot the water; and even dogs are welcome at this GA-friendly airport.