2026 Fly-In Preview
The 2026 season, and a word from the committee.
From the Fly-In Committee
Bill Marvel, Fly-in committee chairman
Welcome, everyone to the 2026 slate of CPA Fly-in events, which were revealed at the January 10 planning meeting at Rocky Mountain Metro airport. This is a preliminary look at the Fly-ins for this year. Details are being worked out by the various hosts now.
For CPA Members, finalized information for each event along with registration forms will appear in Flight Lines issues. Every event will appear twice—once three months prior as a reminder and again two months prior with registration information. Interested members should contact the event hosts immediately to be placed on priority lists, as many trips are well attended, and some have attendance limits.
For non-CPA members, annual membership costs $30 and includes access to these events. This year’s trips include destinations in Colorado, Tennessee, Kansas, Arizona and Nebraska.
The Nucla, Colorado trip is being sponsored by a Nucla resident who is not a CPA member or pilot. Registration forms will include space for members without airplanes to request seats and those with airplanes to list available seats.
Registration forms will include space for members without airplanes to request seats and those with aircraft to list available seating.
— Bill Marvel, Fly-In Committee Chairman
April 25: Akron, CO (KAKO)
Tour Redline Propeller at the Akron airport to learn about propeller blade repair and constant speed propellers and governors. Lunch provided. The runway is 7,000 feet long with elevation of 4,700 feet. Host: Frank Niehus — contact the fly-in host
May 2–3: Abilene, KS (K78)
Visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library, childhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower. Stay at Holiday Inn Express. Activities include happy hour, dinner, and a potential visit to the regional Russell Stover Candy Company & store. Host: Bob Kinney — contact the fly-in host
May 20–23: Memphis, TN (M01)
Welcome to the town known for Elvis and BBQ! Activities include Gus's World-Famous Fried Chicken, Peabody Hotel (to see mallard ducks), National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, self-guided tours of other museums (Blues Hall of Fame, Sun Studios), and Graceland with self-guided tours including at least two of Elvis' private jets. Multiple BBQ restaurants and BB Kings venue. Hosts: Bret Heidcamp and Loree Schwartz — contact the fly-in host
June 17–19: Grand Canyon, AZ (KGCN)
First CPA trip to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world, a mile deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas. Flying distance: 409 nm southwest of KAPA, elevation 6,609 feet with 9,000-foot runway. Visit Historic District and Desert View Drive. Red Feather Lodge: $185/night. Host: Jan McKenzie — contact the fly-in host
July 9–12: Lincoln, NE (KLNK)
First CPA trip to Lincoln! Three-night adventure includes Duncan Aviation, the world's largest private business jet service provider, Strategic Air Command (SAC) museum, and Museum of American Speed. Nebraska's largest candy store visit with free Kool-Aid. Group dinner at Show Stoppers featuring entertainment. SAC Museum includes a B-36 ten-engine bomber, one of only four still in existence. Museum of American Speed displays over 600 engines and 300 vehicles ranging from toy cars to go-karts to Indy racers, concept cars, jet cars and even motorcycles. Duncan offers corporate rates. Host: Bill Marvel — contact the fly-in host
August 21–23: Sedona, AZ (KSEZ)
America's Most Scenic Airport, perched on Tabletop Mesa 500 feet above the City of Sedona. Landing there is surely on every pilot's bucket list. Private trolley tour through Red Rock canyons to Chapel of The Holy Cross. Verde Canyon Railroad tour in private rail car with charcuterie board and sipping champagne while viewing ancient Sinagua dwellings, Indian ruins and historic mining sites. Downtown exploration and group dinner at Airport Mesa Grill. Hosts: Bret Heidcamp and Loree Schwartz — contact the fly-in host
September 25–26: La Junta, CO (KLHX)
CPA's first Wildlife Safari and visit to La Junta's Tarantula Fest! Featured in National Geographic and national TV, this weekend features tarantula migration across Colorado's southeastern grasslands. Safari bus tours with stops for close viewing, expert biologist sessions, Tarantula Parade, spider-themed Classic Car Show, Arachnophobia movie screening, Arts Fair, Hairy Leg Contest, and Eight Legged Races. Hampton Inn special CPA rate: $129 + tax per night with free breakfast. Host: Brett Pomainville — contact the fly-in host
October 2–4: Nucla, CO (KAIB)
Come visit us to enjoy the charm of small-town Colorado and our scenic canyon and mountain surroundings. Flight over nearby Telluride, stay in beautiful B&B with group dinner on outdoor patio. Mesa-top airport with 360-degree views and one of the nicest terminals of any small airport. Learn about the 1776 Domínguez–Escalante Expedition led by two Franciscan priests from Santa Fe covering nearly 2,000 miles in about 5 months. The route later became the Old Spanish Trail. Host: Aimee Tooker — contact the fly-in host
Not Yet Scheduled: Grand Junction, CO (KGJT)
Tour Spirit Engineering factory manufacturing the SE-1 single seat S-LSA aircraft. Totally clean sheet design, including the engine and folding wings, this all-aluminum aircraft cruises at 100 mph at two gallons an hour with a service ceiling of 17,500 feet on only 42 horsepower. Price: $69,500 with ASTM certification. Factory owner Steve Wood will conduct facility tours. Host: Bill Marvel — contact the fly-in host
