More Attendees, Planes, Cars, Campers...
There was more of
everything at the 42nd Annual EAA Southwest Regional Fly-In, which
wrapped up May 14 in Hondo, TX. By every measure, it was a bigger
-- and better -- event than at any other time over the past 10
years, with more aircraft, automobiles, campers (both air and
auto), exhibitors, forums, volunteers... and attendees.
Representatives with SWRFI (also called the EAA Texas Fly-In)
tell Aero-News attendance at Hondo Municipal Airport (KHDO) for the
two-and-a-half-day Fly-In was 6,100, a 35-percent increase over
2005, and a 52-percent increase over 2004. It was the largest
number of people to attend the SWRFI in 10 years.
Even more impressive, 760 aircraft flew to Hondo this year -- a
46-percent gain over 2005, and the largest number of planes in 10
years.
"The late Tony Bingelis, who inspired the first Southwest Fly-In
forty-two years ago, would be proud and possibly a little
astonished at what his friends and associates have done," SWRFI
organizers told ANN.
There were 210 hearty souls who camped during the fly-in. Some
camped beside their airplanes, while others hooked up to electric
power with highway R-Vs (as distinguished from "real" RVs, the ones
that fly.) Still others pitched tents within walking distance of
the brand-new outdoor showers at the field (and one "pilot,"
below, simply camped out under a ready-made "tent".)
SWRFI can't break down the camper count by categories, but the
grand total was 90-percent larger than 2005. Clearly, camping is a
big part of the EAA Fly-In experience.
All those in attendance were able to enjoy relatively cool
conditions for southern Texas: overnight temps in the low 50s, with
afternoon temps in the high 80s. Blue skies and good breezes
greeted flyers and spectators alike.
Seventy-three exhibitors filled a large hangar, and spread along
the parking ramp in tents. Demonstrators of Light Sport Aircraft
were particularly prominent and busy. SWRFI also hosted 38 forums,
which were well-attended -- especially those given by SpaceShipOne
pilot Mike Melvill, the first civilian astronaut (below).
Most importantly, SWRFI organizers report 225 volunteers gave
their time and energy to make sure the fly-in was a success-- the
largest number of volunteers since organizers began keeping count
of them in 2001.
As anyone who's ever been to an EAA Fly-In can tell you,
volunteers are the life-blood of any fly-in; without them,
operations would be simply impossible.
Plans are already being made to increase the number of
volunteers at the 2007 EAA Texas Fly-In, to be held at Hondo, TX
during May 12 and 13 next year.
The Texas Fly-In is an annual sponsored event of the
Experimental Aircraft Association's Southwest Regional Fly-In.
(ANN thanks E.D. Yoes for the great pics from this year's
EAA Texas Fly-In.)
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