AOPA Fly In at the Buckeye Air Fair

Join AOPA at the Buckeye Air Fair at Arizona’s Buckeye Municipal Airport (BXK) for three days of high-quality pilot education, aerial entertainment, and aviation enthusiast camaraderie. From February 14 through 16, attendees can walk the robust flight line of aircraft on display; peruse AOPA’s expansive indoor exhibit hall showcasing the latest in aviation tech, pilot gear, and services; and attend educational seminars and a Pilot Town Hall lead by AOPA’s new CEO and president, Darren Pleasance. A matinee airshow, followed by Buckeye’s twilight airshow and fireworks display, will take place on Saturday.

2024 was a monumental hit

In 2024, the Buckeye Air Fair in Arizona saw its biggest turnout yet, with more than 30,000 attendees and 340 total fly-in aircraft over the event’s three-day weekend. It wasn’t just the numbers that made the overall event, including the AOPA Fly-in at the Buckeye Air Fair, a monumental hit.

The Buckeye Air Fair, brainchild of Buckeye mayor and pilot Eric Orsborn, started as a small airport open house and has since grown into one of the largest general aviation events in the Western United States. And although the event has sustained steady growth throughout the years, the event still manages to maintain a small community fly-in feel, making it the perfect partnership for an AOPA Fly-In.

The surrounding desert landscape in February makes for spectacular flying, aviation spectating, and aircraft camping weather; of the 340 aircraft that flew in for the event in 2024, 60 pilots stayed, set up camp, and spent the weekend taking in everything the Air Fair had to offer.

What to expect in 2025

This year, AOPA and the Buckeye Air Fair are joining forces once again to bring members an exciting lineup of aviation entertainment and a comfortable place to see it all, at the members-only AOPA Flightline Chalet. Here, members can mingle with guests, AOPA senior leadership, and influencers, all while enjoying the benefits of prime airshow seating, exclusive partner giveaways, and an assortment of light food and beverages. On Friday, AOPA Fly-In attendees can catch a special sneak peak of Saturday’s airshow with a private viewing of the event’s airshow practice session. To access the Chalet, please first visit an AOPA membership representative inside the exhibit hall to validate your membership and receive your VIP wristband.

Earlier in the day on Friday, AOPA is offering two separate seminar tracks that focus on safety and the aviation industry with presentations from AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Vice President Mike Ginter (far right), AOPA Pilot Protection Services and legal, SiriusXM, AssuredPartners Aerospace, and more. Seminars will run on the hour throughout Saturday and the Pilot Town Hall, featuring AOPA’s new CEO and president, Darren Pleasance (right), will take place at 11 a.m. in the safety seminar tent. The Rusty Pilots seminar will be held on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for those looking to get back to the flight deck and refresh their flying skills

Be sure to bring the kids and teens along for all-day family-friendly activities including the Buckeye Aviation Academy, Arizona SciTech event, and Flight School Sunday. Check the website for continuing information on this can’t-miss event.

 aopa.org/buckeye

Getting there

Buckeye Municipal Airport (BXK)

3000 South Palo Verde Road
Buckeye, Arizona 85326
623-349-6880

Elevation: 1,033 feet
TPA: 2,009 feet
RWY 17/35: 5,500 feet x 75 feet
CTAF/unicom: 122.975
Fuel: 100LL and Jet A1
24-hour service
Flight procedures will be posted before the event.

AOPA member benefits at Buckeye

• Members-only Flightline Chalet
• Join/renew membership on automatic renewal and get $10 off
• Members receive up to 20 percent off Flight Outfitters gear

Come visit your friendly AOPA staff at the show. We are here to help with all your member benefit needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience exceptional service with a smile.

Looking ahead

New in 2025 is another opportunity to join us at an established airshow. In August, we will join the Props & Pistons Festival held at the Akron-Fulton International Airport (AKR) in Akron, Ohio. This family-friendly airshow is held on the original U.S. military base (established in 1929), which has the Goodyear Airdock, a 200-foot-tall, 1,000-foot-long hangar that has housed blimps, airships, and dirigibles. When it was built, it was the largest structure of its kind, and it is where the first lighter-than-air ships were built. More than 130 airships and 4,000 naval Corsair fighter aircraft were produced at the airport by Goodyear Aircraft during World War II. The Props & Pistons Festival has a daily airshow, veterans’ events, kids’ zone, and food trucks. AOPA will have a specially designated area for its members, exclusive access to the airshow, seminars, and featured speakers.

aopa.org/events