Tom Poberezny, Thomas Grunewald, Sign Agreement At AirVenture 2009

Two of the worlds largest General Aviation Air Shows have agreed to a new three-year collaboration to promote the cause of GA on both sides of the Atlantic. EAA President Tom Poberezny and AERO Friedrichshafen Project Manager Thomas Grunewald signed the agreement on a rainy Thursday morning at AirVenture 2009.

Tom Poberezny, Thomas Grunewald

Poberezny said he hopes the three-year accord covering 2010-2012 will be one of many such of agreements. "This will enhance the opportunities for AERO at Oshkosh, and for Oshkosh at AERO", he said following the formal signing.

"The spirit of Oshkosh penetrates the entire aviation industry," Grunewald said. "As long as people are enthusiastic about flying, we can be optimistic about general aviation."

Like AirVenture, AERO is strategically important to general aviation worldwide, as demonstrated by the results of this year's AERO show. The number of exhibitors was up 12 percent, and the event drew 46,400 visitors from 30 countries, a three percent increase. AERO organizers say they expect continued growth for the 2010 show. "Already about 100 exhibitors have registered," Grunewald said in a statement released to the media. "This is evidence that the industry is anticipating the first signs of economic recovery in the coming year, and that AERO in Friedrichshafen enjoys the industry's enormous confidence as an effective marketing instrument."

The next AERO at Friedrichshafen is planned for April 8th to the 11th, 2010.

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.aero-expo.com