AOPA reveals fly-in locations for 2016

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will host four regional fly-ins, all in new locations, for 2016.

AOPA has selected the following dates and locations for its 2016 AOPA Fly-Ins:

• May 21: Michael J. Smith Field (MRH) in Beaufort, North Carolina;
• Aug. 20: Bremerton National Airport (PWT) in Bremerton, Washington;
• Sept. 17: WK Kellogg Airport (BTL) in Battle Creek, Michigan;
• Oct. 1: Earnest A. Love Field (PRC) in Prescott, Arizona

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the success of the AOPA Fly-Ins, so we’re excited to bring them to brand new locations, with new seminars, social events, and activities for 2016,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.

Since the AOPA Fly-Ins began in 2014, more than 27,000 people have attended and more than 4,000 aircraft have flown in to a dozen events in 10 states.

The 2016 events will be the first AOPA has held in North Carolina, Michigan, and Arizona. Previously AOPA has visited California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

The 2016 locations were selected from among numerous detailed proposals submitted by airports nationwide. AOPA has hosted a fly-in at its Frederick, Maryland, headquarters for the past two years, but has decided to visit a different mid-Atlantic location in 2016.

“We wanted to be able to visit another fun airport within reach of the greater Washington, D.C., area and meet folks who might not be able to make it to Frederick,” said Baker. “So for 2016, we’ll spend a weekend in North Carolina instead. But we also know our members enjoy coming home to headquarters, so we’ll definitely return to Maryland in the future.”

Features for 2016 fly-ins include:

• Barnstormers Party on Friday night with food and entertainment
• Free on-field camping at all four 2016 fly-in locations
• Traditional pancake breakfast cooked and served by local pilots and volunteers
• Lunch with a variety of offerings available from gourmet food trucks and local restaurants
• Dozens of aircraft displays and exhibitors
• New seminars, speakers, and a Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President Mark Baker
• Free AOPA Rusty Pilots seminar

Visit the 2016 AOPA Fly-In webpage to learn more as additional information becomes available. Those planning to attend one or more fly-ins will be able to pre-register beginning in early 2016.

There is no charge to attend AOPA Fly-Ins, which are funded by donations to the AOPA Foundation and through contributions from AOPA’s sponsors and partners.

AOPA has already begun exploring 2017 locations, and airports that want to be considered should contact Chris Eads, AOPA director of outreach and events, at [email protected] for more information.

“We have many more states and communities to visit, so we are particularly hoping to receive strong proposals from airports in Florida, the Midwest, and the South Central United States,” Eads said.