In the Field
Valdez May Day Fly-In Soars

The second annual Valdez May Day Fly-In was a great success thanks to the efforts of the Valdez Fly-In Association and sponsors including the City of Valdez, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and others.

Valdez hosted some 150 aircraft and more than 2,000 visitors during the April 29 - May 1 event. Participants spent Friday evening swapping flying stories over burgers and beverages. Saturday featured friendly competitions including the Prince William Sound Poker Run, Flour Bombing and the Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) contest.

“The STOL competition was a real crowd pleaser,” said Rod Hanson, president of the Valdez Fly-In Association. “It showcased vital Bush flying skills. This year’s Bush class winners took only 99 feet to land and 78 feet to take-off. It was impressive to witness.”

Sunday’s activities thrilled spectators with skydivers jumping out of Super Cubs, aerobatics, antique and homebuilt airplane flybys, and a money drop that had children chasing 1,000 onedollar bills that were dropped from a plane.

The Fly-In is Alaska’s only major air show this year. Business leaders organized the event to help boost Valdez’s economy during a lull between summer fishing and winter sports seasons. And it worked. Every hotel room and rental car was booked and the city generated between $75,000 and $100,000 of revenue.