BACFest 2013 is complete. 58 people made it to Virginia Beach – 37 members and 21 guests. Congratulations to all that attended and to all those that helped make it a great event.
23 Baby Beeches flew into Norfolk – 14 fixed gear and 9 retracts. That’s the second most number of planes on the ramp for BACFest.Food guarantees have now been placed with the hotel. As the registration fee is intended to cover food costs, all registrations are now guaranteed as well.Initial planning is well underway for this year’s BACFest. Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center will be BAC headquarters September 19 – 22. Our host organizer, Paul Werbin, has asked the hotel to block a floor just for BAC attendees and reservations are being taken now. Reserve early and be part of it all. Following are the plans already in place. BACFest 2013 Planning Summary Where: Virginia Beach, VirginiaDates: Thursday, September 19 thru Sunday, September 22Host hotel: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center 2800 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-481-9000
Events:
Wednesday morning, September 18 – Fly out to Tangier Island.Those leaving from BACFest are to meet in the hotel lobbyat 9:00am and we will shuttle over to the airport. We willaim for a 10:15 departure with arrival by 11:00. Thoseflying in from elsewhere, plan to meet us on the islandat 11:00.
Thursday afternoon, September 19 – Possible maintenance demonstration/clinic
Thursday evening, September 19 – Happy hour boat cruise/dolphin tour with food & beverage. The cruise will accommodate the first 70 people to register for BACFest (first come first served)
Friday morning, September 20 – Tour US Coast Guard baseFriday afternoon, September 20 – Fly out and lunch at First Flight (KFFA)
Friday evening, September 20 – Welcome reception
Saturday afternoon, September 21 – Luncheon and General Membership MeetingSaturday evening, September 21 – Banquet with guest speaker Francis Gary Powers, Jr., an expert speaker regarding the Cold War, U-2 Incident and preservation of Cold War History.
Sunday, September 22 – Departures or local tours on your own
Member registration fee: $85 per person. Website registration is open now by clicking on the link above. After September 1, 2013 the member registration fee increases to $115 per person.
After September 13, website registration is closed. Please register on-site in Virginia Beach.
Landmark Aviation is the host FBO at KORF for BACFest. There will be a set charge of $20 per aircraft for the entire visit. This fee covers landing, security and overnight tie down. Landmark requests that pilots bring their own tie down ropes if they have them as they may not have enough to accommodate every aircraft. Also, they will do their best to group all BAC aircraft together, but that will depend on the aircraft count.
A message from Landmark’s General Manager:I am very pleased the Beech Aero Club is coming to Norfolk in 2013. As you know, the facility is in the middle of a significant renovation project. Our team has worked very hard to ensure the quality of our service has maintained the standards of excellence expected of a nationally branded premier full service operation. By completion this Fall, we expect the operation to finally reflect the pride and professionalism we strive so hard to demonstrate. This $4 million dollar investment for our customers shows confidence in the strong relationships built over the past decades, as well as a belief in a bright future for many years to come. I would like to welcome you and the Beech Aero Club to Landmark Aviation Norfolk. We hope your time with us will be both educational and fun and we look forward to doing our very best for you during this year’s event.
Best regards, Steven E. Schell
General Manager
Landmark Aviation – ORF Norfolk International Airport