President's Position: Time to fly

While I’m somewhat biased, you can’t go wrong attending an AOPA Fly-In. After having attended all 20 of ours, I always look forward to the next one. And while our fly-ins have grown significantly after expanding to the two-day format in 2017, our amazing outreach and events team always knocks it out of the park to create a unique and exciting experience while keeping each event affordable and family-friendly.

We’ve seen almost 80-percent growth in attendance in the last year since we’ve added another day to our fly-ins. This provides more time for in-depth workshops on Fridays with exciting topics including everything from mountain flying to owner-performed maintenance. Each one is designed to help make flying more fun, affordable, and safe.

Our fly-ins have been such a hit that since 2015 we’ve had more than 85 airports from 33 states submit proposals to host an event. And while choosing the final four locations each year is no easy task, we have an extensive vetting and planning process to ensure that each event is a memorable one. We created these regional fly-ins to replace the annual three-day national AOPA Summit. The idea is that we come closer to members, rather than expecting members to come to one of the coasts each year, which can be much more expensive for attendees. At the fly-ins, members get a chance to meet our staff in person and learn about everything that AOPA has to offer—and an excuse to fly their airplanes (www.aopa.org/fly-ins).

This year, we start out in Missoula, Montana, June 15 and 16, where you’ll have several opportunities to experience my favorite type of flying in the backcountry of Montana. I’m planning to participate in one of the fly-outs to Seeley Lake Airstrip, where pilots will be treated to a delicious potato bake hosted by the Recreational Aviation Foundation.

There will also be other opportunities to see Montana in all its glory with a chance to fly over a section of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and the 1,000-foot-high Chinese Wall that stretches for 22 scenic miles. Our team has also planned an exciting tour of the set of Steven Spielberg’s 1989 movie Always, which featured Richard Dreyfuss playing an aerial firefighter in his vintage World War II airplane.

After Missoula, we head September 14 and 15 to the oldest capital city in the United States—Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is sure to be rich with history and culture. Then if you plan to meet us in Carbondale, Illinois, October 5 and 6, I recommend the award-winning 17th Street BBQ in nearby Murphysboro—and make sure to try the ribs.

You’ll need to pack the sunscreen if you’re going to our final fly-in of the season in the southern town of Gulf Shores, Alabama, October 26 and 27, known for its white sandy beaches and warm blue water. With this being our last stop in 2018, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see our staff spending the next several days on the beach for some much-deserved rest and relaxation.

What a positive impact we can make on the industry when we come together, and that’s one of the reasons the Pilot Town Halls we host at every AOPA Fly-In, along with Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In and EAA AirVenture, are so important to me. Each one gives us a chance to share what AOPA is focused on, what we’ve accomplished, and what we’re looking forward to next. It’s also a great time for us to hear what matters most to you and what AOPA can do to improve your flying experience.

Attending fly-ins is not a requirement for being a pilot, but participating in these timeless traditions is something every pilot should experience at least once in their lifetime. I always try to make it to several other GA fly-ins and events throughout the year, from type club conventions to the Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering in my home state. And if you have one you’d like to share with fellow AOPA members or find out more about one you’d like to attend, you can read and post about it all on the AOPA Hangar (https://hangar.aopa.org).

I look forward to seeing you this fly-in season and hope you have a chance to enjoy it as much as I will.

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