EAA Plans 39th Annual Get-Together Next Month

Organizers of the EAA Southwest Regional Fly-In (SWRFI) are getting ready for their 39th annual event at the New Braunfels (TX) Airport, May 16-17. Ideally located halfway between Austin and San Antonio, this is the event founded by the late Tony Bingelis in 1965. It was originally held in nearby Georgetown (TX).

"We now are at the best location ever," SWRFI President Stan Shannon said.

"Not only is it a great airport with 1,000 acres of grass, lots of ramp for vendors and heavy aircraft, but we will have two days of forums, workshops, fly-bys and aircraft judging, along with Texas hospitality in a family travel destination community."

SWRFI organizers are promoting the event as homecoming-Back home in the Hill Country. "We've invited the former (fly-in) presidents to be our guests as well as many former show winners and several from our first year in Georgetown," Shannon said.

Other fly-in highlights:

• The annual fly-in banquet is Saturday night (May 16) at the airport features special guest speaker Charles Duke of Apollo 16.
• More than 70 aviation vendors have reserved space this far.
• Breakfast will be served on the field Sunday morning prior to church.
• An area attraction includes the world's largest water-park, Schlitterbahn, which provides discounted admission on Sunday after SWRFI.

Two new hotels have been added, but Shannon reports hotel blocks are beginning to fill up fast, so those planning to attend should make reservations by April 15. ANN's Juan Jimenez will be covering this event for us, and Jim Campbell is hoping to make it out there as well...

FMI: www.swrfi.org, www.nbcham.org