FORT LAUDERDALE – Twenty-seven Cirrus aircraft – the largest number of airplanes ever to be received as a group at The White Crown airstrip – touched down in North Eleuthera for their annual Bahamas Fly In.

The planes brought 60 persons, including the pilots, their spouses and guests.

The group was hosted for a weekend of fun and relaxation at the Valentines and Coral Sands hotels, Harbour Island.

As in the past, the trip served as an introduction to flying to the Bahamas for a large percentage of the group, many of whom had never flown over the ocean before.

The goal of the organisers was to make this virgin experience as smooth as possible, as well as create an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie between the pilots, who are all owners and operators of Cirrus aircraft.

An annual highlight of the Cirrus Fly In is the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation's welcome reception.

This year, the event featured an Androsia fashion show in which some of the pilots participated.

The group was also escorted on a fun-filled shopping spree to ensure they were exposed to the wide variety of gift and souvenir items to be found on the island.

Pilots participating in the Fly In arrived from cities throughout the US – some as far away west as California.

They enjoyed snorkeling, boating and exploring. While on the island, the group was hosted by the Tourist Office’s Harbour Island manager Betty Bethel and aviation manager Leonard Stuart.