Cites Declining Numbers, Loss Of EAA Support

Representatives of the Southwest Regional Fly-In, Inc., also known as the EAA Texas Fly-In, informed ANN over the weekend of some sad news... that the officers and directors of the SWRFI voted to cancel the fly-in scheduled for October 10-11, 2008 and to ultimately cease operations.

The reasons given for the board's decision came as something of a surprise. In addition to dwindling attendance numbers and difficulty in attracting volunteers for the annual event in Hondo, TX, in the end declining support from the Experimental Aircraft Association for the regional event spelled trouble for SWRFI... and may portend similar problems for other regional fly-ins. 

"EAA headquarters decided to cease branding regional fly-ins as EAA events," SWRFI officials said, "[and] EAA will no longer insure regional events. The board felt that losing the EAA brand would make it increasingly difficult to obtain sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers."

Noting SWRFI remains in sound financial shape and is, in fact, debt free, organizers say the group will continue to support youth in aviation -- and to that end, the board of directors voted to create a youth scholarship fund.

Scholarships will assist deserving young men and women in attending aviation related educational programs. Chapters will be notified of the scholarship application process in the coming months.

In addition, the SWRFI-sponsored EAA Young Eagles, Hondo Aviation Day, will continue as planned and is scheduled for March 15, 2008.

"As the direction of the SWRFI changes, and as an exciting 46-year aviation era ends, we look back with gratitude to Tony Bingelis who founded the fly-in, Paul Poberezny who founded EAA, the many chapters, dedicated EAA volunteers, sponsors and the exhibitors who made this fly-in possible," SWRFI stated.

(Editor's Note -- Several statements in ANN's original story were incorrectly attributed to Stan Shannon, SWRFI Chairman and CEO. ANN regrets the error.)

FMI: www.swrfi.org, www.eaa.org