The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest member-aviation organization, will host the first of seven fly-ins for 2014 at San Marcos Municipal Airport (KHYI) on Saturday, April 26.

Hundreds of aircraft are expected in San Marcos, and also at nearby New Braunfels Airport (KBAZ), the fly-in’s reliever airport with shuttle bus service to San Marcos.

The San Marcos fly-in will feature a Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President Mark Baker, as well as a sold-out pancake breakfast and a free lunch for AOPA members.

Aircraft from the Commemorative Air Force’s Central Texas Wing will be on display at the CAF’s San Marcos hangar, and “Aluminum Overcast,” the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17, will offer rides for hire. The fly-in will also feature static aircraft displays and a number of aviation product exhibits.

In addition, the San Marcos fly-in will include safety and skill seminars conducted by notable aviation experts:

• AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg will conduct a session on “Radio Communications Done Right;”
• Flight instructor Rod Machado will discuss “Yoke and Pedal” flying skills;
• Sporty’s Pilot Shop’s John Zimmerman will focus on “Flying with the IPad;”
• MyGoFlight will conduct an EFB (electronic flight bag) challenge;
• JetBlue Airways pilot and general aviation maintenance guru Adrian Eichhorn will discuss owner maintenance;
• Woody Cahall, AOPA vice president of flight operations, will hold a flying clubs session.

The full San Marcos schedule may be viewed here

The night before the San Marcos fly-in, AOPA will conduct a Rusty Pilots seminar, which is designed to bring lapsed pilots back into flying. The program includes a 2.5-hour seminar to update pilots on topics such as recent airspace and regulatory changes. Friday night’s program is already at capacity.

That course fulfills the FAA ground review for currency. With some additional dual flight time with an instructor, lapsed pilots can quickly get back into flying. For more info go to: Rusty Pilots

Rusty Pilots programs will be offered before each AOPA fly-in this year, and other sessions will be also be hosted by flights schools and flying clubs nationwide in coordination with AOPA.

Following the San Marcos fly-in, AOPA will host fly-ins in Indianapolis, Ind., (May 31), Plymouth, Mass, (July 12), Spokane, Wash., (Aug. 16), Chino, Calif., (Sept. 20), and St. Simon’s, Ga., (Nov. 8). AOPA will celebrate its 75th anniversary during an Oct. 4 fly-in at its Frederick, Md., headquarters.