Planes, Avionics, Flight Gear, Insurance... It's ALL There
It's almost here... AOPA Expo, which
kicks off Thursday, November 9 in Palm Springs, CA. And word has it
EVERYTHING that could be on a pilot's wish list -- from new
aircraft to the latest avionics, from fly-in communities to flight
training centers -- will be on display and available during the
three-day event at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm
Springs, CA.
The sold-out exhibit hall will open immediately following each
general session. With more than 500 exhibitors, the hall includes
aircraft manufacturers, avionics, flight gear, navigation tools,
flight training services, and much more.
"AOPA Expo is a unique opportunity -- for both pilots and
vendors," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "For pilots, just about
anything they might be interested is available all under one roof.
And for vendors, they've got the undivided attention of thousands
of very interested potential customers."
All of AOPA's Member Products will be represented. There will be
financing and tax specialists, charity and public service
organizations such as Angel Flight and Civil Air Patrol, avionics
manufacturers, and aviation software publishers. Shoppers can try
out new headsets or "test drive" the latest GPS units.
In addition, Expo Platinum Sponsor DTC DUAT will sponsor an
Internet Café that will be located inside the hall. Visitors
are invited to stop by to check the weather before their flights,
or check their e-mail.
And speaking of flying... if you're looking for a new aircraft,
look no further than AOPA Expo. More than 80 aircraft will be on
display for pilots and aviation enthusiasts to see up close at the
Palm Springs Convention Center.
Headlining the display will be the AOPA Win a Six in '06
sweepstakes airplane, a 1967 Piper Cherokee Six. This will be the
first public appearance for the Six following its new paint job and
interior refurbishment (the plane is shown above in its pre-AOPA
condition.)
The Win a Six plane also has new avionics and a newly overhauled
engine. The state-of-the-art panel has a Sandel electronic
horizontal situation indicator, a Garmin GNS 530 GPS, and an
Avidyne EX500 multifunction display with satellite weather and
traffic systems displayed on it, among many other panel
upgrades. A PS Engineering audio panel and entertainment
system allows passengers to watch in-flight movies on three
different screens.
The other aircraft on display represent a wide array of
manufacturers: American Champion, Aerostar, Aviat, Columbia,
Cirrus, Diamond, EADS Socata, Epic, Embraer, Liberty, Maule,
Mooney, Pilatus, New Piper, Raytheon (Beechcraft), and Twin
Commander.
Homebuilders will also be VERY well represented. Glasair will
have on display aircraft aimed at the home-builder market, as will
Van's, and Velocity. And if fixed wings aren't your thing, Robinson
Helicopters will showcase two of its models, as well.
The Eclipse 500 jet, Cessna Citation Mustang, and Adam A700 will
also be on display... as will models from the new crop of light
sport aircraft.
See ya there!