OctoberWest, the name given to the 40th Anniversary Homecoming and Wings Out West Airshow by officials at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), is expected to attract record crowds.
Scheduled from Oct 4-6, the celebration is bringing alumni, guest speakers, board members, parents and friends from throughout the country to Prescott, said Jason Kadah, ERAU media relations.
“From its humble beginnings 40 years ago to its current position as a premier university recognized worldwide for its exceptional aerospace, aviation, cybersecurity and intelligence programs and leadership in business education, ERAU is proud to be a part of the Prescott community,” Kadah said.
ERAU Alumni Activities Begin Oct. 4
Special anniversary events are planned throughout the weekend for ERAU alumni. Some of these include:
- Oct. 4:9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Industry and Career Expo, Activity Center and Eagle Gym;6:30-9 p.m., Eagle Night Reception-mixer, Hassayampa Inn Marina Room;
- Oct 5:8 a.m.-2 p.m.Alumni Golf Tournament, Talking Rock Ranch;
4-8 p.m.Friday Fair and Flyover, Lower Recreation Field on campus; 5-8 p.m. Chancellor’s Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner, Eagle Gym;
8:15 p.m.Fireworks—Lower Recreation Fields;
- Oct 6:8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wings Out West Air Show, Fly in and Static Display
In addition to all the alumni events, the ERAU Board of Visitors will be meeting, said Chancellor Frank Ayers. Two of those board members, David Robertson and Tonia Fortner, will be initiated as honorary alumni members into the Chancellor’s Alumni Hall of Fame.
Ayers also will present rings to the National Champion Gold Eagle Flight team, which won the national championship for the 12th time this past year.
Airshow Open to Public
The Wings Out West Airshow scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Prescott Regional Airport is in collaboration with the City of Prescott. It will feature a tech fair, regional fly-in and several hours of aerobatic and formation flights. Food vendors will be on site.
Nationally recognized aerobatic pilots will “thrill the crowd,” event planners said. Pilots will include Matt Chapman, winner of the International Aerobatic Club Championship; Bill Stein, who has flown in airshows around North America; Rob Stein, who has pioneered aerial maneuvers; Cindy Irish, a skydiver with the Mistry Blues ladies team; and “The Immortal Red Baron,” a theatrical airshow performance about the most famous fighter pilot in history.
The airshow is open to the public. However, parking will be limited. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
For more information about ERAU Alumni Events and the Airshow, visit https://prescott.erau.edu/octoberwest/schedule.
(Courtesy image).
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