As the year comes to a close, AOPA made final arrangements for its 2019 Regional Fly-Ins. This time the organization is planning two-day events rather than the concept of one full day preceded by an evening event that has been the recipe for the fly-ins since they started in 2014. With these longer events, AOPA is cutting the number down to three, down from anywhere between four and six annual events in the past five years.
To spread the love, AOPA chose one location on each coast and one in the middle. The first event will take place at the company’s headquarters at the Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK) in Maryland on May 10 to 11; the west coast event is planned for June 21 and 21 at the Livermore Municipal Airport (KLVK) in California; and the final event has been booked on September 13 and 14 at the Tullahoma Regional Airport (KTHA) in Tennessee.
As in previous years, the events will feature exhibits, seminars, workshops, aircraft displays and aerial demonstrations. But this year, AOPA is promising some special treats for the fly-ins as the organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary. A short takeoff and landing (STOL) competition will take place and the Friday night aviator’s party will be even more exciting than in previous years, AOPA says. The Frederick event will have a few special visitors from the D-Day Squadron, featuring C-47s that will be on their way to Normandy, France, for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in June.
“We hope pilots and non-pilots from all over the United States join us as we celebrate 80 years protecting the freedom to fly,” said AOPA’s senior director of outreach and events, Chris Eads. “There will definitely be something for everyone to enjoy.”
