Seminars expected to be a top attraction
AOPA Expo '97 is headed back to Orlando, one of America's most popular vacation destinations, where it is sure to make a bigger splash than ever before. You'll find scores of seminars to keep your aeronautical knowledge up to date, new aircraft on static display, and hundreds of tempting products.
Expo takes place this year from October 23 through 25 at Marriott's Orlando World Center, literally minutes from the Disney World entrance.
A record number of exhibitors — 425 — will display a wide variety of products in the World Center's convention exhibit area. You'll find a diverse offering, ranging from books and apparel to flight simulators and survival kits. Exhibits are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The aircraft static display is at the Orlando Executive Airport. Transportation will be provided between the convention site and the static displays, courtesy of Sporty's Pilot Shop. Arrival procedures for Executive Airport will be sent to those registering in advance.
The seminars are arranged into six "tracks" so that you can plan a schedule specific to your primary type of flying. In that way, you won't miss any seminars on related topics because of schedule conflicts. Included are Aviation General Interest, High-Time Pilots, All Pilots, Medical Issues, Safety, and Owner tracks.
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's popular Pinch-Hitter Ground School will be offered on all 3 days. In addition, ASF's sensational "Most Dangerous Game" quiz show will be presented. Having trouble figuring out how to fly a GPS approach? Try the "Flying GPS Approaches Safely" or "Introduction to GPS" seminars. The "FAR Refresher" session promises to be popular now that FAR Part 61 has undergone massive revision. It will have just gone into effect a month earlier.
Flight instructors will benefit from sessions on "Attracting and Keeping Student Pilots" and the "Airline Pilot Job Market." Having trouble keeping the blood pressure under control, especially in the doctor's office? See "Hypertension and the White-Coat Syndrome." Those are just a few of the in-depth educational seminars available to you.
Helping make a splash in Orlando is Shamu, the killer whale, during AOPA Expo night at Sea World. The attraction will be closed to all but AOPA members and their guests. Friday night will be a special treat when AOPA takes you to Sea World for an evening of dining and entertainment by our sea-dwelling friends. The adventure starts with a buffet dinner. After a performance by Shamu, you are on your own to tour four major areas of the park. Experience a simulated helicopter ride through a blizzard, see the world-famous Clydesdale horses, and explore the deadly undersea world hundreds of leagues beneath the sea. Dessert and coffee will be served during this time, so when the buffet meal has settled and the mood strikes, a high-calorie recharge for your batteries will be only steps away. Tickets for AOPA's night at Sea World and for all Expo social events may be purchased in a package plan in advance, or individually on site.
Other groups, as usual, will be conducting meetings during Expo. They include the Flying Physicians Association, American Yankee Association, Air Care Alliance, Cessna Owner Organization, Flying Chiropractors Association, International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians, Living With Your Plane Association, Mercy Airlift, National Council for Women in Aviation/Aerospace, The Ninety-Nines, Piper Owner Society, United Flying Octogenarians, United States Parachute Association, and United States Pilots Association.
A special event this year is a luncheon honoring the memory of Max Karant, author of the monthly "AOPA Confidential Newsletter" and the first editor of AOPA Pilot. The respected Max Karant Journalism Award and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Distinguished Pilot of the Year Award will also be presented. The program features video clips and multimedia presentations showing the accomplishments of the award recipients.
Capping the festivities is the banquet on Saturday night with live entertainment and dancing to a variety of music and styles. The recipients of AOPA's 1997 Sharples Award and AOPA's prestigious Hartranft Award will be announced.
Click onto AOPA's Web page and see what is in store for you at the Expo. To save you money, special discounts have been arranged with Delta Air Lines (call 800/241-6760 and ask for File T0219), five hotels (ranging from $36 to $149 a night), and three car rental companies.
Prices range from $25 for a one-day exhibits pass to $330 for "the works"; that is, admission to all 3 days of the convention, all the seminars, the Sea World party, the luncheon, a reception, and the closing night banquet. Those who preregister will realize savings of $5 to $90 off those prices. Call 800/942-4269 or check out the AOPA Web site (www.aopa.org) for details.
As always, AOPA offers a Share-A-Flight service to reduce your transportation costs. If you are looking for a ride or for passengers, mark the appropriate box on the registration form to receive information.
You won't be disappointed in AOPA Expo, or for that matter, in Shamu.
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