Briefing/Fly-Ins: Pancakes, barbecue, and aviation

It wasn’t a perfect day by a VFR pilot’s standards, but that didn’t stop more than 2,500 people from flocking to San Marcos Regional Airport (HYI) in San Marcos, Texas, for AOPA’s very first regional fly-in. Three hundred fifty aircraft did make it to the fly-in; some arrived the prior evening to take advantage of a fuel discount at Redbird Skyport.

AOPA staff and volunteers flipped pancakes and served up hot coffee for breakfast, then turned over the cooking duties to the pros at Hays County Barbecue, who dished out brisket, house-made sausage, and side dishes at lunch. Members crowded the seminars to hear about owner-performed maintenance, flying with iPads, and improving radio communications. More than 850 came to Redbird’s main hangar to talk stick-and-rudder flying with Rod Machado. They stayed to ask AOPA President Mark Baker about the third class medical initiative, ADS-B, and how to lower the cost of flying.

A small army of volunteers in bright green shirts—about 185 total—helped to set up the event. Their enthusiastic presence was everywhere, whether parking aircraft or cars or assisting members.

AOPA’s next regional fly-in is May 31 at Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ). For more information about any of the events, or to RSVP, see the website.

San Marcos by the numbers

2,600+ Attendees
350 Aircraft
8,000 Bottles of water available
1,500 Sausage patties served at breakfast
2,000 Pancakes consumed
60 Gallons of coffee poured
1,200 Pounds of brisket prepared for lunch
34 Static display exhibitors
28 Exhibitors in the tent

2014 AOPA Fly-Ins

Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ)—May 31, 2014

Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM)—July 12, 2014

Felts Field, Spokane (SFF)—August 16, 2014

Chino Airport (CNO)—September 20, 2014

Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK)—October 4, 2014

Malcolm McKinnon Airport (SSI)—November 8, 2014