CASA GRANDE, ARIZ. — The 41st Annual COPPERSTATE Fly-In & Aviation Expo takes off Thursday, Oct. 24, with organizers noting that the weather is expected to be “nearly perfect” from Washington State, to Colorado, to Texas, to Southern California. In Casa Grande itself, it’ll be in the 80°s every day, with 0% chance of rain.
If you want to know what kind of aircraft you can expect, you can check out last year’s event. If you haven’t seen this multi-part documentary series by the AirShowVid.com crew yet, check it out. Their crew was on hand (and in the air) at last year’s COPPERSTATE Fly-In. These videos offer a great glimpse of the kinds of aircraft you’ll see — up close and personal — at this year’s show.
Pilots also have the chance to win a 32-gig iPad Mini. A drawing will be held for the pilots who fly in with their own planes and register with the COPPERSTATE Fly-In crew in the terminal at Casa Grande Municipal Airport. The drawing will be held on Saturday night at the awards banquet.
The Commemorative Air Force has confirmed it will have its B-25 Liberator; C-47 (DC-3); SNJ; N2S (Stearman); and L16 on hand — all offering paid flights. Though the B-17 bomber, “Sentimental Journey,” was undergoing maintenance as of press time, it may also make an appearance during the fly-in, schedule permitting.
Friday and Saturday admission is $15 each day per person ($13 for active/retired military). A three-day pass for the event is available for $25. Youth 15 and under receive free admission (when accompanied by a paying adult), and parking is free.
Wish I could be there Friday, to meet Jessica Cox, the world’s only rated pilot who was born WITHOUT ARMS.