It’s that time again to open your calendars and mark the dates for CPA’s 2023 season of exciting aviation adventures! We recently held our annual Fly-in planning meeting and as usual have a full slate of events in several states.
This long tradition continues with our members stepping up each year to create Fly-ins serving a wide variety of interests. In every venue there’s something for everyone. And in the CPA, everyone includes pilots ranging from retired heavy jet airline captains to private pilots flying single engine airplanes right down to student pilots renting from flight schools or even those just thinking about becoming a pilot. The tent is tall and wide and offers something for everyone. If you are “into” aviation and want to see some beautiful countryside in the process, CPA is one stop shopping!
This year we’re making a concerted effort for members who don’t own airplanes to ride along with those who do on some of these trips. This transfer of knowledge from our more experienced pilots to younger ones just starting up the ratings ladder is part of what we do. Flying airplanes, traveling in them, learning how to operate them safely and getting to know others with similar interests are all integrated into our annual Fly-in program. And for the princely sum of 20 bucks, you can join CPA and step into this world right along with us any time you wish!
2023 events include some very affordable, close-by destinations where density altitude is not a problem, nor is the pain of increased aviation fuel cost. Two are in Nebraska and on the other end of the spectrum are jaunts to several other states as we’ll cross mountains like Superman did “in a single bound.” In between there is a backcountry trip to the ever-popular Johnson Creek, Idaho. Then there’s the tour of historic Trinity Site in New Mexico. Don’t miss the annular eclipse flight for one of those “bucket list” experiences. We’re on it!
Our trips offer not only a lot of fun and great experiences, but also traveling with a group of like-minded fellow aviators who can help out should any aircraft problems occur. We’re a large “family” of members where no one is shunned because they are new in the organization or new to aviation. We’re always here as are our beautiful mountains. Try us out!
Bill Marvel
CPA Fly-in Chair