If you haven't yet registered for the 2017 AAA/APM Fly-In, BTB Days, online registration is now open. You can use Paypal and your credit card to register, or if you prefer you can print and return the paper form.
The AAA/APM fly-in has begun! The field has a few damp places from rain Tuesday, but it was was drying out rapidly Wednesday afternoon. Antique Airfield drains well and it will be good condition on Thursday, with a freshly rolled and mowed runway.
Aircraft arrivals are coming in with Wacos, Howards, Cubs, Champs, Stearmans and Luscombes. Three fellows flew out together from Cable Airport in red, white and blue Porterfields.
The weather forecast looks great for the rest of the weekend, sunny with highs in the low 80's. Come out and join us!
The AAA/APM fly-in starts Wednesday! Pre-registration is now closed, but you can still register on the spot at the airfield once the fly-in starts.
Last minute preparations are underway at Antique Airfield. The annual mowing party took place this past weekend to prepare the field. Rain showers and thunderstorms over the past few days hit Ottumwa but missed Blakesburg, so the field is in good condition for the fly-in.
Congratulations to owner and restorer Brian Meuser, and test pilot Jimmy Rollison (both AAA lifetime members) on the successful test flight of Brian's 1931 CW Travel Air 12W after an 8 year restoration. The 12W had not flown since 1949. Flight took place with no problems.
Though the day started out less than ideal weather wise, we still had a good bunch of volunteers turn out last Saturday to help with more Fly-in preparations.
The main museum annex and hangar, along with the 24th Fighter Sqd Mess Hall and the Ground Loop Inn were the center of cleaning efforts and much was accomplished.
Powell Hall in the main museum annex now has all the displays moved back in and arranged due to the efforts of RLT. He was helped out greatly by Dan Quinn and Mark Flounders,
Mark & Lu Quinn also spent a great deal of time cleaning the displays in the rest of the annex.
Meanwhile the main museum hangar came in for a major cleaning due to the mess left from the installation of the new roof. Some displays were rearranged, all but four aircraft were given a bath (those four will get cleaned when the hangar is cleaned out for the vendors next week) and most of the floor was power wash/cleaned. Dakota Quinn, Jeff Claypool, Rick Gritters, Steve Black, Mark Robotti and Brent Taylor handled that project.
Over in the 24th Fighter Sqd Mess Hall, Aaron Klugherz & Ben Taylor were busy stripping the floor and prepping it for a new paint job.
Les "Sparky" Gaskill was seen attending to several electrical projects while Melody Esch & Jessica Fryer cleaned and set up the Ground Loop Inn in AAA HQ. They also helped Marcy Taylor with food preparations during the day and evening.
This weekend is the annual "Mowing Party" to prepare Antique Airfield for the Fly-in.
Haven't pre-registered for the 2016 AAA/APM Fly-in, Back to Blakesburg and Back to Basics? Its not too late, registration is open until Monday. You can register online or use the paper form. Note that you must be an AAA member, but you can join on the spot or join in advance with your registration.
Here are the latest registrations for which we have photos. If you register, send us a photo to post!
1948 Piper PA-15 N4567H
Mark Flounders
Bloomfield, IA
(Dave Miller photo)
1943 Howard DGA-15P NC68431
Ron Wagner
Tonka Bay, MN
(G.R. Dennis Price photo)
1940 Culver LCA Cadet N281W
Jim Rezich
Winnebago, IL
(G.R. Dennis Price photo)
1941 Meyers OTW NC26487
Shane Vande Voort
Pella, IA
(Dave Miller photo)
1946 Fairchild F24R N81210
Gary MacFarquhar
Evergreen, CO
(Dave Miller photo)
1946 Piper J-3 NC3463K
Barnes Fixed Wing LLC
Pella, IA
(Dave Miller photo)
1949 Stinson 108-3 N6939M
Mark Singletary
Colleyville, TX
1946 Beech D18S N127ML
Justin Niemyjski
Racine, WI
(Dave Miller photo)
1946 Ercoupe 415C N93318
Marc Broer
Des Moines, IA
(Charles E. "Chuck" Stewart photo)
Antique Airfield near Blakesburg, IA is the home of the Antique Airplane Association (AAA) and the Air Power Museum (APM).
This oasis for those who love, restore, own and fly vintage aircraft would not be possible without the dedication of a loyal cadre of volunteers who give of their time & talents.
This video is dedicated to them, with the most humble "Thanks" of the staff and directors of the AAA & APM.
You're invited to help with ongoing volunteer work weekends. This coming weekend is the annual “Mowing Party” on Aug 27th, to get Antique Airfield looking it’s best for the Fly-in.
Can't make it before the Fly-in? There are plenty of opportunities to help out during the Fly-in itself.
So come join with us and become part of the crew.
