The 2016 Copperstate Fly-In will move to Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, on Oct. 28-29.
The event attracts recreational and general aviation enthusiasts from across the southwest United States. In 2015, approximately 500 aircraft were on display from 20 states, including ultralights, gyrocopters, homebuilt aircraft, antiques and warbirds.
In addition to aircraft displays, the Copperstate Fly-In features aircraft awards, aviation business information booths, educational workshops for pilots, and youth activities. A portion of event proceeds fund scholarships for youth aviation programs.
“The COPPERSTATE Fly-In is a wonderful addition to the City of Mesa and Falcon Field,” District 5 City Councilmember David Luna said. “This is a mutually beneficial partnership that will help increase regional and national awareness about what Falcon Field has to offer while helping the Copperstate Fly-in expand its offerings to pilots and aviation enthusiasts.”
“We at Falcon Field look forward to hosting this fly-in that is so popular with pilots and the general public,” added Corinne Nystrom, airport director. “Our facilities are a perfect fit for Copperstate’s activities and because of the wide variety of aviation services the airport offers. This event has something for everyone, whether you are a pilot, a fan of aviation, or a family planning a weekend outing.”
I’m an old guy that looks at why is this being changed? We have operated very well without a control tower and any FAAs help that they wanted to charge us for in the past . We have worked as an aviation family for so long why now? Seems to me it will be a large change that could keep pilots like me from making it . Someone should follow the buck where is it going to wind up.
Parking, camping, ?
My thoughts too! Without camping it’s out for me. We made it part of our vacation.
Where are you going to park all the cars,coming to the event,I’ve gone to their open house at Falcon airport and parking was a night mare,their one way in and out so I won’t go anymore.Casa Grande was organized.
There seems to be conflicting info at http://10times.com/copperstate-fly-in, which indicates the fly-in is at Casa Grande. Mesa is 14 miles east of Sky Harbor and only 2400′ below Class B airspace. This seems an extreme location for the “3rd Largest Fly-in” in the country.
The authoritative Copperstate web site (http://www.copperstate.org/) lists Falcon Field for 2016..
But what you state about the unsuitability of the location is true — plus more. It’s a towered field with security fencing and minimal transient parking (both airplane and auto). It would be hard to imagine camping being allowed.