A ROUSING SUCCESS 2023 FLY-IN FEATURED HIGH-OCTANE EXCITEMENT In February 2023, more than 500 aircraft and more than 30,000 aviation enthusiasts descended on the Buckeye Municipal Airport in Arizona for AOPA's first fly-in of 2023, a weekend of high-octane entertainment. The successful partnership between AOPA and the Buckeye Air Fair was seen from the ground up as attendees explored a ramp brimming with unique and eye-catching aircraft, local vendors, aviation industry leaders, and a spectacular airshow. The Buckeye Air Fair began as a small airport open house in the early 2000s and has since become one of the largest aviation events in the western United States. " We knew there was a need to share with the public what general aviation is all about, " said Buckeye Mayor and private pilot Eric Orsborn (shown right with AOPA President Mark Baker). Orsborn, an AOPA member and aircraft owner, expressed gratitude and excitement about the collaboration between the Buckeye Air Fair and AOPA. " The partnership with AOPA accomplished exactly what we had hoped this year. Creating an environment where the general public who has some interest in aviation could interact with aviators and a trusted organization in AOPA that will help them become aviators themselves. " R-2 AOPA PILOT