Bigger Than Ever

The grassy area used for parking and displays is bigger. Performers and exhibitors are already starting to arrive. Volunteers were up until 10:00 pm Wednesday night fiddling with generators and generally making ready. The EAA Copperstate Fly-In is underway in Casa Grande (AZ).

It's described as one of the "friendliest" fly-ins in America. Director Bob Hasson says he expects almost twice the 650 aircraft they had last year. The "grassy area," a field of green in a sea of sand, has been tripled in size to accommodate as many as 20,000 visitors who started arriving in droves on Wednesday. Already, Hasson estimates 100 aircraft are on the ground.

Those spectators will see the CAF's B-17 both on the ground and in flight. As a matter of fact, they'll have a chance to take a ride (ANN's Associate Editor, Pete Combs, is already slobbering at the idea...).

But as big a thrill as that will be, an even bigger one is the chance to see National Aerobatic Champion Kirby Chambliss in action during all three days of the fly-in's air show (Friday-Sun). Hasson says Chambliss's take-off is breathtaking. Copperstate will also feature a CAF C-47 "Gooney Bird" and several replica warbird fighters. There will be experimental aircraft on static display and in the air, as well as 130 vendors, including all major kit plane manufacturers.

Copperstate runs from Thursday through Sunday.

FMI: www.copperstate.org