Expo breaks its own record in San Jose
This year's AOPA Expo in San Jose, California, turned in another record-breaking crowd, surpassing the high-water mark set just last year in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In all, 9,068 attendees packed into the McEnery Convention Center in downtown San Jose between October 17 and 19. A record breaker wasn't a surprise, since there are more pilots and AOPA members in California than in any other state. Expo '96 marked AOPA's first convention appearance in Northern California.
Nestled in the scenic Silicon (Santa Clara) Valley, the birthplace of the silicon microchip, San Jose is the largest city in the valley and the third largest in California. The weather was conducive to fly-in traffic — unlike Expo '95, where heavy rains driven by 50-knot winds reduced fly- in traffic on the second day. No more than a few sprinkles managed to reach the ground at San Jose's downtown Reid-Hillview Airport during the show.
Reid-Hillview was host to the static aircraft display, where 65 aircraft were shown by various manufacturers and modifiers. Every 15 minutes shuttle buses provided transportation between the static display and the convention center. Back at the convention center, a record-setting 427 exhibits filled the exhibit hall; in fact, some spilled out into the adjacent corridors. More than 100 hours of seminars, ranging from how to handle a ramp check to flying GPS approaches, were offered on site. For the first time, Expo attendees were offered seminar "tracks," which targeted specific seminars based on the interest or experience level of the pilot. Whether your interests lie in ownership matters, medical issues, or the concerns of a high-time pilot, there was a group of seminars dedicated to the learning task.
AOPA President Phil Boyer kicked off the show with the "Team AOPA" general session, which included much talk about the importance of saving general aviation airports, especially those near downtown areas. Citing such examples as the recent bullying of Merrill C. Meigs Field by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and the woes of San Jose's own Reid-Hillview, Boyer stressed the importance that downtown airports have on the future of general aviation. Later, at the opening luncheon, San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer promised a large crowd that the city would work to keep Reid-Hillview open despite the city's previous attempts to close it down.
One lady who knows the Reid-Hillview situation all too well is Amelia Reid, who was awarded AOPA's Sharples Award for her lifetime devotion to the preservation and advancement of general aviation. Dubbed Northern California's first lady of aviation, Reid is an active pilot with more than 50 years experience. She has amassed 40,000 hours and trained more than 4,000 students, usually starting them in conventional-gear (tailwheel) aircraft at her flight school, Amelia Reid Aviation. Boyer presented Reid with the award and a $1,000 check. "Good, I need this for an overhaul," said Reid.
"Amelia, I'm not aware of any engine you can overhaul for $1,000," replied Boyer.
"No, but it'll get me a new set of rings and a camshaft," Reid explained. On stage, she was paid a visit by a former student, internationally known airshow thriller Sean D. Tucker. The annual award is named after Laurence P. Sharples, AOPA's founding chairman, who established the association with four other Philadelphia-based pilots in 1939.
But Expo is much more than fancy dining and award presentations. The exhibit hall and aircraft static display were brimming with activity as attendees oooed and ahhhed at the latest wares from the GA industry. Nearly everything to improve the safety, performance, and longevity of an airplane and its pilot was displayed and/or demonstrated at Expo. For many pilots, using the goods first-hand or sitting in on a product demonstration gave them enough information to make that final buy/ don't buy decision.
The booths at Lowrance and Garmin were bustling with activity as attendees checked out handheld GPSs with moving map displays. Diamond Aircraft displayed an actual Katana right on the convention floor, and Cirrus Design brought a full-size mockup of its SR20. The Cirrus, with its doors opened up, showed off an enhanced interior that convention-goers were urged to try on for size. At the show, the company managed to nail down three deposits for the new airplane, which is to begin deliveries in late 1997.
Other pilot/ownership organizations, such as the Flying Physicians Association, the University Aviation Association, and the Piper Owner Society, took the opportunity to hold their membership meetings at Expo. Representatives of the United States Parachute Association were also there to inform pilots about the hazards of flying near designated drop zones. The information enlightened some pilots and certainly gave the USPA necessary feedback regarding the awareness of their sport.
Many members and their families experienced the feeling of skydiving by riding "Drop Zone," a 224-foot freefall ride at the nearby Great America Theme Park. AOPA had the exclusive use of the amusement park on Friday evening as members and their guests took full advantage of not having to wait in any lines. Whether it was a sedate ride on the world's largest carousel or all- out screams on the "Top Gun" roller coaster, attendees were allowed to ride over and over. At times, it was hard to tell who was more excited about having the rides to themselves, the members or the 100 Little Leaguers and their families who were invited as AOPA's guests as part of a program to increase youth awareness in aviation.
Movers and shakers
The next morning, Cessna Aircraft Company hosted a gigantic early-bird breakfast for anybody who stopped by their exhibit or static display. Company officials used the opportunity to announce the latest information about their new singles, the latest production schedule, and future plans. Likewise, not many pilots were going to let the Cessna folks get away without answering some questions like: "Can we expect any new retractable-gear models?" or "What is the possibility of introducing a new light twin?" The answers: Yes, Cessna is considering bringing some RG models back into production, and they hinted about a clean-sheet design for a light twin powered by turbine engines.
Meanwhile, having left Los Angeles, FAA Administrator David Hinson and his son were arriving early in the morning at San Jose International Airport in an Aerospatiale Trinidad. A little later, at the "Meet the FAA" general session at the convention center, Hinson delivered a sort of "state of GA" speech from the standpoint of his administration. The packed-in crowd listened intently as Hinson addressed such timely issues as airport closures, the cost of flying, and the "molasses of process" that slows rulemaking at the FAA. Hinson, making one of his final appearances as administrator, said of his pending resignation that he was excited about the prospect of spending more time at his favorite pastime, flying private airplanes.
As at any Expo, AOPA awarded the Max Karant Journalism Awards for fair, accurate, and insightful coverage of general aviation in nontrade media. In the television category, this year's winners were Idaho Public Television's Bruce Reichert, Victoria Osborn, and Pat Metzler for their segment titled Outdoor Idaho: Back Country Pilots. Idaho viewers were treated to a firsthand look at the significance general aviation has on the state's economy and transportation needs by being able to reach remote areas. In the printed media category, Chris Kauffmann's three-part series in the Vero Beach Press-Journal about the demise and rebirth of Piper Aircraft Corporation was recognized. According to the judges of the competition, Kauffman's piece explored "new issues that no one had previously covered." The $1,000 award was given in honor of Max Karant, AOPA 000018, the first editor of AOPA Pilot magazine, who retired in 1978.
Other honored guests at Expo included David Littlefield, the Renton, Washington, air traffic controller who talked down a nonpilot passenger flying a Cessna 206 after the pilot suffered a heart attack. Littlefield was awarded the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Distinguished Pilot Award. Sharon Hauser, the winner of AOPA's 1995 First New 172 Sweepstakes, received a set of personalized cowl plugs and other equipment for her soon-to-be-finished airplane. She attended Expo with her father, retired airline captain Lee Nelson. Her airplane, which began construction on July 10, will be delivered in January.
Legendary showman R.A. (Bob) Hoover was on hand every day at Expo to sign autographs and accept congratulations on his return to the U.S. airshow circuit. Hoover took a few moments out of the closing banquet to personally thank AOPA General Counsel John Yodice, F. Lee Bailey, and Phil Boyer for all of the support they offered following the forced surrender of his medical certificate to the FAA. Finally, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) received the AOPA Hartranft Award for his "preservation and advancement in aviation legislative leadership in FAA reform." The Hartranft Award is named after Joseph B. (Doc) Hartranft, AOPA's first president.
Fly-in folks
In all, 650 airplanes checked in at Reid-Hillview and San Jose International airports. James Pemble, of Marco Island, Florida, trekked the longest distance (2,340 miles) to San Jose in his Piper Seneca II, which happened to take "Best Panel" honors in the aircraft judging contest. Josh Pava, a student pilot from San Jose, was the youngest pilot to attend Expo, at 16 years and 6 days, but he was not the newest pilot; those honors went to James Shumacher, of San Rafael, California. Jim Armstrong, AOPA 004173, was the oldest attending pilot at a youthful 85 years and 11 months. Other winners in the aircraft judging competition: James Hager, of Alameda, California, who won best exterior for his Piper Comanche N6718P; Charles Gunderson from Austin, Texas, who took best interior honors for his Piper Apache N4373P; and Robert T. Dill, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, who took home the Judges' Choice Award for his Cessna Skylane N63BD. All aircraft were on display at Reid-Hillview.
Expo '97
Did you happen to miss this year's Expo or simply couldn't make the trip to California? Next year's Expo is scheduled for October 23 through 25 at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida. As always, we're preparing for a record-breaking turnout, and you can be a part of it.
For more information about AOPA Expo '97, call 800/942-4269.
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