Better each time

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People traveled to the Air Fair by all means possible. For those on wings there was ample parking, as well as a special area for aircraft camping, occupied by more than 100 aircraft. For those on wheels there was space for recreational vehicle camping and auto camping.

The event opened on February 14 with Field Trip Friday, when almost 2,000 students from Buckeye’s school districts were bused in and swarmed the grounds, enjoying the static display, a midday airshow, and an introduction to aviation. They also reveled in the Kids Zone, fitted out with slides, carousels, and more for the energized kids, who were not deterred by winds gusting up to 25 knots, whipping up the ever-present sand.

Once the gates opened on Saturday, aircraft began arriving at a rate of 60 per hour as a steady stream of visitors eagerly explored the attractions. Close to the gates, the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 182 took pride of place and drew a crowd. Niki Britton, its project manager, said, “I had a great time showing attendees just how far the aircraft has come over the last year, answering their questions, and sharing what's next! Since its last visit to the Buckeye Air Fair the Skylane has received a brand new interior and avionics panel which wowed AOPA members and non-members alike. The sweeps will be staying in Buckeye over the next few weeks as AeroSecure installs a Dual Electronic Ignition from Electro Air, a brand new three-blade propeller from Hartzell, and goes through its annual inspection.” Next to the sweeps, the static display showcased 30 aircraft, including some flown by organizations like Dog Is My CoPilot. Visitors were able to talk to pilots, representatives, and owners; climb into the aircraft; and take many, many pictures.

Peter Eidal, an AOPA member since 1988, had never been to an AOPA event before he traveled to Buckeye all the way from Kent, Washington. He loved all of it. “Exploring the exhibit hall was honestly one of my favorite things about the event. Getting to speak to vendors and look at products I'm considering for future products was great! Bringing my wife to the members-only airshow was also a great way to spend Valentine’s [Day] together!”

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Access to the “hot ramp” was restricted to airside volunteers and airshow staff, but the aircraft parked there to facilitate their access and egress to and from the runway for the airshows were visible enough and breathtaking. They ranged from a North American PBJ Mitchell to a bright yellow Rutan Long-EZ, Yakovlev Yak 50s, and a de Havilland Super Chipmunk.

Around noon, the daytime airshow featured the Aerial Extreme Skydiving Team. Its skydivers elegantly circled to the ground, making way for aerobatic acts such as the team from Red Thunder Airshows and Go EZ Aerobatics, and a flyby by the World War II-era North American PBJ Mitchell.

A big clamshell hangar farther down the grounds housed this year’s 53 exhibitors and buzzed with the hum of people checking out the latest technology, gear, and everything else around flying.

And if that wasn’t enough, visitors were invited to attend AOPA President Darren Pleasance’s Pilot Town Hall meeting and seminars covering airspace, aircraft purchases, maintenance, and flight training.

AOPA members received the veritable VIP treatment that allowed them access to the AOPA Flightline Chalet, which offered an unobstructed view of the airshows and was set with comfy chairs and tables. Arguably, for many the night airshow was the most exciting element of the Air Fair. Beginning late in the afternoon, the sky was lit on fire by the sun setting behind black silhouetted mountains—and the airshow acts. Once darkness fell, a different kind of fire illuminated the airspace. Fireworks exploded and Nathan Hammond’s de Havilland Super Chipmunk GhostWriter, carrying 200 pounds of pyrotechnics, flew a breathtaking aerobatic routine, followed by Go EZ ‘s Kyle Fowler shooting sparklers and fiery balls while flying his routine. But the biggest “ooohhs” and “aaaahs” were reserved for 250 drones glittering in every color of the rainbow next to the fireworks, assembling and dispersing and reassembling themselves into shapes like the state of Arizona, the American flag, and AOPA’s wings. The airshow topped out by Hammond’s GhostWriter, looping his pyrotechnics around and through the fireworks.

Attendance was up from last year, with about 36,000 visitors. While strong, gusty winds on Friday slowed the pace of arrivals, more than 350 aircraft flew in to take part in the three-day Air Fair.