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MIDLIFE PILOT PODCAST COMMUNITY FLY IN

THE THADEN INVASION: MARCH 13-15, 2026 | VBT | BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS

The Thaden Invasion

March 13-15, 2026 | KVBT Thaden Field | Bentonville, Arkansas

Join the Midlife Pilot Podcast community for a weekend of fun, flying, live podcast recording, and camaraderie at "The Coolest Airport in the Country"!

Event Overview

The Midlife Pilot Podcast crew (Ben, Brian, Ted, and 1DullGeek) invite you to invade Thaden Field for a weekend of flying, friendship, and fun in beautiful Northwest Arkansas. Whether you fly in or drive in, come hang out with the community at one of the most pilot-friendly airports in the nation.

Dates: March 13-15, 2026 (Thursday arrivals welcome, Sunday departures)

Location: Louise M. Thaden Field (KVBT), Bentonville, Arkansas

Tentative Schedule

Friday, March 13

  • All Day: Arrivals at KVBT

  • Evening (7:00 PM): Group dinner & drinks at Bentonville Brewing Company (0.5 miles/10-minute walk from Thaden Field)

Saturday, March 14

  • Morning: Breakfast at LOUISE Cafe (on field at Thaden Fieldhouse) - runway views while you eat!

  • Daytime:

    • Explore FLY OZ backcountry destinations

    • Visit downtown Bentonville attractions

    • World-class mountain biking trails

    • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

    • Family/spouse activities throughout the area

  • 4:00-5:00 PM: LIVE PODCAST RECORDING at Thaden Field (location TBD - Fieldhouse or Game Composites hangar)

  • Evening (7:00 PM): Group dinner at local spot (details TBA)

Sunday, March 15

  • Morning: Breakfast at LOUISE Cafe

  • Departures throughout the day

Schedule subject to updates - check back here for the latest details!

Important Information for Pilots

Airport & Parking

  • Call the FBO directly: Contact Legends Air Center to coordinate your arrival and parking

  • Parking is first-come, first-served - we cannot guarantee spots, so please coordinate directly with the airport

  • Overflow options: If KVBT is full, consider nearby airports:

    • Rogers Municipal (KROG) - 3 miles away

    • Springdale (KASG)

    • Harrison (KHRO)

Airspace Considerations

On-Field Amenities

  • Full-service FBO (Legends Air Center)

  • LOUISE Cafe - all-day dining with runway views

  • Flight school and backcountry instruction available

  • Exhibition hangar with vintage aircraft

  • No landing fees for piston aircraft

Explore FLY OZ

Thaden Field is the hub of Arkansas's innovative FLY OZ network - a collection of backcountry strips and grass airfields throughout the Ozarks. This is your basecamp for aerial adventures! Backcountry and tailwheel instructors are available on-site if you want to explore the network safely.

Things to Do (For Pilots, Spouses & Families)

Aviation:

  • Tour the Thaden Fieldhouse exhibition hangar

  • Discovery flights and scenic flights available

  • Watch flight training operations

  • Backcountry flying instruction

Outdoor Recreation:

  • World-class mountain biking trails (Bentonville is a premier MTB destination)

  • Osage Park - boardwalks, fishing, pickleball, playground

  • Lake Bentonville - paddling and fishing

Arts & Culture:

  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (world-renowned, FREE admission)

  • Momentary contemporary art space

  • Downtown Bentonville square and shops

Dining:

Accommodations

You are responsible for booking your own lodging. Bentonville has excellent options:

  • Hotels: Multiple chains and boutique hotels in downtown Bentonville

  • Airbnb/VRBO: Great selection of homes and rentals

  • Proximity: Most accommodations are within a few miles of KVBT - rental cars or rideshares readily available

Book early for best selection!

Personal Responsibility & Expectations

This is an informal community gathering - we're just sharing where we'll be!

  • We are not organizing official parking, meals, or lodging

  • Call Legends Air Center yourself to coordinate your arrival

  • This is a "come hang out with us" event - not a formal fly-in with reserved spaces

  • Weather happens - have backup plans and make safe decisions

  • We're all adults here - personal minimums, ADM, and risk management are your responsibility

As the crew would say: "We have a podcast and don't know what we're talking about," so please consult proper sources for all flight planning, weather, and regulatory guidance!

Contact & Updates

Thaden Field / Legends Air Center:

Why Bentonville?

FLYING Magazine called Thaden Field "The Coolest Airport in the Country" - and for good reason. Named after pioneering aviator Louise M. Thaden (born in Bentonville in 1905), this revitalized GA airport combines rich aviation heritage with modern amenities, spectacular facilities, and genuine Ozark hospitality.

Come see why this is the perfect spot for midlife pilots to gather, share stories, and celebrate the joy of flying!





RSVP

Please RSVP so we can give the airport a headcount estimate. This helps them prepare for parking and operations.

Important: Your RSVP is for planning purposes only and does NOT guarantee:

  • A parking spot at KVBT

  • Event capacity limits

  • Specific accommodations

You are responsible for:

  • Contacting the FBO for parking coordination

  • Securing your own lodging

  • Your own meals and transportation

  • Any costs associated with the trip