For 30 years, the COPPERSTATE Regional EAA Fly-in has lead a nomadic existence, having been held at six locations throughout the state. The event endsthat unwelcome tradition on October 10-13, when it will be held at its permanent COPPERSTATE campus, located 25 miles south of Phoenix at the new Phoenix Regional Airport (PRA).

“During our 30 years as an aviation event, COPPERSTATE has been moved from location to location as we’ve outgrown our host airports,” said Bob Hasson, COPPERSTATE Fly-In

Chairman. “It’s critical for our continued success and future growth to have a permanent home, and PRA is the perfect location for our new COPPERSTATE campus. Because we have a great working relationship with the airport developer, we’re confident that the airport will meet our needs now and in the future. It’s a great centralized location, and there’s plenty of room for us to grow there.”

Event History: From 1971 to 2000

Called the EAA Flight Exposition, the first event that would become known as COPPERSTATE was held October of 1972 in Marana. In 1973, the fly-in was held at Ryan Field in Tucson. Renamed the Arizona State EAA Fly-in, the event was moved to Casa Grande Airport the following year. In 1975, the fly-in moved back to Marana, where it stayed through 1982 and became the COPPERSTATE EAA Fly-in in 1976. The event was held in Eloy from 1982-85. From 1986-89, the fly-in was held at Casa Grande, moving to Prescott in 1991-92 and Glendale in 1993. Williams Gateway in Mesa was the home of COPPERSTATE from 1994-2000.

About Phoenix Regional Airport

Located just 25 miles south of Phoenix between the city of Casa Grande and the town of Maricopa, Arizona, just off State Highway 283, PRA (A39) is a privately owned, public use airport. The airport currently has a 4000-foot paved runway, which will be extended to 4500 feet in time for

COPPERSTATE. A 100LL self-service fuel system was recently installed, along with additional pavement for aircraft parking.