The 2019 Meyers Aircraft Owners Association Fly-In has been set for October 9-13, 2019 in Destin/Emerald Coast area of Florida hosted by Richard “Dick” Russell, CMS, USAF (retired). Our Meyers base operation will take place at the Yellowriver private airport: FD93 in Holt, FL. This location is a private grass strip field with no lights for night landings. FD93 is located within R-2915 and has an LOA with Eglin AFB. Please advise your intentions to land at FD93 and Dick Russell will provide the arrival and departure procedures. The alternate field for those aircraft that choose to not land on grass will be KCEW in Crestview, FL. EAA Chapter 108 and the Black Ducks flying club will assist with transportation and other miscellaneous operations. We will need to know the “N” number and pilot’s name of those planning to land at CEW in order to arrange for appropriate pick up, handling and transportation to the host hotel. For those folks who would like to fly commercial, the nearest airport would be Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (KVPS). Another choice would be Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport (KPNS) which is about an hour and a quarter away from the fly-in base.
Our chosen host hotel is the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott located at 110 Crosson Street in Crestview, Florida. The phone number for reservations is (850) 689-0074; please request the Meyers Aircraft Owners group rate which is $109/per night for a queen double room and also includes a hot breakfast. This is a newly opened hotel is conveniently located to both airfields (about 8 miles from KCEW) and has numerous restaurants and shopping within a half mile walking distance.
Captain “Chuck” Downey @ Flabob around 2008
The highlight of this fly-in will be the presentation of the Wright Brothers 50-year flying safety award posthumously to Captain Charles “Chuck” Downey on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. Affectionately know by the Meyers community as “The Captain”, Chuck Downey was a Navy Veteran and the youngest fighter pilot of WWII and completed his Naval flight training in Pensacola. The Captain flew a Meyers OTW and was always willing to share his expertise and stories about flying in the OTW with our members and friends. More information about the Naval Aviation Museum can be found at www.navalaviationmuseum.org. Transportation to and from the host hotel will be provided by retired military drivers to ease base access.
Other activities that are on the schedule for the fly-in are: a Friday tour of the Air Force armament museum at Eglin Air Force Base and possibly a Hurlburt Special Ops museum tour for the afternoon. Saturday’s activities will include the maintenance seminars for the OTWs and 200s at McCutchan Field –which is a grass strip 7 miles northwest of FD93. Our annual banquet and auction will follow that evening.
The Destin and Emerald Coast area offer many tourist attractions along with some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world! October is a beautiful time along the Florida coast with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. For more information about the area please see the following websites: www.emeraldcoastfl.com and www.floridabeachactivities.com. One optional activity in the works is a group cruise on a Pirate Ship in Destin. If you have any questions or requests about Fly-In, please message Karen Wade, MAOA Secretary on this website or Dick Russell. More details about this event will follow on the website and will be emailed to all registered members.
We look forward to seeing you in Florida!
