President's Perspective

Camaraderie abounds at aviation events

Pilots attend a wide variety of fly-in events held all over the country--and I've found that student pilots are universally welcomed, too. These events come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and temperaments. They're most common during the summer months, and they range from more-or-less impromptu get-togethers at grass fields to week-long extravaganzas like EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Many nonpilots cannot understand why pilots enjoy fly-in events so much. "You mean you just get in that noisy, smelly old airplane of yours and fly to an airport that you could drive to quicker, walk around and look at other old airplanes, swap lies with other pilots, then come home? Why?"

Any pilot knows the answer: It's a bonding ritual in the great tradition of Ernest Gann's "band of brothers" (and sisters). It's the fellowship, the hangar flying wisdom--often exaggerated, but almost always with a nugget of truth--and the admiration of fine flying machines.

Most small fly-ins are sponsored by local pilot groups and often feature breakfast. Believe me, there's nothing better than landing at an airport early on a beautiful summer morning and catching a whiff of hot, golden pancakes and savory sausage links sizzling on a griddle. That's exactly what happened when I was in Oregon a few years back, and members of the Oregon Pilots Association were surprised as I walked into a hangar, attracted by the scent of breakfast. Other fly-in events are larger and more formal with displays and perhaps educational seminars.

Regardless of a fly-in's size, the basic elements are the same: fun, fellowship, and a chance to breathe deeply of general aviation in a friendly, supportive environment. If you actually fly to one of these events, a demonstration of your superior landing technique is obligatory. And of course, the pilots who arrived before you will be happy to critique your performance--all in good fun.

Some fly-in events are held primarily for a particular airplane type. Among them are events for Cessna 120 and 140 airplanes (two-place, tailwheel trainer aircraft popular in the 1940s and 1950s and predecessors of the Cessna 152) and short-wing Piper aircraft, including such venerable favorites as the Piper Tri-Pacer or Colt.

In Galesburg, Illinois, beginning on Labor Day every year, there's a fly-in for the remaining examples of snorting, deep-throated Stearman biplanes with the big radial engines that trained so many pilots during World War II. At least one fly-in caters to pilots of the venerable Bell 47 helicopter--most familiar as medical evacuation helicopters on the TV show M*A*S*H.

There are fly-in events for aircraft types as diverse as Beechcraft Bonanzas, Mooneys, Stinsons, and Luscombes, among others. There's at least one for those who fly the various models of Ercoupe. That legendary design is said to be unstallable and unspinnable; some even say it's almost as easy to fly as a car is to drive. Originally, the Ercoupe was built with rudders automatically linked to the yoke and thus had no rudder pedals. The model has seen renewed interest lately because its weight qualifies it as a light sport aircraft; Ercoupes have already trained some sport pilots.

Personally, I like to go to fly-ins for the airplanes. But my wife, Lois, much prefers fly-in events that specialize in food. Fortunately, there's no shortage of those. In years past we have attended an April "Fly-In Shrimp Boil" in Port Aransas, Texas; a May "Pig Roast" fly-in in Lake Village, Indiana; and a July "Beach Barbeque" fly-in on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. No doubt there are many others scattered throughout the country each year.

Fly-in events like these are an important part of general aviation's social fabric. AOPA keeps members up to date on those events through the calendar listings on AOPA Online. And AOPA members who get the free AOPA ePilot e-mail newsletter each week receive listings for fly-in events in their region.

AOPA's own fly-in, held the first Saturday in June at our home field at Frederick, Maryland, has grown beyond all expectations. It gives AOPA members an opportunity to visit their association (not normally open on weekends) and talk with staff members about specific aviation issues or concerns. There are more than 100 exhibits, safety and educational seminars, and an entire flight line full of gleaming new and historic aircraft. Did I mention the food?

Every year, thousands of visitors and hundreds of aircraft flock to the AOPA Fly-In. The 2006 event will be held Saturday, June 3, in case you want to start planning now for a great day of GA fun, fellowship, and learning (see "Member Services: A Visit to AOPA,'" p. 1). Can't make it? Consider AOPA Expo, our three-day educational conference and trade show. AOPA Expo 2006 will be held November 9 through 11 in Palm Springs, California--and it's even more fun than the fly-in!