CAA: GA News, "One more Copperstate for Williams Gateway"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, April 28, 2000

One more Copperstate for Williams Gateway
GA News


MESA, Arizona — Still looking to obtain a long-term lease at another airport
in Arizona, the Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-In is returning to Williams
Gateway Airport in Mesa for one last year.

The 29th annual event is scheduled for Oct. 12-15. Last year’s fly-in drew
visitors from at least 24 states and four foreign countries. More than 120
exhibitors participated in the trade show, and 660 aircraft flew in. All
told, it’s the largest EAA fly-in in the Southwest.

“We’re thankful that Williams Gateway is allowing us to hold the event here
one more year,” said Bob Hasson, Copperstate Fly-In chairman.

Copperstate, which runs from Thursday through Sunday, will once again
feature an air show the last three days of the fly-in. So far Ken Brock, Ken
Fowler and Ed Hamill have confirmed that they will perform, and more acts
are awaiting confirmation.

But there’s more to Copperstate than the air show.

Bruce Schoenberger’s award-winning rib-building program allows kids 8-15
years old to build a wooden airplane rib in 90 minutes or less.

Free flights in general aviation aircraft are offered to kids through the
EAA’s Young Eagles program. Educational forums and workshops are a mainstay
of any EAA event. More than 60 forums were conducted at the 1999 event, with
as many as five going concurrently. Forum topics ranged from FAA
certification procedures to NTSB safety reports to border-crossing
procedures to building RV aircraft.

One unusual aspect of Copperstate forums is the emphasis on auto-engine
conversions. An entire forum tent is dedicated to such technology, from GM
V-6s to VW and Subaru conversions.

Aircraft builders can learn new construction techniques and hone their
skills at any of the hands-on workshops. Workshops include fabric-covering
(sponsored by Poly-Fiber), woodworking, metalworking, composites, welding,
engine repair and avionics.

For the aircraft builder who’s looking for aviation memorabilia or
out-of-production parts, vendors and the Fly Market present a variety of
choices. Goods range from books, clothing and collectibles to tools and
aircraft parts.

The Fly Market, which has also expanded, is expected to offer over $45,000
worth of aviation goods on consignment. Instruments, airplane parts, tools,
engines, cases and even whole aircraft projects are typically for sale.

Another event that goes on somewhat behind the scenes is the judging of show
planes in several categories. Awards for best homebuilt (wood, composite or
other), best ultralight, and people’s choice are among the awards presented
at the Saturday night banquet. The 1999 Copperstate Grand Champion was an
RV-6 owned by Tyler Feldman of Medford, Oregon.

For more information on Copperstate, call 520-400-8887 or log on to
Copperstate.org.


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