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."

FMI: www.VirginiaFlyIn.org