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First AOPA Regional Hits Critical Mass

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Key Takeaways:

  • The inaugural AOPA "grassroots" regional fly-in in San Marcos, Texas, was an overwhelming success, attracting over 2,500 attendees and around 470 aircraft, exceeding expectations and even surpassing AOPA's national Summit in attendance.
  • Despite IFR conditions, the one-day event featured popular forums, discussions, and a town hall meeting with AOPA chief Mark Baker, who expressed surprise at its success and indicated plans to potentially expand future regional fly-ins.
  • This successful San Marcos event is the first in a series of planned regional fly-ins across the country, with future gatherings scheduled for Indianapolis, Plymouth, Spokane, Chino, St. Simon's, and a special 75th-anniversary fly-in in Frederick, Md.
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The first in a series of fly-ins that AOPA is calling a “grassroots effort” took place in San Marcos, Texas, this past Saturday, and the results were beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.

The event raised the question, “can a fly-in be too big,” and punctuated it with a big “yes.” This one came close. With “more than 2,500” in attendance — it was probably substantially more than that — and around 470 airplanes, the event drew more airplanes than AOPA’s national Summit held last fall in Fort Worth, Texas. The one-day event on Saturday featured forums, discussions, speakers and culminated with a town hall style meeting conducted by AOPA chief Mark Baker.

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