AOPA Fly-In introductory flight winner takes to the sky
The rev of an aircraft engine, soaring through clear blue skies — those are just two of the many allures of aviation that can fill people with a passion for flight. Jacqueline Jenkins experienced that charm Saturday during her introductory flight in Florida, which she won while attending a "How to Start Learning to Fly" seminar during AOPA's Fly-In and Open House June 4 in Frederick, Maryland.
"When my hour was up, I didn't want to land. I was having too much fun," Jenkins wrote in an e-mail to AOPA. "There is nothing that has given me more pleasure than soaring through the air in the cockpit of an airplane." 
(June 28, 2005)
PIN process at Fly-In shows demand for access to DC-3 airports
Some 200 pilots attended the DC-3 personal identification (PIN) process seminar offered at AOPA's Fly-In and Open House. Participants were able to consolidate the process required of transient pilots who want to fly into College Park Airport, Potomac Airfield, or Washington Executive/Hyde Field inside the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone.
"This tremendous turnout shows that pilots want to fly into the DC-3 airports," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. Cebula voiced members' concerns about security requirements reducing their access to airports and airspace before the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday.
(June 13, 2005)
AOPA Fly-In video online
Did you miss the AOPA Fly-In and Open House last weekend? Were you here and want to visit us again? We've got just the thing for you — 
a quick two-minute video that captures a bit of the fun and excitement of the AOPA Fly-In. (Windows Media Player 9 and broadband connection recommended.)
(June 10, 2005)
AOPA Fly-In gave prospective students a taste of GA
Winners for headsets, Introductory First Flights selected
What better way to hook prospective student pilots on aviation than to show them what it's all about? That's the approach AOPA used at its Fly-In Saturday where prospective pilots had the chance to talk with a flight instructor, sit in the cockpit of a Cessna 172 trainer, and win free introductory flights.
Nearly 250 people attended seminars about how to start the process of learning to fly, and 15 of those prospective pilots won a free first flight.
Kathie Burchfield of York, Pennsylvania, was one of the lucky winners. She and her husband, who just received his private pilot certificate in the mail this week, attended AOPA's Fly-In for the first time. And now Kathie wants to get a taste of GA.
"I want to at least pick up the basics so I can help him with navigation," she said. Kathie has flown with her husband a couple of times and is excited to take the controls of the aircraft during her free introductory flight.
Photo: Nearly 250 people attended seminars about how to start the process of learning to fly.
(June 8, 2005)
Fifteenth Annual Fly-In and Open House a rousing success
 |
 |
 |
More than 5,000 pilots, future pilots, and their families and friends turned out for AOPA's Fifteenth Annual Fly-In and Open House on Saturday.
What started out as a gray morning turned into a beautiful afternoon, and some 250 airplanes took advantage of the conditions and a temporary control tower to land at Frederick Municipal Airport for the event. Thousands of others arrived by car.
Their enthusiasm for AOPA and GA was contagious.
"This is the best organization in the world; it keeps us flying," said Lisa Kondrick, who flew in with her husband in their 1948 Navion. "We're proud of [AOPA President] Phil Boyer. He's done a great job for GA, especially after 9/11. Nobody likes us little guys anymore, but AOPA fights for us."
Security measures and operational changes that grew out of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, were top-of-mind for many pilots at the event. An informal discussion with AOPA President Phil Boyer that centered on the nearby Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) was a top draw.
Photos: The AOPA Fly-In aircraft display; AOPA members check out "their" Countdown Commander Sweepstakes aircraft.
(June 4, 2005)
Packed house talks ADIZ, security with AOPA president
AOPA President Phil Boyer spent an hour before a standing-room-only crowd today, discussing the issues that are top-of-mind for Washington, D.C.-area pilots — the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the recent incursions that led to the evacuation of the Capitol and White House.
Some 350 people, including reporters from The Associated Press and Washington Post, packed the seminar tent to hear Boyer discuss operational issues relating to the ADIZ. Also on hand to answer questions were representatives of the FAA, NORAD, and ATC, including controllers from the Potomac Tracon responsible for handling traffic in and around the ADIZ.
Boyer admitted that the May 11 incursion into the ADIZ and Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) by a Cessna 150 has set back AOPA's efforts to improve the ADIZ, but added that the association is not ready to give up.
(June 4, 2005)
AOPA Sweeps Commander arrives in style
AOPA Pilot Associate Editor Steve Ells arrived like a rock star Saturday in the AOPA Sweepstakes Commander Countdown airplane. A crowd surrounded the airplane as it was being positioned in its highly visible spot on the static display.
"That's my airplane," Ells heard as he made his way out of the cockpit.
(June 4, 2005)
Future pilots get a taste of general aviation
The flying bug is already biting. Prospective pilots and anyone fascinated with aviation already are flocking to the Project Pilot Cessna 172 in the AOPA Fly-In aircraft display to get their picture taken for the cover of AOPA Flight Training magazine.
"What does this tell you?" one man asks pointing to the VOR. The would-be pilots soak up all of the information possible during their short time in the pilot's seat. They can turn the control wheel, pretend they are soaring through the clear blue yonder, learn a quick lesson about how the instruments work, and more.
Those interested in learning to fly can get information about the process and attend one of three sessions, "How to Start Learning to Fly." Attendees can enter to win one of 10 free introductory flights and other great prizes.
(June 4, 2005)
DC-3 ID process a big draw at AOPA Fly-In
Many pilots attending AOPA's Fly-In and Open House are getting down to business. They had signed up in advance to complete part of the personal identification (PIN) process required to fly into the "DC-3 airports" — College Park Airport, Potomac Airfield, and Washington Executive/Hyde Field.
(June 4, 2005)
Spectators wide-eyed and ready to experience all things GA
Some are visiting AOPA's fifteenth annual Fly-In and Open House for the first time, some are passing through on their way to vacation, and others have made this an annual trip. But they are all wide-eyed and ready for a day of fun.
Cameron Platts, who has been an AOPA member since 1997, drove in with his wife Kristin for the day. This is their first time attending Fly-In, but they've got their day strategically planned so that they can hit all of the seminars they are interested in, namely Rod Machado's "Yoke and Pedal: Techniques for Safe Flying" seminar. Cameron also wants to learn what's new in avionics at the exhibitor's tent and check out the aircraft display.
(June 4, 2005)
It's a Fly-In!
 |
The sun is up, the sky is clearing. It's a beautiful day for AOPA's 15th Annual Fly-In and Open House. Even at 7 a.m. this morning, people were already oohing and ahhing over the new aircraft in the static display, including the Adam 500 and the latest from Cirrus and Lancair.
Pancakes are on the griddle; the exhibit tent opened at 8:30. Come on in! (If you're flying, please check the special procedures.)
And if you can't be here personally, join the fun vicariously throughout the day through our Fly-In Cam, frequent Web updates, and maybe even a video or two.
(June 4, 2005)
Rain or shine, it's a "go" for AOPA's 15th Fly-In tomorrow
The big white tent is up and filling up with exhibits. The temporary, portable control tower is in place and awaiting the FAA controllers who've volunteered to fire up the radios at 7 a.m. tomorrow and handle the hundreds of expected inbound aircraft. Technicians are dropping the Ethernet cables for the computers that the specialists from the Leesburg Automated Flight Service Station will use to give pilots on-site weather briefings.
Three tractor-trailer displays from Cirrus, Lancair, and the National Consortium of Aviation Mobility are already here, and static display aircraft are en route.
Oh, and the seminar presenters are polishing their PowerPoints and rehearsing their best jokes. So are you ready for AOPA's 15th Annual Fly-In and Open House? It all kicks off tomorrow. The vendors start serving breakfast at 8 a.m., the exhibits open at 8:30 a.m., and it's non-stop aviation fun and learning all day.
Bring a prospective pilot — you could win a prize. See you at FDK! And if you can't join us, watch AOPA.org. We'll have a live Web cam and regular updates throughout the day. (See " AOPA Fly-In and Open House coming June 4" for more info!)
(June 3, 2005)
Follow AOPA's published Fly-In proceduresIf you are flying in to AOPA's Fly-In and Open House on Saturday, June 4, take several precautions to ensure your safety. Fly-ins are busy: Aircraft of varying sizes and speeds, and pilots of different skill levels, are all sharing the same small piece of airspace. Frederick Municipal Airport, which is a nontowered facility, will have a temporary control tower from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the event. The published holding pattern for Fly-In is joined at the southeast corner to the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). AOPA coordinated with security officials to allow pilots to fly the published holding procedure. However, it is imperative that you fly the pattern precisely, squawk the correct transponder code, and monitor the correct frequency in order to avoid unauthorized incursion into any other portion of the ADIZ, which could result in your being intercepted. |
AOPA Fly-In and Open House coming June 4
 |
 |
Plan your flight, pack your flight bag, grab a friend, and fly in for AOPA's fifteenth annual Fly-In and Open House, Saturday, June 4, at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. Remember to leave extra room in your aircraft for all the free aviation paraphernalia you'll acquire during the day.
There will be something for everyone — pilots and nonpilots alike. Get your picture on the cover of an AOPA magazine; attend entertaining and educational seminars about learning to fly, aircraft ownership, safety, and more; chat with AOPA President Phil Boyer during an informal hangar session; and walk through nearly 100 exhibitor displays and an aircraft display. AOPA's 2005 Sweepstakes grand prize, a Commander 112A, will be on display the entire day, sporting its new paint scheme, leather interior, glass cockpit, and unique propeller.
Bring a future pilot with you to Fly-In, and if he or she attends a "How to Start Learning to Fly" session, you could win a headset. Plus, the prospective student pilot will be entered to win free prizes as well.
(Update: May 31, 2005)
Bring a future pilot to AOPA Fly-In and everybody wins
AOPA members, it's time to reach out. If you know someone who really wants to learn to fly, bring them with you to AOPA's Fifteenth Annual Fly-In and Open House on Saturday, June 4. We'll have special activities designed for them. And you get a free AOPA mini-MagLite just for bringing a prospective pilot.
As part of AOPA's Project Pilot initiative, 10 lucky would-be student pilots will win free introductory flights at their local flight schools. And when they attend one of our three informational sessions, "How to Start Learning to Fly" (at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.), you as a pilot will be entered to win one of two headsets, a Lightspeed Thirty 3G or a Pilot USA 17-61, thanks to the respective companies. ( See official rules.)
(May 20, 2005)
AOPA Fly-in offers convenient ID process for access to DC-3 airports
Participants must register by May 30
Pilots in the Washington, D.C., area are jumping at the chance to complete part of the personal identification (PIN) process required to fly into the "DC-3 airports" at AOPA's Fly-In and Open House, June 4, in Frederick, Maryland. The two sessions being offered are more than 90 percent filled.
Unlike other airports that are open to and welcome transient general aviation pilots, the DC-3 airports — College Park Airport (CGS), Potomac Airfield (VKX), and Washington Executive/Hyde Field (W32) — were closed to all but based aircraft after the events of September 11, 2001. Transient pilots have only been able to fly into the DC-3 airports since February of this year, and only after they have completed a time-consuming initial security review and been issued a PIN that requires multiple trips to the airport they want to use, a trip to their FSDO, and a trip to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA).
"The PIN process isn't difficult, but it requires a lot of time and driving," said Rob Hackman, AOPA manager of regulatory and certification policy. "We're consolidating the process and eliminating most of the leg work. After their session at Fly-In, pilots will just have to drive to DCA to be fingerprinted."
Graphic: Transient general aviation pilots can have quick access to airports inside the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone once they go through an initial security and personal identification process.
(May 18, 2005)
Seminars galore at AOPA's June 4 Fly-In
If a good pilot is always learning, there's no better opportunity than AOPA's June 4 Fly-In and Open House. Some 18 seminars are slated during the course of that Saturday covering topics that range from single-pilot IFR to ways to reduce flying and aircraft ownership costs. A highlight will be the session with AOPA President Phil Boyer, who will answer member questions on everything from the state of GA to the Washington ADIZ. Aviation educator and humorist Rod Machado returns to the Fly-In with two new presentations. Seminars tend to fill up quickly, so plan on arriving a bit early. You can check out the complete seminar schedule on AOPA Online.
(May 16, 2005)
AOPA Fly-In features consolidated ID process for access to DC-3 airports
AOPA has teamed with the Transportation Security Administration, Baltimore Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), and College Park Airport to allow pilots attending AOPA's Fly-In and Open House to go through a more convenient version of the personal identification (PIN) process that is required for transients to be able to fly into the DC-3 airports — College Park Airport (CGS), Potomac Airfield (VKX), and Washington Executive/Hyde Field (W32) — located in the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone (FRZ).
Unlike other airports that are open to and welcome transient general aviation pilots, the DC-3 airports were closed to all but based aircraft after the events of September 11, 2001. Transient pilots have only been able to fly into the DC-3 airports since February of this year, and only after they have completed a time-consuming initial security review and been issued a PIN that requires multiple trips to the airport they want to use, a trip to their FSDO, and a trip to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA).
During Fly-In, June 4, in Frederick, Maryland, pilots can complete two of the three steps required in the process. Those who wish to participate will need to preregister for the sessions so that the Baltimore FSDO can perform a portion of the necessary airman record checks prior to Fly-In.
Graphic: Transient general aviation pilots can have quick access to airports inside the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone once they go through an initial security and personal identification process.
(May 3, 2005)
15th Annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House to be held June 4 in Frederick, Md.
| |
| |
AOPA will open its doors on Saturday, June 4, to host its Fifteenth Annual Fly-In and Open House at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. Thousands of people are expected to attend the free event, which has become the nation's largest one-day fly-in.
"Fly-In is our chance to meet face-to-face with the members we serve throughout the year," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "It's also an opportunity for us to welcome our community neighbors so they can see all that AOPA and general aviation have to offer."
(See the Fly-In Web pages for a schedule of seminars, list of exhibitors, and aircraft arrival instructions.)
New to this year's fly-in, AOPA will host special activities for anyone interested in learning to fly. Informational sessions run throughout the day and include Q-&-A with a flight instructor inside the cockpit of a trainer airplane. Nonpilots can enter to win one of 10 free introductory first flights, among other prizes.
Every pilot who brings a prospective student will receive a free AOPA mini MagLite and is eligible to win one of two new headsets from either Lightspeed or Pilot USA.
"Every pilot knows someone who wants to learn how to fly, and AOPA's Fly-In and Open House is the perfect way to introduce him or her to the exciting world of general aviation," said Boyer. "There is strength in numbers. The more people that become aware of the benefits of general aviation, the better it is for all of us."
(April 29, 2005)
Related Articles
