Three-Day Event In Philadelphia Oct. 30 - Nov. 1
AOPA Expo 2003 will kick off
October 30 at Philadelphia's Convention Center with a chance for GA
pilots to meet the FAA Administrator, Marion Blakey. She has
accepted an invitation from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
President Phil Boyer to once again address the opening general
assembly.
"I will be honored to speak," Blakey wrote in her acceptance
letter. "I look forward to another exciting meeting."
"Administrator Blakey's quick decision to return to AOPA Expo
and talk directly with pilots is a certain indication of the
importance she places on general aviation in America," said Boyer.
"She clearly understands that a vital GA community and industry is
good for the country."
Straight Talk From Blakey?
At last year's AOPA Expo, Blakey, just weeks on the
job, spoke frankly about the challenges arising out of security
concerns that faced both the federal government and the GA
community.
But she pledged to fix one problem:
supplement hard-to-understand textual notices to airmen (NOTAMs)
outlining temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) with graphical
depictions. "You need a good picture," Blakey told the pilots
assembled in Palm Springs (CA), "and you're going to get it." It
took several months longer than anticipated, but the FAA lived up
to her promise in mid-June 2003.
More than 500 exhibits will fill the Pennsylvania Convention
Center in downtown Philadelphia with just about everything
imaginable for general aviation. From the latest in aircraft
modifications to the newest of headsets, it will all be on display
under one roof.
A short shuttle-bus ride away is the nation's largest general
aviation ramp, at Philadelphia International Airport, where
visitors will find dozens of aircraft on display with
representatives eager to explain the advantages of each.
Visitors to AOPA Expo will have the opportunity to take part in
more than 80 hours of seminars. They may either pick-and-choose
individual seminars over the course of the three-day event, or they
may choose to follow seminar "tracks" on topics such as Proficient
Pilots, Medical Issues, Safety Issues, or Owners.
In addition, the AOPA Air Safety
Foundation will offer several sessions of its immensely popular
Pinch Hitter Ground School, which teaches frequent right-seat
passengers basics of flight and how to be an asset in the air.
Social events include the Opening Luncheon and Welcome Reception
on Thursday, the Grand Finale Banquet on Saturday, and because
Halloween falls right in the middle of this year's Expo, an AOPA
Halloween Party on Friday Night.
As always, ANN will be there with a full crew
to provide you with REAL-TIME coverage of this pivotal event.