Aviation

Iowa PilotPalooza caters to pilots and potential pilots!

See PilotPalooza poster (PDF)

Rod Machado is on a mission to keep the FUN in aviation education. That makes this popular aviation humorist, educator, and author, the perfect featured speaker to join Iowa aviation enthusiasts for the first ever Iowa PilotPalooza!

The Iowa PilotPalooza will be held June 1 at the Boone Municipal Airport (25 mi northwest of Des Moines) from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.  It is an event by pilots, for pilots!  Pilots from all over Iowa are encouraged to attend, and airport groups are encouraged to promote fly outs by organizing numerous aircraft departures from each airport. 

Event organizers are challenging all pilots to fly-in with a potential pilot (or 2 or 3).  Imagine a nice flight over Iowa's green countryside, lot's of planes at the airport, attending pilot forums, enjoying dinner, a humorous presentation by Rod Machado, and a sunset flight home.  Wow, if that won't get someone revved up to become a pilot, what will? The goal is for new students to be signing up for flight lessons the following week.

In addition to numerous planes, static displays, homebuilt projects, food, and music,  there will be a large tent on the airside of the airport that will host a 1 ½ hour pilot forum that afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. before Rod Machado takes the stage at 6 p.m. 

If you have ever been at the airport in Boone, the open forum tent and stage will be set up in the grass, very close to the GlassAir wind tee and overlooking the runways at the airport, so it will be a very relaxed, grass roots aviation environment!  In fact, the PilotPalooza is an informal event prone more to shorts, flip flops, and your favorite flying hat.

Grilled food will be available for purchase, but other than that, the event is completely free!  Pack a cooler along in the plane with your favorite (non-alcoholic) beverage, and if you have room, bring your most comfortable lawn chair along too.

Aircraft dealers and owners looking to sell their aircraft are encouraged to bring for-sale aircraft to the event!  Be sure to bring signs that give details.  Accordingly, this is a good place to go if you are looking to explore ownership options!  There will also be some homebuilt projects on display and various interesting aircraft that are already planned for static display.

For anyone who wants to stick around, overnight camping and a late-night movie projected on the hangar will be available.

The Iowa PilotPalooza by the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group came together as a joint effort with the Iowa DOT's Office of Aviation to hold a new event in Iowa focused on providing a pilot social activity, drawing new people into aviation, and promoting aviation safety and education.  The airport in Boone was chosen for its proven ability to support large numbers of fly-in aircraft, as well as the generous effort on the part of the airport, its FBO CY Aviation, and the Boone Area Pilot's Association to make the event a success.  

Regardless if you are there for the day, or overnight, it will be a good idea to keep an eye on the weather and bring along a set of tie downs in the case of wind.  There is a backup plan in case of bad weather, but organizers plan not to use it.  Cross your fingers for beautiful weather, plan your flight carefully, and be alert to heavy traffic at the airport.   It is going to be a fun afternoon and evening!

Iowa PilotPalooza Agenda | Saturday, June 1, 2013

See PilotPalooza poster (PDF)

2 p.m. Arrivals- Boone Airport
3:30 p.m.

Pilot forum- Forum Tent
Wes Sharp with Agri-Tech Aviation and the Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association  discussing aerial applicators and living together in the airport environment.

Aaron McCartan, aerobatic instructor and U.S. National Aerobatics Contest Director, speaking about competitive aerobatics and reviving the sport in Iowa!

Shane Vande Voort, flight examiner and FBO discussing aircraft ownership options and the various opportunities for learning to fly in Iowa.

Experimental Aircraft Association (invited) discussing AirVenture, homebuilts as an aircraft ownership option, EAA chapter flying clubs, and the Young Eagles program.

Yasmina Platt with the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association addressing flying clubs, aircraft owner and pilot resources through AOPA, and 3rd class medical legislation.

5 p.m. Break
6 p.m. Featured speaker- Forum Tent
Rod Machado, Aviation humorist and educator
7:30 p.m. Departures- Boone Airport

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