Things Are Looking Up!

Barbara Tolbert has the sweetest voice in the world. Her calm, cheery demeanor is ever so amazing, given the fact that it's two days before her big event -- the Northwest EAA Fly-In at Arlington (WA). From Wednesday through Sunday, the usually quiet, uncontrolled field at Arlington will have a control tower, an approach control and special procedures for the expected 1300-1600 aircraft that are expected. It's the nation's third-biggest fly-in and yet, Barbara Tolbert is as cool as a cucumber on a misty Puget Sound morning.

"I don't know anyone who is interested in aviation that doesn't want a job with aviation," she says on her cell phone. She's on the go, as usual, at the tail-end of a 14 hour day. "I have that job."

The NWEAA Fly-In this year is chock-full of workshops that Barbara thinks will most interest pilots and aviation enthusiasts. From welding classes to a forum on flying aboard commercial air transport (yeah, that's a sore subject certainly worth a couple of hours' time), the 45,000 to 60,000 attendees at this year's show will have plenty to do and plenty to see.

"The first day of every show we've done over the past nine years has been dedicated to children," Barbara says. "We have lots of kids events -- you know, some hands-on things for them to see and do. After all, children are the future of aviation."

Even though it's the third largest air show in the country, the NWEAA event is considered "the friendliest fly-in in America." Barbara attributes that to the warmth of the volunteer staff and the fact that they keep coming back year after year.

"Every air show has its own personality," she says. "Ours is known as friendly. It's in a beautiful setting, with mountains, the ocean and tall trees nearby. And the people who volunteer for this show every year add a sense of warmth to that."

To that end, volunteer EAA pilots will work with the Young Eagles program to get as many youngsters into the air as possible. Barbara expects 400-600 Young Eagle flights during the show's five-day run.

In celebration of the Centennial of Flight this year, the EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh (WI) has loaned the Arlington chapter one of its Wright Flyers. This year's show will also feature a fly-by from an F-117 Stealth Fighter and a B-52 on both Saturday and Sunday.

Like all of us, Barbara has watched air show attendance as one barometer for interest in the industry. "After September 11th, we didn't lose any attendance. But we didn't gain any either," she says. "This year, we have more than 130 exhibitors and vendors. That's an increase over last year. I think it's a positive sign."

Barbara isn't thinking much about signs, however. Not right now -- unless they're the kind of signs that direct show-goers to the airport. Instead, she's thinking of what's left to do. She's thinking about delegating tasks to the 70 or so volunteers, many of whom are veterans with the Arlington Fly-In. And she's already thinking about next year's show.

"We have a great municipality behind us at this airport. It's very friendly and gracious toward general aviation. Next year, we'll have the world's first FBO at a GA airport dedicated to sport aviators. We'll work with them to develop indoor exhibits. Everybody is working with the airport."

NOTE: ANN's Jim Campbell will be on his way to Arlington shortly after you read this. Agreeing that Arlington is "THE friendliest Fly-In in the world," Jim is looking forward to bringing you stories every day from the site of one of his favorite events. Keep an eye out for them...

FMI: www.nweaa.org