Several hundred out-of-towners will descend upon Prescott Oct. 4-7, when the City of Prescott, Ernest A. Love Airport and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University partner in bringing a Career Expo, Aeronautical Tech Fair, a Regional Fly-in and a Wings Out West Air Show to the community.
In addition, ERAU will formally cut the ribbon for the recently completed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Center and Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium.
“Embry Riddle is proud to welcome the greater community as we begin the 40th anniversary of the founding of ERAU in Prescott,” said Chancellor Frank Ayers.
“We’re told that lodging accommodations throughout the area are already booked by incoming visitors,” said Michelle Day, director of ERAU western region alumni relations. “Much of it is because it’s homecoming at the university. We expect at least 300 alums. We’ll have some parents and friends, too. ”
Another reason is because of a partnership with the city and the Prescott airport. “We’re going to open to the public what had previously been a closed air show,” said Day.
“That’s bringing in a lot of people. For instance, we’ve already been contacted to ask about airport space for a mini-fly-in – not a formal one like last year – from people who’ve heard about our great October events here in Prescott. We think the economic impact [will be] huge.”
Day recalled that last September, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) sponsored a formal fly-in when hundreds of planes and thousands of pilots and passengers landed at the local airport for their big fall event.
Several Days of Varied Activities
Wednesday, Oct. 4 Renowned aerobatic pilot Matt Chapman will speak at 7 p.m. at Davis Auditorium.
Thursday, Oct. 5 A career fair and industry expo where public and private businesses and industries as well as representatives from dozens of governmental agencies will be interviewing qualified persons interested in cooperative education, internships and employment. It is housed in the Activity Center and Eagle Gym.
ERAU alumni and guests begin checking in all day Oct 5 at the Alumni Office.
ERAU alums and their guests will gather at 6:30 p.m. at the Hassayampa Inn in downtown Prescott. Day says she expects some alums as young as their 20s and others as old at their 70s.
Friday, Oct 6 Alumni check-in continues. Others will participate in a golf tournament at Talking Rock Golf Ranch.
A major event will be the formal ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m., at the STEM Center. The $22 million, multi-story, 52,000-square-foot building features a domed planetarium. It is considered by some to be the most sophisticated structure of its kind in Central and Northern Arizona. Later, others will be involved in a research symposium at the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium.
That evening, outstanding alumni will be honored at a 6 p.m. Hall of Fame reception and dinner in the Student Union Building.
Saturday, Oct. 7 Hundreds of viewers, who in years past have not been able to attend the “Wings Out West” air show, are expected at the airport Saturday morning.
“We’re thrilled to work with the city in co-hosting this aerial demonstration and aeronautical tech fair,” said Jason Kadah, ERAU communications director. In addition to stunt pilots Chapman, Skip Stewart, and Bill Stein, other performers will be present.
Kadah noted a variety of food vendors and concessions would be on site at the airport.
According to Guy Roginson, founder of Fly Prescott and event director for the 2017 fly-in, local aviation enthusiasts are hoping added events this fall will become an annual airport acvivity that demonstrates that Prescott is a desirable location for pilots and their friends. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
For more information about the Fly Prescott, visit FlyPRC.com/volunteer
(Photo by Ray Newton)