Eye on Buckeye | January 2023 | Buckeye Air Fair

Take to the Skies!

Flying High on Buckeye

The 2023 Buckeye Air Fair is back and bigger than ever with new partnerships and performers, February 17 through 19 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport! This year, we are joining forces with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) for the first AOPA Fly-In of 2023.

“Our new partnership with AOPA will attract pilots from all over the country to the Buckeye Air Fair,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “AOPA will provide pilots access to safety seminars, handson aircraft displays and lectures from industry experts, and Buckeye will provide another exciting airshow and great, family friendly fun for Arizona.”

Local stunt pilot favorites Jon Melby from Chandler and Red Thunder Air Shows, LLC from Litchfield Park will join four other intense acts to make up this year’s 2 ½ hour action packed airshow.

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

Our newest addition to the Buckeye Air Fair, the Red Thunder Airshows brings precision aerobatics that thrill crowds across America with exciting displays of breathtaking maneuvers. These aviation professionals put on crowd-pleasing shows in Russian Yak 50 airplanes with unmistakable radial engine sound, smoke, tight formation flying and jaw-dropping solo maneuvers.

Meet your 2023 Airshow Performers

Tucker’s Air Patrol

Tucker will be performing three acts in his 1941 Piper J3 Cub as a throwback to the barnstorming days of aviation. Since he was 12-yearsold, Tucker dreamed of performing comedy acts at airshows. Now, 25 years later, he takes to the skies! This the fulfillment of the dream that started in the barn of one of his mentors, Jimmy Mynning.

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.

Brad

Wursten

Power Addiction Airshow

Brad is flying one of the most highly sophisticated airplanes in the world, the MXS-R. It features a complete carbon fiber airframe that weighs an impressive 1100 lbs. Brad brings power and performance into each airshow and pushes the envelope in one of the most advanced aerobatic aircraft in the world today.

your 2023 Airshow Performers

Mini Jet Airshow

Tom Larkin flies the SubSonex, an experimental jet that comes as a kit. It weighs 500 pounds, goes up to 300 mph and it is fully aerobatic. This aircraft was the first kit ever sold and flown, and it has been flying for approximately four years. As beautiful as the jet is, there is no paint on it. It is completely wrapped in a vinyl covering. The smoke system is totally custom and it puts out a tremendous smoke trail from start to finish.

Pylon Aviation

With the wide variety of performers, over 30 years of aviation experience and more than 10,000 flight hours, Pylon Aviation’s owner Scott Urschel is currently one of a handful FAA licensed helicopter aerobatic pilots flying in airshows. When not flying helicopters Scott also fly’s the P51 Mustang and other World War II fighters as well as corporate jets.

Vanguard Squadron

The Vanguard Squadron flies a dazzling four ship formation aerobatic airshow powered by only ethanol. The team of four Vans RV-3 airplanes demonstrates formation flying at its finest, including formation loops and rolls. Flying formation aerobatics requires intense dedication and practice and the Vanguards bring a wealth of experience to the show with over two decades of airshow experience!

Dates & Times

• Friday, Feb. 17: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 18: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Air show from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

• Sunday, Feb. 19: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

•

show from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Other Activities

AOPA Fly-In

Buckeye is proud to be partnering with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for the first AOPA FlyIn of 2023 at the Buckeye Air Fair. AOPA will attract pilots from all over the country to display their personal aircraft while attending safety seminars, hands-on aircraft displays and lectures from industry experts.

AOPA’s “You Can Fly” program will also have a large presence at the event with the goal of attracting, recruiting and retaining young people to the aviation industry.

Aviation Academy featuring:

Field Trip Friday

5th to 12th grade students are invited to explore aviation STEAM programs 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. Sign your class up at buckeyeairfair.com

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.

Get Involved!

Sign Up as a Volunteer

Buckeye’s Community Service Department is looking for volunteers for each day of the Buckeye Air Fair. There are a variety of jobs to choose from depending on your availability. Plus, you get a front row seat to all the action!

• Feb. 17 – Assisting with Field Trip Friday

• Feb. 18 & 19 – Locations include Kids Zone, Candy Drop, Volunteer Hangar, VIP Tent and Event Booths

Volunteer opportunities are open for both groups and individuals, and all ages are welcome to participate. The complete list of volunteer opportunities and how to register is online at buckeyeairfair.com.

Become a Vendor

Showcase your business or non-profit agency at Buckeye’s most popular event, the 2023 Buckeye Air Fair. More than 30,000 spectators attend each year, and all types of vendors are welcome to participate.

• Food

• Arts & crafts

• Non-profit organizations

• Home-based businesses Visit buckeyeairfair.com for the vendor application form and submit it to Phil Yabes at pyabes@buckeyeaz.gov.