Eye on Buckeye | February 2024 | Buckeye Air Fair

on Buckeye February 2024

on Buckeye the official publication of the city of Buckeye

February 2024

3 the Air Fair

What to Expect at

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Meet the Airshow Performers Event Details

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Air Fair Tips

CITY OF BUCKEYE 530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326 623.349.6000 For more information on this publication, contact John O’Halloran at johalloran@buckeyeaz.gov or call 623.349.6976

COUNCIL UPDATE District 1 Representative Tony Youngker

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he 2024 Buckeye Air Fair is set to return February 16 - 18 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport with all new acts, including the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, night aerobatics and fireworks!

We’re thrilled to have joined forces once again with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to make the event a reality and provide another fantastic Fly-In for their members.

What began as a small airport open house has transformed into an action-packed destination weekend that draws in visitors from around the country. Last year, our premier event brought in more than 35,000 spectators and contributed more than $5 million to the local economy.

This event shines the spotlight on our city and our airport which is primed to become a pivotal economic hub for Buckeye’s future. If you’ve yet to experience our airport, this is a great opportunity to get the family together and enjoy an all-access weekend full of amazing aviation experiences.

This edition of the Eye on Buckeye will prepare you for the sky-high thrills and introduce you to this year’s all new adrenaline-pumping acts. We hope to see you there, it’s a weekend event that you won’t want to miss.

BUCKEYE CITY COUNCIL Eric Orsborn, Mayor Clay Goodman, Vice Mayor, District 6 Tony Youngker, District 1 Jeanine Guy, District 2 Michelle Hess, District 3 Patrick HagEstad, District 4 Craig Heustis, District 5

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Jon Melby Airshow With the wide variety of performers and aircraft on the airshow circuit today, Jon concentrates on flying freestyle maneuvers in a modern biplane. Although the biplane has a classic look, Jon keeps the audience’s attention with his aggressive performance style. He takes time prior to the show to mingle with the crowd, which energizes them up and makes the crowd feel as if they are part of his performance.

Red Thunder Airshows The Red Thunder Airshows brings precision aerobatics that thrill crowds across America with exciting displays of breathtaking maneuvers. This two ship performance features aviation professionals that put on crowd-pleasing shows in Russian Yak 50 airplanes with unmistakable radial engine sound, smoke, tight formation flying and jaw-dropping solo maneuvers.

GhostWriter Airshows Nathan’s airshow journey began early, taking flight at two weeks old on his mother’s lap. Influenced by this upbringing, he honed his skills, ensuring safe yet breathtaking aerial displays.

Today, GhostWriter takes flight in a riveting routine with loops, rolls and daring verticals, captivating audiences at every turn. As night falls, he illuminates the sky with 200 pounds of pyrotechnics, casting a spellbinding display against the stars, a true dance in the night.

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AIRSH PERF Airshow Announcer Jeff Overby Jeff Overby became hooked on aviation in 1996 after attending a local fly-in. He was offered a ride and that is all that it took to get him hooked on aviation. He enjoys the unlimited freedom, speed and feeling of G-Force as he regularly takes to the skies. He has owned several airplanes from Cessna’s, Float & Ski equipped Piper Super Cub and several aerobatic models. Jeff now travels from his home base of Phoenix, AZ with wife Melissa and two children Trevin and Lindsey, entertaining crowds at some of the largest airshows in the United States.

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A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team The A-10C Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. The A-10C aircraft will captivate audiences with their impressive display of close maneuvers, intense flybys and breathtaking acrobatics, showcasing the capabilities of these twin-engine jet aircraft.

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NextGen Eagles Aerobatic Ask anybody in his family and they will tell you that Leland has always been looking up at airplanes. His parents got him his first flight lessons at the age of 13 and he went solo on his 16th birthday. Now flying an Eagle II, his engaging airshow connects with everybody from first timers to long time airshow veterans.

With tons of smoke and beautiful colors, the show is not one to miss!

HOW FORMERS

Additional stunt pilot acts are still being added to the event. Check out the latest details at buckeyeairfair.com

Franklin’s Flying Circus With over 25 years in airshows, third-generation pilot Kyle Franklin began his aviation journey at age eight, swiftly transitioning to professional performances. His wife, Liz Franklin, a licensed tail wheel and instrument pilot with a lifelong passion for flight, shares an aviation background.

The Super Cub, a favorite plane of Franklin’s Flying Circus, plays a crucial role in numerous acts, including motorcycle-to-airplane transfers, truck-to-airplane stunts, comedies, dual comedies and the flaming fire-wall crash.

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Aerial Extreme Skydiving Team The team was started by its team Captain, former Army Officer, Tom Talbott. After his time in the military, he set out to put together a world class performance team that is made up of former special operations soldiers and world class skydivers. Together they hold numerous national and world records in the sport.

Over the years the team has developed and pioneered several lighted suits, smoke and pyrotechnic devices used by skydiving teams throughout the world.

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Event Details Dates & Times

• Friday, Feb. 16: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 17: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Air show & fireworks from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Feb. 19: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Air show from 1 to 4 p.m.

Parking

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$

Purchase your parking passes today!

(Price increases to $15 on Feb. 16)

Multi-day parking passes available too!

Purchase parking passes online in advance at buckeyeairfair.com

Getting There

• All traffic must use I-10 and exit south on Palo Verde Rd. • For safety concerns, cars approaching from the south will be redirected to SR-85 and then to I-10 for event entry • Southbound Palo Verde Road will be used for inbound traffic only from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday

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Other Activities AOPA Fly-In

Buckeye is proud to be partnering with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for another awesome AOPA Fly-In in 2024 at the Buckeye Air Fair. AOPA attracts pilots from all over the country to display their personal aircraft while attending seminars, experiencing hands-on aircraft displays and listening to lectures from industry experts.

Aviation Academy: Field Trip Friday

5th to 12th grade students are invited to explore aviation STEAM through interactive and hands on activities while speaking to pilots. The airport will be open for them to move around and experience each booth while learning all about the science behind aviation.

Kids Zone

Rides, bounce houses and ziplines! Access the Kids Zone activities with the purchase of a wristband for all day fun. Pre-purchased passes are available online at buckeyeairfair.com. $15/Price increases to $20 on Friday, February 16.

Get Involved!

Sign Up as a Volunteer Be part of the thrill that makes the Buckeye Air Fair an annual success! Volunteer for a variety of positions and get a premium view of this high-flying event.

Volunteers will receive a free parking pass, complementary shirt and lunch (based on availability).

Volunteering is open for groups or individual participation, ages 16+.

Arizona SciTech Festival Saturday

Visitors at the Air Fair will be able to discover, experience

and explore aviation STEAM through interactive and hands on activities.

Flight School Sunday

If you are interested in learning to fly, you are invited to attend Flight School Sunday. You will learn the basics about flying from RC Flyers and other pilots. You can test out what you learned via flight simulators, where you become the pilot. If you want to take your training to the next level, information about flight schools will be available for your next step on becoming a pilot. eye on buckeye

Complete details and volunteer sign up at buckeyeairfair.com.

• Feb. 16 – Assisting with Field Trip Friday, Kids Zone, Set Up & Clean Up Crews • Feb. 17 & 18 – Locations include Kids Zone, Volunteer Hangar and Event Booths

Become a Vendor Showcase your business or non-profit agency at Buckeye’s most popular event, the 2024 Buckeye Air Fair.

More than 30,000 spectators attend each year, vendors with an aviation focus are welcome to participate.

• Food • Novelty • Artistic • Non-profit organizations Visit buckeyeairfair.com for the vendor application form and submit it to Phil Yabes at pyabes@buckeyeaz.gov.

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530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326

Helpful Tips

The Do’s

for the Buckeye Air Fair!

Follow these tips so you and your family have a great day at the Buckeye Air Fair! Note: There are no ATMs on site. Complete details on everything for the Buckeye Air Fair is at buckeyeairfair.com.

Bring a hat Bring hearing protection (Especially for kids)

Portable chairs/ umbrellas

Food/Concessions

Photography/ videos

Strollers/wagons

Shop vendors/ Air Fair merch

Sunscreen & sunglasses

Bring plenty of water (No glass bottles) Binoculars (If you want a closer view)

The Dont’s

for the Buckeye Air Fair!

Smoking

Tents & Awnings

Cooking Equipment

Drones

Weapons of any kind

Wheel-based personal transportation

Comfortable shoes (Be prepared to walk) Restrooms are available throughout the airport Bring the kids With a kid’s zone, simulators and other fun activities, the whole family is sure to have a terrific time

Pets (certified service dogs only)