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.)

FMI: www.swrfi.org