Instead Will Support Youth in Aviation

December 27, 2007 — The directors of the Southwest Regional Fly-In (SWRFI), also known as the Texas Fly-In, have elected to cancel the fly-in scheduled for October 10-11, 2008.

The current insurance environment and changing interests of the aviation community are the primary reasons for discontinuing the Fly-In at this time, according to Texas Fly-In chairman and CEO Stan Shannon.

The SWRFI, debt free and in sound financial condition, will continue to support youth in aviation. Earlier this year, SWRFI, in cooperation with local EAA Chapters and members, held EAA Young Eagles, Hondo Aviation Day. The event will continue and is scheduled for March 15, 2008. In addition, the board of directors voted to create a youth scholarship fund. Scholarships will assist deserving young men and women to attend aviation related educational programs.

"As the direction of the Texas Fly-In changes, and as an exciting 46-year aviation era ends, we look back with gratitude to the late Tony Bingelis, who founded the fly-in, as well as EAA founder Paul Poberezny and the many dedicated volunteers, the sponsors and the exhibitors who made this fly-in possible," Shannon said. "The Texas Fly-In would be remiss if it did not also thank EAA headquarters and the many municipal employees, mayors and city councils that supported and labored on the fly-in’s behalf in several cities through the years."