I'm curious if anyone out there has flown (or driven) in to the AAA
fly-in near Blakesburg, IA over labor day weekend. My understanding is
that to fly-in one must be invited, but is the whole show by
invitation only? (for those of us unwashed masses who fly 172's, they
must keep the riff-raff out!).

Hey Ryan -- if you fly into Blakesburg, come see us. We're not far
from there, and usually get a few AAA members staying with us.

The fly-in is an amazing mix of people and planes that is FAR
different from OSH. The folks tend to be quite ANTI-EAA, even though
Paul Poberzny is always in attendance. Both groups started about the
same time, but AAA is completely anti-commercial. (Notice I didn't
say "non-commercial"...) As a result, it's tiny, by comparison -- but
there are planes there that you will NEVER see at OSH.

You do have to be "invited" to attend by another member. Mary and I
have been members for several years now, so you could come as our
guest, join, and be in the group forever.

I'm not sure why Orval and Bertie aren't receiving any magazines or
newsletters. They come rather irregularly, but they DO come.

I do agree that AAA has, with its anti-commercial attitude, missed the
boat in many ways. If you think EAA's membership is gray, you won't
believe AAA. Mary and I really are kids, compared to most
attendees.

It's worth attending, though. The one-of-a-kind aircraft are there,
often in droves. I think there were 300 aircraft there last year --
ALL antique/classics...

(They WILL let me park Atlas on the field, but they'll push spam cans
to the way-back. We just drive in, since it's pretty close to Iowa
City.)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"