The 68th annual Cactus Fly-In “was blessed with spectacular weather, giving arriving pilots and local aviation enthusiasts something to brag about,” according to organizers.
Held over the weekend of March 6-9, 2026, at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ) in Arizona, more than 100 aircraft and 40 classic autos were at the fly-in, which attracted about 1,500 people.
“Best of all, many youth were seen consulting with pilots, and with volunteers from the Phoenix 99s, Christian Motorcycle Association, EAA Chapter 1445, and volunteers from the Casa Grande Police Department,” said officials with the Classic Airport Association of Arizona. (CAAA).
Among the early arrivals on Friday were Keith Kossuth and his Travel Air from Chino, California. Keith provided flights for patrons in the open-cockpit airplane throughout the day on Saturday.
“He was a busy guy,” organizers noted.
“By 7 a.m. on Saturday, the airport was a beehive of activity with inbound display aircraft, classic display autos, local citizens, food concessionaires, and local business displays,” they added. “Volunteers were hard at work parking drive-in patrons, fly-in aircraft, classic autos, and helping vendors set up their displays.”
Formation flights began at 9 a.m. featuring classic warbirds such as a PT-22, several PT-17s, an AT-6/SNJ-6, and other aircraft.
In honor of the recent passing of Gene Irvin, an original Cactus Fly-In founder, a missing-man formation flight was staged by Danny Don in a PT-22, Joe Sotille in an L-19, Kurt Gearhart and Larry Dustman in PT-17s, and Lee Maxson in an N3N.
While some local aircraft departed in the late afternoon, many pilots were able to remain for a banquet and presentation on Saturday evening. About 45 people attended the evening banquet, which was highlighted by keynote speaker Budd Davisson, a renowned flight instructor.
At the close of the evening, awards were announced for youngest pilot Gabrielle Thommen, Farthest Traveled Jim Rezich, People’s Choice John Todhunter and his PA-12, and Pilot’s Choice Rusty Gavagan and his Stinson 10A. Rusty’s Stinson 10A was finished just prior to the fly-in after an 8-½ year restoration.
In The Works
Plans are already underway for two upcoming events to be staged by the CAAA, including a repeat in fall of the aerial cornhole contest in which 12 planes participated last year. The 69th annual Cactus Fly-In will be held March 5-6, 2027.
While the fly-in format will likely be a repeat of this year’s event, CAAA officials said they do anticipate some reconfiguration at KCGZ as the city of Casa Grande is planning an expansion of private hangars in the area previously used for automobile parking.
“There is, however, ample space on the airport campus for drive-in autos and RVs and there will be efforts to provide shuttle service from the new airport auto parking areas to the nearby aircraft ramp,” officials said.
“Look, also, for more flying demonstrations in the future. Many antique aircraft owners have projects underway and are eager to reveal their machines at forthcoming fly-ins,” they concluded.
For more information: CactusFlyIn.org
Thanks to Glenn Brasch of Airport Courtesy Cars for sending in these photos.
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