The May 3-4 show was the biggest yet, according to Alaska Airmen's Association officials, with more than 20,000 people attending, said Dee Hanson, executive director for the Alaska Airmen's Association.

The largest single gathering was on May 4, with the raffle of a Piper PA-18 Super Cub rebuilt by Dan's Aircraft.

The military displayed a modern C-17 transport aircraft and an F-22 Raptor, flown by a FedEx pilot who is also a Reservist. Photos/Rob Stapleton/AJOC

The AAA-hosted event even enticed Gov. Sarah Palin and her new son, Trig, to the floor on Saturday.

“I had never met the governor before,” Hanson said. “She is a real nice Alaskan lady.”

Palin showed up with an entourage of staffers. Her daughter, Piper, named after the legendary Piper Cub, held baby Trig while her governor-mama ceremoniously signed Senate Bill 249, legislation that approves funding for a Capstone Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) program.

Palin sponsored and introduced the bill Jan. 25. It provides Alaska airplane owners the opportunity to use a new low-interest revolving loan program to purchase Capstone-like avionics equipment for their aircraft.

The technology was tested in Alaska and was formally called the Capstone Safety Project.

ADS-B is a data link that uses ultra-high frequency radio to send and receive information about other aircraft that uses the technology. Along with multi-function screens and air traffic displays, the equipment also gives pilots graphical weather information, terrain maps and flight information, including temporary flight restrictions and notices to airmen. ADS-B is nearly 10 times more accurate than radar and operates in real time.

Former World War II Capt. Mike Hunt, in his vintage uniform, explains the North American AT-6 to a pilot who attended the weekend event. Photos/Rob Stapleton/AJOC

The highlight of the static displays were competing UPS and FedEx planes parked on the ramp near each other, open for inspection. The FedEx plane was named Alyssa. A Hageland Air pilot by the same name just happened by to take a look at her namesake.

“Wow, this really cool. I wanna go check out the cockpit,” said Alyssa Hickerson. “I wonder if they will let me fly it?”

The hit of the show among pilots was the exit of the F-22 Raptor, which shortly after leaving the ground, stood itself on its tail on take off. The craft did a screaming climb at full throttle before it reached the FedEx and UPS ramps at the end of the North South runway.

Featuring hundreds of vendors and specialists from the aviation industry showing their wares, this year's show had an abundance of Super Cub aircraft tricked out with modifications for slow flight.

With the Valdez May Day Fly-In scheduled for the following weekend, many attendees speculated these aircraft would compete in the short field take off and landing contests.

On the downside, there were last-minute cancellations from two prominent scheduled speakers: Federal Aviation Administration acting administrator Bobby Sturgell and the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association's Phil Boyer. Boyer and Sturgell stayed on the East Coast to address the passing of the FAA's reauthorization bill, which was to be heard in Congress May 6.

Government Affairs specialist Andy Cebula gave the AOPA Town Meeting address, and FAA Alaska regional administrator Mike Cirillo stood in for Sturgell.

Overall, the show was deemed a success, opening Saturday to a large crowd, with nearly 5,000 showing up before noon.

“This is just fabulous,” said Joe Pearson, president of the Alaska Airmen's Association. “It just gets better every year.”