A Big Show For The Largest State In The Union

Aircraft from all over Alaska, and the Lower 48 are headed to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for the 2010 Alaska Airmen's Association Trade Show and Convention that opens on May 1. "We have some absolutely beautiful aircraft coming to the show this year," said Dee Hanson (pictured, below), executive director of the Alaska Airmen's Association. "We have four different Cessna aircraft coming up from the Lower-48 to participate and some new aircraft like the carbon fiber Gweduck and a new Ultralight helicopter, as well as different types of Super Cubs and Husky aircraft."

Considered the largest aviation event in the state, this is the 13th consecutive year that the Alaska Airmen's Association has held the Trade Show and Convention. "The Trade Show and Convention is THE attraction of the year for pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation educators who are all seeking knowledge about not only what is new, but about safety from the seminar speakers," said Adam White, president of the association.

Military aircraft including the F-22 Raptor will also be on display from U.S. Air Force, other aircraft used in Alaska from the, Air National Guard, and the Coast Guard, will be on the FedEx and UPS ramps, according to Hanson.

The Airmen's Trade Show is a free family oriented event with no-cost shuttle service from the North Terminal Parking lot along Postmark Dr. to the FedEx Hangar. Last year's trade show was host to over 21,000 people who came to see and talk to aviation specialists face to face and review their favorite airplanes. The event located in the FedEx maintenance hangar hosts 250 vendors who offer everything from kit planes, engines, and aviation accessories to a raffle of a completely rebuilt Piper PA-18 Super Cub offered as a fundraiser for the Alaska Airmen's Association.

"This airplane has parts donated by over 60 vendors and is a completely Bush outfitted airplane with Tundra tires, Landis Airglas skis, and Aerocet floats," said Dan Hollingsworth of Dan's Aircraft Repair. This Alaskan Cub is the third PA-18 refurbished by Dan's Aircraft Repair for the Alaska Airmen's Association Trade Show and Convention. The raffle winner of the aircraft will be announced at 5 p.m. May 2nd at the closing of the event.

"We will be wheeling the aircraft into place on Thursday and Friday to get ready for the biggest aviation weekend of the year," said Hanson.

FMI: www.alaskaairmen.org