Make Plans To Spend A Day -- Or Two -- In Petersburg
There's nothing quite like Fall in Virginia... just as there's
nothing quite like a fly-in. This weekend, Dinwiddie County Airport
(PTD) in Petersburg, VA will be the site of the 10th Annual
Virginia Regional EAA Fly-in and Expo -- an event focusing on
educational activities for pilots, would-be pilots and all those
interested in aviation.
To that end, Dinwiddie County Airport will be open Saturday,
September 30 and Sunday, October 1. In a departure from past years
-- and to give those flying in the flexibility to arrive and depart
at will -- there will be no air show this year. However, hundreds
of aircraft, from powered parachutes, all sorts of homebuilts and
antique aircraft, will flood the airport for the weekend.
Event coordinators say the event drew just under 500 aircraft
last year -- and with the airport open all day, that number should
be easily surpassed this year.
The fly-in will offer forums covering technical topics such as
fabric covering, paint and painting, flight testing and aviation
weather forecasting. Ron Wagner, EAA Field Relations Manager -- and
the group's self-described "LSA guru" -- will explain how these and
the new regulations can allow you to get your pilot's license more
quickly and cheaply.
Seven LSA manufacturers are attending, according to Fly-In
Manager Judy Sparks. Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, as well as
Wicks Aircraft Supply, will join other aviation companies selling
aviation items.
A new forum this year for the non-technical person will focus on
the building of the Udvar-Hazy Center branch of the Smithsonian Air
& Space Museum at Dulles Airport.
And for the first time, you can participate in a hands-on
workshop on aircraft engine overhaul, with morning and afternoon
sessions of the disassembly and assembly of a Continental O-200
engine. Teledyne-Mattituck will answer questions on their wide
range of new and overhauled engines.
As regular ANN readers know, one of our most-loved events at
Oshkosh -- and especially, at the Northwest EAA Fly-In in
Arlington, WA -- are the many events available that allow children
to develop a love of aviation. That mission is not lost on Virginia
Regional Fly-In officials, either, with a number of fun, hands-on
activities available for youngsters in the popular Youth Tent.
Also returning is the very popular Control Line Model Airplane
flying circle -- to give kids an opportunity to fly one of these
buzzing flying machines.
A special treat will be an illustrated talk on the the most
famous B-29, the Enola Gay, given by a senior docent at the
National Air & Space Museum, Scott A. Willey. He will be the
headliner for the Saturday evening volunteer dinner.
In order to partially support the fly-in, for attendees 14 and
older will be a requested donation of $10 per person at the gate
for drive-ins, and $5.00 per person for those flying in.