More Educational Forums, Workshops, And A Rally Against The
Clock
The organizers of the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight at
Suffolk Executive Airport (KSFQ) are taking care of last-minute
details in anticipation of opening the gates at 0800 Saturday
morning. Gordon Campbell, the President of the Council, expects to
the turnout to exceed the 300 airplanes and 3500 people who
attended in 2009, and fly-in Manager Judy Sparks reports that the
main vendor tent is sold out, and twenty-six new banner signs
designed by graphic artist Jim Heidish will guide attendees to
multiple vendor displays, educational forums, workshops, to the
ultralight area and to shuttle stops.
For the first time, the NTSB and the AOPA Aviation Safety
Foundation are sending forum speakers to the event. As in previous
years, forums and workshops will offer attendees the latest
information about various aviation topics including modern panel
electronics, guidance on becoming a pilot, how to make good
weather decisions and what you should know about your propeller.
"This year we have a record 38-session schedule of educational
forums and 6 workshops," said forum chair Dee Wittington. For
the first time, the Fighter Factory Restoration Center will be open
for guided tours. Two tractor-drawn shuttles, one handicap ramp
equipped, will provide easy transport around the grounds and over
to the Restoration Center. Nationally known guitarist Ravi will
offer his thought provoking challenge on Rejuvenating Aviation From
the Ground Up daily, and will also perform for the volunteer dinner
on Saturday evening.
On Sunday a new Rally Adventure will pit homebuilts and light
sport planes against the clock. Charlie Collier, the rally
organizer, explains, "I participated in a similar rally some years
ago and found it really fun. I'm inviting pilots of homebuilts and
light sport airplanes to enter and fly a 60NM course against the
clock. We'll be awarding trophies to the winners in each horsepower
category." Entrants will be launched in one-minute intervals
starting at 0900. The final deadline for signing up in person is
Saturday at 2100 on the field. Participants must check in Sunday
morning before the 0900 start time.
This year for the first time NASA Langley will have a new tent
housing three flight simulators and computer games in the expanded
Youth Area. In these forums geared to kids, NASA Langley engineers
will speak on the basics of airplane and spacecraft flights. Nearby
radio control aircraft enthusiasts will give flight demonstrations
of electric powered RC models throughout the weekend. As happened
last year, a Coast Guard C-130 will do a fly-by on Saturday about
noon. Two helicopters, one from the Coast Guard and another from
WAVY TV10 will be on the field for display.
A wide range of Light Sport manufacturers are attending to
answer questions and provide demo flights throughout the fly-in.
Non-aircraft aviation vendors will fill the large vendor tent as
well as their own separate displays.
Pilots may arrive early on Saturday to enjoy a pancake breakfast
starting at 0800. Attendees driving in with RVs have the option of
some spaces with electric hookups. Under-the-Wing camping is free
for those who fly in.
In a nod to pilot's wallets, Kent Marshall the Airport Manager,
is offering 100LL full service at $4.08 a gallon and self-service
at $3.78 a gallon. Self-service Mogas is $2.98. With two 100LL
trucks and a new high pressure refill capability at the fuel farm,
pilots will get quick service. In addition, at the Aircraft
Registration tent pilots can request their airplane be judged
and pick up a prop card.
The Aircraft Parking Chairman, Mike Glave, asks all pilots,
"Please place a sign in your windshield to help parkers guide you
to the appropriate parking area. You can print out the two-letter
code sign from the Festival of Flight web site under
Arriving|Airplane."
Even the weather seems to be cooperating. In a e-mail,
Wittington tells ANN "The rains have stopped and a report from the
field today (Thursday) says that the 4-inches of rain is drying
under clear, sunny skies."