Pilot Oasis – Chapter 179 has created a special place for pilots attending LOEFI — the Pilot Oasis. All pilots are invited to visit the Oasis where breakfast – breakfast burritos – and snacks throughout the day will be offered.The Wings Seminars will also be presented in the adjoining hangar. The Oasis is for pilots only, whether you came with an airplane or not.   Register at the Pilot Welcome Tent to get your “pass” into the Oasis.

Pilot Door Prizes – Also at the Oasis … a Drawing for Door Prizes. The Chapter has received donations from many generous businesses and individuals to offer as prizes specially for pilots. Each pilot who registers at the Pilot Welcome Tent will receive a ticket for the Door Prize Drawings. Two drawings will be held, one for pilots who brought an airplane, the other for “walk-in” pilots. The Drawings will be held in the Pilot Oasis at 1200 hours. Here is a list of the donors and the prizes:

Aircraft Spruce —  2 – $75.00 gift cards
AvFuel —  2 – $100.00 gift certificates for fuel through Bode Aviation
Bladesox —  2- or 3- blade Prop cover set
David Clark —  H-10 13.4 headset
EAA Chapter 179 —  4 – new Chapter 179 logo t-shirts
Garmin —  Baseball hats and koozies
Havana House Cigar Shop —  “Gauge” style humidor & accessory gifts
Isleta Resort and Casino —  $150.00 gift certificate for a one night stay, dining, or golf
Sporty’s —  I-Pad flight bag
Van’s Aircraft —  Baseball cap

Many others have also donated to make the Pilot Oasis a most comfortable place for pilots to relax, meet other pilots and share stories, and get refreshed. Go here for a complete list of donors for the Pilot Oasis.

Check the Ramp Layout for directions from public display area and the Exhibit Hall to the Pilot Oasis.

What is a Fly-In?  Similar to a car show, aircraft fly in to be judged, while spectators get to see a gathering of amateur built, antique, military, and other unique aircraft — and meet their pilots, builders, and restorers!  Expected highlights include the Chile Flight (formation flying team), helicopters, gliders, ultralights, and static displays of remote-controlled aircraft.

What is there to do?

• Come early to see arriving aircraft and catch the 8AM Opening Ceremony!
• Stroll the ramp, amongst aircraft & pilots
• Enjoy live bands, breakfast and lunch – food trucks on site all day!
• Browse the Exhibit Hall of aviation organizations; Learn about aviation education, careers, technology, and nonprofits
• Try riveting at the Builders’ Corner!  3D Printing!  Build a wing rib! Talk to aircraft builders!
• Engage in aviation activities for all ages! Kid’s Corner, Youth Aviators Center
• Teens/Adults: Try your hand at flying – on a flight simulator
• Enter a RAFFLE to WIN a Custom Pedal Plane or Two Southwest Airlines Domestic Tickets!
• PILOTS!  Attend a SEMINAR about flying New Mexico; earn FAA WINGS credit!
• Shop EAA 179′s Fly Mart; buy used aviation treasures
• Girls in Aviation Day – sponsored by Exhibitor, WAI-LOE  (Pre-registration required)

Click here for a Video Reel Preview of LOEFI 2026

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What to bring?  A refillable drinking water container, sun protection, comfortable shoes, and your camera!

FREE Admission and Parking, donations accepted. Any proceeds go towards activities supporting EAA Chapter 179’s mission including aviation scholarships, Double Eagle Aviation Academy (teen STEM program), Young Eagles events, and youth outreach activities.  Questions? Contact us at loefi@eaa179.org

DRIVE IN DIRECTIONS to Double Eagle II Airport:

• • From Albuquerque (from the Big I): Take I-40 west to Atrisco Vista Blvd, turn north to the Double Eagle II airport, follow the signs to parking. (Google Map)
  • From Rio Rancho (from Paseo Del Norte and I-25): Take Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE westbound. It turns south becoming Atrisco Vista Blvd, to the Double Eagle II airport, follow the signs to parking. (Google Map)

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Community Engagement

In addition to the members of EAA Chapter 179, many others contribute to making this a successful event each year.  View the list of 2026 Sponsors and Exhibitors.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER? 

Sign Up Online HERE Check back for updates, or tell us of your interest by sending eMail to loefi@eaa179.org   Other than support from airport or FBO personnel and sponsors, this event is run completely by volunteers.

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EAA Chapter 179 is preparing to provide extra special treatment for pilots and those bringing aircraft. Join our community of pilots and members of EAA 179 and other New Mexico chapters for a day of checking out other pilots’ airplanes, browsing the exhibit hall, attending seminars, and sharing your passion for flying and aviation with other pilots and the public.

• • • • • Aircraft Parking: Separate non-public parking area for fly-in aircraft (those that are not in the central Show Plane area).
        • Pilot Oasis: Free breakfast, coffee, and donuts, snacks through the day, and the drawing for Pilot Door Prizes. And a place to gather away from the crowd, to refresh and enjoy hangar flying. For more information go to  LOEFI 2026 – Pilot Oasis.
        • Special Door Prizes: Register at the Pilot Welcome booth. Drawings in the Pilot Oasis at 1200. Go here for a list of Pilot Door Prizes, and here for Pilot Door Prize Donors
      • • Seminar:  Flying the Gila: Backcountry Operations in NM (0830-0930, WINGS) at the Pilot Oasis. See the schedule below.
        • Hosted Camping:  Camping for fly-in pilots will be available Friday and Saturday nights, located on the north ramp and in an adjacent grass area on the airfield.  See below for details.  Friday night cookout by EAA 179 for campers – please RSVP to loefi@eaa179.org.
      • • Aircraft Awards: Best Plans Built; Best Kit Built, Contemporary (1960 – present); Classic (prior to 1960); LSA/Trike/Gyrocopter; Warbird; Most Distant Fly-in, People’s Choice; LOEFI Grand Champion (Judges’ choice).  Awards presented between 1245-1300.   See 2025 Aircrafft Award Winners

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  Pilots – FLYING IN

  • • Check Airport Data: Airnav or SkyVector
    • Inbound: Listen to ATIS on 119.025. Tune to Tower on 120.15
      • On first call, give distance and direction from airport and current ATIS. Tower controllers have radar.
      • If arriving just for the Fly-In, after landing tell Double Eagle Ground (121.625) that you are “going to the Fly In”.  Expect to taxi to the north ramp for tie-down parking. Bring ropes/chocks. See the airport diagram (.PDF) and event ramp map.
    • Parking, fuel, and Fly-in Registration:
      • Camping arrivals – parking is available in the grass area (own risk) along the hangar taxi lanes, just west of North Ramp (see Ramp Map) or in the North Ramp tie down area. No tie downs available off the asphalt.
      • Parking in front of Bode FBO is reserved for transient aircraft.
      • Bode FBO will provide fuel off truck at self serve price. Fuel islands are closed.
      • Tie downs are limited; please bring chocks and ropes. 
    • Outbound:  Contact Ground from ramp AND before proceeding FROM runup areas TO the runway unless otherwise instructed. Accessing runway 17/35 from the ramp requires crossing runway 22/04.  If you have questions, contact the Tower.
    • Would you like to park your aircraft in the Showcase? Click here for info.

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  Pilots – STAYING A NIGHT, Friday and/or Saturday?

  • • If you are staying over in Albuquerque, let us know in advance if we can help at loefi@eaa179.org.
    • Ground Transport:  Rental cars (Enterprise or Hertz) ARE available with prior arrangement via Bode Aviation FBO  (3 day advance requested).  UBER and LYFT available (Typically $30 to Old Town area, i.e., Rio Grande Best Western)
  • On-field Hosted Camping for Pilots and Crew – Airplane camping is available on the field (KAEG) Friday & Saturday nights
    • If you plan to camp or have questions, please RSVP via eMail: loefi@eaa179.org.
    • Upon arrival, tell Ground Control that you are here for LOEFI camping, taxi to north ramp and proceed to the camping area. Parking is available in the grass (own risk) along the hangar taxi lanes, just west of North Ramp. See event ramp map.
    • Bring your tent and aircraft tie-down stakes and ropes!  Camp in the grass area adjacent to the north ramp or on the north ramp itself. This year shower facilities are available.
    • Friday – pizza lunch and evening cookout, hosted by EAA Chapter 179. Grills available Saturday night or Ground Transportation arranged through the FBO or on request.
    • Food trucks open for the Fly-In, 0700-1400
    • Bode’s Bombing Range Café on the field open 0800 – 1400 Fri & Sunday

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    Pilots – ACTIVITIES AT THE FLY-IN!

    • • Two general areas are set up for aircraft parking – a Showcase area for featured aircraft in front of the hangar, and the north ramp for Visiting Aircraft.  See event ramp map. Note: This year for concern for the safety of your aircraft, the fly-in tie-down area will not be open for public viewing.
      • Please stop by the Pilot Registration for a gift bag, to register for door prizes, and if you wish to have your aircraft included in the judging.
      • Here is the schedule of activities of special interest for pilots (and crew members). Note in particular the WINGS Seminar. Check here for the complete Schedule of Activities and Sponsors and Exhibitors.
        • 0830 – 0930 • WINGS Seminar: Flying the Gila: Backcountry Operations       in NM   – John Lorenz, NM Pilots Association, in the Pilot Oasis
        • 1130 • Aircraft Judging closes, People’s Choice ballots due
        • 1200 • Drawings for LOEFI PIlot Door Prizes (Pilot Oasis)
        • 1245 – 1300 • Aircraft Awards Presentation, Main Stage
        • 1400  •  Raffle Prize Drawings   at the stage
                        Custom F-18 Blue Angels Pedal Plane built by EAA 179 volunteers!
                        2 Domestic Southwest Airlines tickets!
      • Food trucks for Saturday breakfast and lunch, 0700 – 1400
      • Aircraft Judging & Awards: Continuing our tradition, we present awards with winners determined by our panel of judges or voted on by the visiting public.  Categories:
        •  For Judging: Best Plans Built, Best Kit Built, Best Contemporary (1960 to present), Best Classic (prior to 1960), Best LSA/Trike, Best Warbird
        • Public Vote: People’s Choice (closes at 1130)
        • Special:  Most Distant Fly-In
        • Grand Champion (Judges’ choice)
      • Aircraft Judging concludes at 1130, Award presentations 1245-1300

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Awards were given for aircraft in 6 categories plus Most Distant Flyin and Grand Champion. Pilots opted to have their aircraft included in the judging when they registered. An award was also given for the People’s Choice, based on ballots cast by visitors to LOEFI 2025.

• A team of Chapter members then appraised each aircraft, considering appearance and other subjective considerations. Judging took place between 0830 and 1130.
• Attendees were given the opportunity to cast a ballot for the “People’s Choice” award.
• Based on information provided by the pilots when they registered, the award for “Most Distant Flyin” was given to the pilot from most distant home airport in ‘air miles’.
• Trophies were presented on stage to the award winners at 1330. (Trophies will be mailed to any not present.)

Congratulations 2025 Award Winners

LOEFI 2025 Award Winners

Again this year, thanks go out to all the pilots who joined in the aircraft judging. And to the Members who volunteered to be judges for this traditional activity of LOEFI for many years.