Dinearound

Aviation legends to talk shop at Summit dine-arounds

Whether they’re flying highly modified ex-military aircraft in the Unlimited class or getting the most out of 100 horsepower in the Formula One races, pilots at the Reno Air Races push their aircraft to the limit. Attendees at the “Meet the Reno Air Racers” dine-around dinner during AOPA Aviation Summit will have the opportunity to find out what it’s like to go for the gold in the “world's fastest motorsport.”

Five-time gold-winner of the Unlimited races Skip Holm; Dennis Buehn, who won a T-6 gold medal in his Texan T-6D Midnight Miss III; and Unlimited competitor Will Whiteside will discuss the Reno experience at the dinner Nov. 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event is just one of several dine-around dinners at restaurants in downtown Long Beach, Calif. The limited-capacity dinearounds give pilots the opportunity to talk to aviation hall of famers, pioneers, and other industry personalities. Tickets are $150 and include a light reception, a three-course dinner, and wine.

In “Pioneers of Aviation,” attendees will find out from SpaceShipOne astronaut Mike Melvill what it’s like to soar to the edge of space, as well as hear from adventurer Dick Rutan about the challenges of a nonstop flight around the world. In “Aerobatic Legends,” they’ll dine with legendary aerobatic performers: hall-of-famer Sean Tucker, Team MS760 airshow star Capt. Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, on-screen pilot J.W. “Corkey” Fornof (whose work can be seen in the James Bond film “Octopussy,” as well as “Six Days Seven Nights,” “Face/Off,” “Mission Impossible II,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Indecent Proposal,” among others), and elite T-34 performer Julie Clark. Performer Patty Wagstaff will share stories in the “Women Leaders in Aviation” dinner, which includes women from all aspects of aviation.

Find out about other dinearounds—with special guests including AOPA Pilot editors, medical experts, and AOPA President Craig Fuller—online. —By AOPA ePublishing staff