Thunder Over the Coconino Fly-In Celebration 2010

Please join us on August 28, 2010 for our 6th annual celebration of historic aircraft and automobiles.  Last year nearly 3000 visitors enjoyed a spectacular event!  For the last five years this annual event has grown in visitation and popularity. 

The day begins with a pancake breakfast fundraiser for our local volunteer Valle-Wood Fire Department, at which time nearly 100 private general aviation aircraft arrive from various origins from the western United States. 

This year we are extremely excited to have Jessica Cox join us.  Jessica is a remarkable young woman who has overcome incredible challenges and will be making an appearance at 10:30 a.m. and will assist us in celebrating aviation and our incredible human potential to achieve our dreams. 

Rides are offered throughout the day to the general public (for a donation) in a Bell helicopter, a Ford Tri-Motor, or a North American P-51 Mustang (the P-51 is provided by the Air Museum Planes of Fame), while the local EAA Chapter 856 will be offering free rides for children as part of the Young Eagle introduction to aviation program (parent or guardian permission required).  Other spectacular aircraft will be arriving and performing throughout the day, as well as special static displays.

For you car enthusiasts, you will not be disappointed.  Over 80 incredible classic vehicles will be on display and judged.  This has been a very successful component of the event every year.

We also will have another great displays of unique and antique tractors which also brings a great group of enthusiasts!  You can read more about the the tractor club by clicking here. 

Food and merchandise vendors cater to the needs and desires of several thousand visitors providing something for everyone!  All vendors are invited to participate and can download the 2010 vendor registration packet below.

Event and Exhibit Vendor Registration Information

2010 Featured Appearance: Sport Pilot - Jessica Cox

This year we are honored to have Jessica Cox join us as our VIP guest and key-note speaker at this year's Thunder Over the Coconino.  Jessica is recognized internationally as an inspirational key-note motivational speaker.  Born without arms, Jessica now flies airplanes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands.  She holds the title of the first person without arms in the American Tae Kwon-Do Association to get a black belt and the first women pilot in aviation history to fly with her feet.  Convinced that the way we think has a greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints, she chose to pursue a degree in psychology while in college at the University of Arizona.  Jessica will join us as a featured speaker at 10:30 a.m.

Thunder Over the Coconino Photos from 2009

Photos by Bob Shane and Jonathan Crosby

"Gathering of Eagles" Dinner / Auction Fundraiser

Did you know that we are slowly running out of pilots?  It's true!  It is getting harder and harder every year to energize young people and get them excited about aviation.  And as the older generations are retiring, not enough young pilots are available to take their place in this incredibly important industry.  Each year the "Gathering of Eagles Dinner / Auction event is held in the Wings & Wheels Museum (hangar 1) on the evening of the Thunder Over the Coconino event with the single purpose of raising funds to provide aviation scholarships with the Experimental Aircraft Association aviation academy.  We are now seeking donation items for the auction as well as sponsorship or cash donations for various parts of the events.  Please contact Molly or Carolyn for more information and to donate to this very important cause.  info@valleairport.com

Youth Ages 8-17 -- You can receive a free local airplane ride and become one of over 1 Million Young Eagles!  Contact Valle Airport at (928) 635-5280 to get more information for a Young Eagle introductory flight at this year's Thunder Over the Coconino 2010.