AOPA Fly-Ins: Covering the country

Since AOPA launched the regional fly-ins in 2014, the association has hosted 20 events in 16 states. The association has connected with nearly 70,000 pilots where they fly. More than 7,000 AOPA members and aviation enthusiasts have volunteered over the past four years to help make the events run smoothly for attendees.

“When we set out to host the regional fly-ins in 2014, the idea was to be within a few hundred miles of each of our members within a four- or five-year period,” AOPA President Mark Baker said. “We are getting close to our members—only a short flight for most, based on all of the locations we’ve been to so far.”

The popular two-day events kick off June 15 and 16 in Missoula, then head to Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF), September 14 and 15; Carbondale, Illinois (MDH), October 5 and 6; and Gulf Shores, Alabama (JKA), October 26 and 27.

AOPA Fly-Ins will continue to include in-depth workshops on Fridays before the main Saturday event. The all-day intensive workshops proved popular with members.

“AOPA is spot on,” said one participant. And another said, “I was interested in many [workshops and seminars] but couldn't get to them all.”

Another attendee summed up his experience saying, “Overall this is a top-notch operation. This was my first time attending an AOPA Fly-In and I was pleasantly surprised.”

Chris Eads, AOPA director of outreach and events, said, “We are working on a new slate of workshops for 2018 that will offer hands-on experiences for pilots to improve their aviation knowledge, safety, and skills.”

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Web: www.aopa.org/fly-ins