Since its first event in 1972, the Copperstate Fly-in has been bringing together aviation enthusiasts in the southwest United States.
Copperstate is the largest fly-in of its type in the western United States and the fourth largest fly-in in the United States. It is held at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ) in Casa Grande, Ariz. Casa Grande, a city of about 50,000, is approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson.
Copperstate Fly-in, Inc. is a totally volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting recreational and General Aviation through events, scholarships and public education. Proceeds from the Copperstate Fly-in help support scholarship programs for youth seeking careers in the aerospace industry.
What you can do
Visitors can attend informative workshops and check out the latest, greatest aviation products or learn new skills. The event offers plenty of workshops on fabric, sheet metal and composites, as well as forums where attendees can hear about aviation innovations and issues from business leaders and panels of experts.
In addition, the Copperstate Fly-in includes static displays, aircraft judging and a flea-market-like FlyMart. Visitors are welcome to camp (in tents with their plane or in an RV area), or make hotel arrangements. Copperstate even offers a shuttle service for those lodging in the city of Casa Grande.
With no alcohol allowed on the grounds, the organizers receive many compliments on how family-friendly the event is. Youth have plenty of opportunities to enjoy and learn about the miracle of flight, and can even build a wing rib in the workshop area.
Growing and changing
Over the years, Copperstate has grown exponentially. More than 500 aircraft and 6,100 attendees from 12 countries and 37 U.S. states converged on the 41st-annual Copperstate Fly-in & Aviation Expo. This attendance figure tops the 2012 number by more than 600.
Last fall’s fly-in took place Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 through Sat., Oct. 26, 2013, and it was the first year in which Casa Grande Municipal has operated as a non-towered airport.
All board directors and chairmen were pleased by how smoothly the event functioned in a non-towered environment. “I monitor the aviation forums, and I can’t find any complaints,” said Denny Cunningham, Air Operations chairman.
Additionally, a total of 929 people attended Copperstate’s forums—the highest attendance level in five years. Seventy-three kids participated in the wing rib-building workshop (up from 48 in 2012), and 95 people attended the aircraft judging awards banquet on Saturday night.
Volunteers and exhibitors in droves
In 2013, a total of 329 volunteers were on hand—an increase of about 100 people compared to the 2012 fly-in.
“I’m very pleased with the volunteer turnout this year,” said Copperstate Fly-in’s president Stephen Bass. “From what I understand, there was no job that was lacking for a volunteer during the fly-in.”
If you are looking to come and help out, you may be in luck. “Next year, we’ll need a few more hands during setup and teardown,” Bass added.
Sixty-one exhibitors—including a handful of food vendors—were also on-site for all three days of the fly-in. Within the “big tent,” a pilot or aviation enthusiast could find just about anything they were looking for, from pilot supplies to avionics dealers and parts manufacturers. Type clubs, flying clubs, associations and educators also participated.
“On Saturday afternoon, I had a chance to get around and speak with some of our exhibitors, and they were extremely pleased with this year’s Copperstate,” Bass said. “They especially appreciated the sack lunches given out on Friday and Saturday.”
A diverse mix
Since 1971, the Copperstate Fly-in & Aviation Expo has been a great place to see a diverse blend of aircraft in action. Attendees particularly enjoy the wide variety of aircraft on the ground and in the air. Ultralights, warbirds, microjets, GA planes and many more flock to Casa Grande during the three-day event.
This year’s award winners included everything from a 1956 PA-18-150 Super Cub) to an Ercoupe, to a Yak-18T. (For a complete list of the judges’ award recipients, see the sidebar on page XX —Ed.) New in 2013 was the category of “Best Piper Showplane” sponsored by Piper Flyer Association.
The Copperstate Board of Directors will meet on Sat., Jan. 11, 2014 at the Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD) in Chandler, Ariz. to begin their preparations for a General Aviation event that isn’t just going strong, but growing strong. Mark your calendar now for the 42nd annual event—it’s scheduled for Oct. 23–Oct. 25, 2014.
RaeAnn Slaybaugh is an e-writer for the Institute of Supply Management in Tempe, Ariz. She is also the secretary and news media professional for the Copperstate Fly-in organization. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
Resources
Copperstate Fly-in & Aviation Expo
copperstate.org
