AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2021 - 37

EVENTS |
Make it to Manassas
AOPA Aviator Showcase set for HEF on August 27
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER
AIRPORT DIRECTOR Juan E. Rivera has served the
Manassas Regional Airport/Harry P. David Field
(HEF) for nearly 20 years. It's a role he has embraced
and an airport he is exceptionally proud of. A private
pilot since college, he rarely gets a chance to fly over
the bucolic landscape of north-central Virginia, but he
is understandably proud of the opportunity he provides
other pilots.
" We have a great safety record here at Manassas
Regional Airport, " he said. " I am proud that this is a safe
place to land and I enjoy meeting and talking to pilots.
I have two kids and that's where my disposable income
goes, but I hope to get back in the air again soon. "
Manassas Regional Airport, established in 1964,
now has two runways-6,200 feet by 100 feet and 3,700
feet by 75 feet-400 based aircraft, five flight schools,
and 26 based businesses. It is the busiest general aviation
airport in the commonwealth of Virginia. The
airport will be hosting the AOPA Aviator Showcase
August 27 with AOPA and the Chantilly Jet Center.
" I encourage pilots to come to the showcase and to
Manassas Regional Airport, " Rivera said. " There will
be lots of opportunities to talk to people in the industry
and find out what's going on in aviation. Manassas
city is a great place; our downtown is flourishing, and
we have unique shops, great restaurants, and a lot of
things to do. "
Much smaller and more intimate than other
AOPA events, the one-day consumer-focused event
will connect pilots and aircraft owners with aviation
businesses ranging from aircraft and avionics manufacturers
to product stores and service shops, financiers,
and insurers. The showcase features an exhibit hall,
aircraft display, and educational seminars-the three
most popular offerings at AOPA events.
More than 50 exhibitors have already committed
to the August 27 event. " Aviation manufacturers, service
shops, and suppliers are as excited as we are about
the AOPA Aviator Showcases bringing the aviation
community together, " said Chris Eads, AOPA senior
director of outreach and events.
aopa.org/aviatorshowcase
EMAIL julie.walker@aopa.org
2021 Aviator Showcases
August 27
October 1
The Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) is situated within
the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA).
For VFR operations into Manassas (and anywhere within
60 nautical miles of the DCA VOR), the FAA requires that
pilots complete a brief online training course on operating
within the SFRA. After completing this training, operations
into the SFRA should not be intimidating to most
pilots. VFR operations require filing a special SFRA flight
plan, contacting Potomac Approach Control (or Clearance
Delivery prior to departure from HEF) to receive a
discrete transponder code, and following ATC instructions
to and from the airport. For IFR operations, the course is
not required.
faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/courseLanding.aspx?cID=405
Manassas Regional Airport/
Harry P. David Field (HEF)
Manassas, Virginia
Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW)
Fort Worth, Texas
aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 37
http://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/courseLanding.aspx?cID=405 http://www.aopa.org/aviatorshowcase http://www.aopa.org/pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2021
