APG Birthday Bash a Huge Success! Posted by Larry Wilson on Sunday, November 29, 2009 Detroit, MI, and Seattle WA (29 November 2009) – The American Pacific Group (APG) announced that last Sunday’s Birthday Bash fly-in event was a huge success by all measures. On November 22, American Flight Airways and Pacific Airways, who jointly celebrated thirteen and twelve years in business respectively, launched a wave of aircraft in a group flight from Detroit (AFA headquarters) to Seattle (home of Pacific). Officials describe every aspect of the massive endeavor with enthusiastic pleasure. In fact, “enthusiasm” was precisely the observation of the Detroit tower controller in response to (Phoenix Hub Director) Kenneth Deardorff’s initial contact. Detroit air traffic control was fully staffed from Clearance to Departure (manned by Detroit Hub Director Brian Beach) and Approach. The clearances were granted quickly and the planes progressed smoothly as they transited to Chicago airspace on their climbs. In a fitting gesture, APG pilots were advised to monitor 128.95, which is the company’s text channel. Sources say that some 44 APG fliers arrived in Seattle at some point during the long day, with as many as 35 showing online simultaneously. As this goes to press, the official number of those who made it inside the target arrival window is not clear, but it is well enough over 30 to easily break the previous fly-in event record of 26. An array of screenshots can be found at the APG flight photo page, and within the APG forums, but below are a few that show the string of company planes en route, and the list of callsigns as captured by one snapshot. The arrival in Seattle presented another challenge for ATC, but the Seattle team was well-staffed with top-notch talent, including a number who had been on marathon controlling duties in excess of 20 hours straight. Seattle pilots Josiah Pfeiffer, Brad Bell, and Floyd Miller were among those staffing the airspace from Seattle Center down to Ground, with those three staffing the CTR, APP, and TWR positions respectively. They smoothly organized a converging mass of planes into a string of landings. Many of the pilots were heard commending the excellent ATC service at both ends of the flights, and several openly acknowledge this in the APG forums as well. APG Events Director Jason Wadsworth agreed with this assessment and advised a public “thank you” in the news release. Meanwhile, in the air and on the ground, APG pilots enjoyed a day of banter and celebration. The commentary on the company channels was rife with humor, wisdom, and food, though some pilots voiced concern over maintaining proper temperature for the vital fluids (beverages) being ferried by some of the cargo aircraft. A grand time was had by all, or available for the having. To the pilots and the controllers who made this event so spectacular, APG says “Many thanks!” And to Pacific and AFA, we all say, “Happy Birthday!”