Twin Cities lands major aviation fly-in

Photo: AOPA

Minnesota today was named as one of five areas of the country that will host “fly-ins” by the largest organization of general aviation pilots.

Anoka County–Blaine Airport will host one of the fly-ins on Aug. 22, the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association announced. Other fly-ins will be held near Washington, central California, Colorado, and Tennessee. A fly-in is a one-day “convention” of aviation enthusiasts

In 2014, AOPA president Mark Baker, a Minnesota native, eliminated the one-national-fly-in tradition of the group and scheduled seven regional fly-ins, attracting about 3,000 airplanes.

Airports vying to host the events were required to provide parking for 500 aircraft, hangar space for exhibits, and financial assistance with the organization (See request for proposal form).

Related: How a Minnesota man won an airplane (NewsCut)