AOPA’s first fly-in of the year unites with the Buckeye Air Fair February 17 to 19 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport in Arizona, bringing spectators a weekend chock-full of aviation entertainment.
AOPA members will experience all of the things they have come to expect from an AOPA fly-in including AOPA’s world-class educational content; a large indoor exhibit hall featuring the latest services, gear, and tech from AOPA partners and industry leaders; a diverse and expansive aircraft display; and a Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President Mark Baker. AOPA’s seminars will run throughout the entire three-day event and cover topics ranging from how to get started in aviation to setting personal minimums, and other fine points of flying.
AOPA members will have access to prime viewing of Buckeye Air Fair’s two-day airshow at the Members Only AOPA Flightline Chalet. Those at the chalet can mingle with other AOPA aviators, participate in partner giveaways, and enjoy a selection of food and drinks.
The official airshow takes place on Saturday and Sunday featuring aerial performances by Tucker’s Air Patrol’s 1941 Piper J–3 Cub, Pylon Aviation’s aerobatic Airbus BO105 helicopter piloted by Scott Urschel, and Red Thunder Airshows’ Yak 50 piloted by Karl Gashler and Barry Hancock.
The Buckeye Air Fair is the first of a series of established aviation events that AOPA plans to partner with this year.
“We are joining established airshows to partner what we do best—aviation—with what they do best—putting on an airshow,” said Elizabeth O’Connell, AOPA director of outreach and events.
“Members told us they want to see more aerial acts, so we will provide the basics you’ve come to expect—aviation, safety, and industry—with the excitement of a local airshow. This provides us the opportunity to be seen by the general public,” O’Connell said. “We will have a strong presence from our You Can Fly team who will be able to introduce the excitement of aviation to a new audience, bringing them the information they need to take their interest in the airshow beyond the event. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet a whole new group of people who never knew they, too, could be aviators.”
Those interested in attending or volunteering with AOPA can learn more and register here.