[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 75 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE 2015 AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION FLY-IN IN SALINAS, 
                               CALIFORNIA

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2015

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, the Salinas Airport is a remarkable place. 
Earlier this week, my good friend at the Salinas Californian, Jeff 
Mitchell, captured the spirit of the airport best when he wrote on 
Thursday, May 14:

       The Salinas airport--to the untrained eye--is a funny 
     place. Most of the time it doesn't look like much is 
     happening there. But take a closer look and you'll find some 
     interesting things going on there . . .
       The facility is the home airport for many of the corporate 
     jets flown by our elite ag companies. It's also the home for 
     a company--Cal Pacific Airmotive--that has gained a national 
     reputation for the perfect restoration of the greatest World 
     War II-era fighter ever made, the venerable P-51 Mustang. 
     Finally, the Salinas airport is home to none other than Sean 
     D. Tucker, a National Aerobatics Champion and U.S. Aviation 
     Hall of Fame member.

   Now through the hard work of the Salinas Valley aviation community 
and the airport staff, the national Aircraft Owners and Pilots 
Association (AOPA) has picked the Salinas Airport as one of the sites 
for its 2015 national fly in. Residents in my Congressional District 
will have the opportunity to participate in educational forums and hear 
from national aviation speakers, view top of the line manufacturers, 
and see aerobatic performances. With our own hometown aerobatic star, 
Sean Tucker, I know the crowds will have a wonderful family experience.
   Americans have always been fascinated with flight, which propelled 
the Wright Brothers to aviation history by inventing the first three-
axis control that enabled pilots, for the first time, to steer their 
aircraft and maintain equilibrium. As we enter our second hundred years 
of aviation advancement, space flight will become the norm and the 
United States will conquer new horizons.
   Mr. Speaker, I know that I speak for the House of Representatives in 
congratulating the Salinas Airport and Brett Godown, the Salinas 
Municipal Airport Manager, for hosting APOA the 2015.

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