AOPA Expo '99

Ten great reasons why you should come to AOPA Expo

Pilots and prospective pilots — especially those of you in the northeastern states — do you need a good excuse to come to Atlantic City, New Jersey, during October 21 to 23 for AOPA Expo? Probably not, but here are 10 to whet your appetite.

1. The exhibits. At the heart of any Expo is ability to see hundreds and hundreds of companies and their products. Attendees have said year after year that this is the aspect of the event that they enjoy the most. As veteran attendees know, AOPA Expo is the place to compare products side by side. Full-scale aircraft mockups on the exhibit floor, along with all the major headset manufacturers, all the largest players in the software industry, the top avionics and service providers, aircraft modification companies from across the nation — well, you get the idea. Aviation businesses consider Expo to be one of their most important shows of the season. This year more exhibits than ever before await you in Atlantic City's new high-tech Convention Center. A record-setting 450 exhibits are expected.
2. Product demonstrations. The companies don't just show you their products; in many cases you can actually try them out. Listen to the intercoms, operate the flight planning software, ask questions, and see for yourself which product meets your needs. All the competing products you have considered these past months are in one location, sometimes side by side.
3. Static display. It wouldn't be an AOPA Expo without all the newest and best general aviation aircraft and aircraft modifications to view. The static display at nearby Bader Field will feature 70 aircraft and aircraft modification companies. See them up close and judge for yourself.
4. Atlantic City. The ample and expanded auto parking facilities and Expo hotels available will surprise you. You will enjoy the 24-hour casinos with their top-name entertainers, the world's first and most famous boardwalk, and great restaurants. Obviously, don't overlook the great golfing and fishing opportunities offered in Atlantic City.
5. Seminars. Attending Expo is like getting an advanced degree in aviation. You'll find the seminars not only informative but also entertaining, and taught by some of the top speakers and educators in the country. Here is just a sampling of what you'll learn at some of the 80 other sessions. Medical seminars: Do you know which prescription and over-the-counter drugs are acceptable to the FAA for use by pilots, and which are not? Aviation General Interest seminars: Want to know how best to photograph your aircraft? Proficient Pilot seminars: Want to stay away from freezing rain and find out how GPS can help the instrument pilot? All-Pilot seminars: How do you survive a ramp check? Safety seminars: The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has some of the best aviation instructors in the world, and they are ready to tell you about airspace, accident prevention, and weather tactics. Owner seminars: There will be lots of tips for kitbuilders this year, along with the usual good advice about insurance, avionics, owner-performed maintenance, and aircraft taxes. There are even seminars for your nonpilot guests on such topics as playing the gaming tables, selecting wine, and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's famous Pinch-Hitter ground school. You'll also find a seminar offering 30 quick ideas in 30 minutes to improve your flying.
6. General sessions. Three huge sessions of interest to all attendees will bring you up to date on general aviation's hot topics and newest trends. As always, top aviation leaders have been invited to speak. Among the topics to be discussed are modernization of the air traffic control system, and what that means to the aircraft owner who must keep his aircraft equipped to fly in the system.
7. Social events. On Friday, October 22, you can attend the best Halloween party of your life. Come in costume or not, and enjoy the food and atmosphere — a scary one at that. As if the Halloween party isn't enough, there is an entertaining luncheon on October 21 and a banquet on Saturday evening, October 23. At the luncheon you can help AOPA celebrate its sixtieth birthday. There'll be video clips, a multimedia presentation, a featured guest speaker, and more. The banquet features a superb dinner, a dance band, and the announcement of AOPA's top award winners for service to general aviation. Social events include a welcome reception at 6 p.m. on October 21 featuring seven country-theme buffet areas. Tickets are required for all events.
8. Aviation humorist Rod Machado. Machado, a columnist for AOPA Pilot, will present a seminar on reducing cockpit stress between the sexes, and another on defensive flying.
9. Meet AOPA staff. You'll find all the top staff in attendance, whether it be AOPA President Phil Boyer, your membership and aviation services staff, or writers from AOPA Pilot. Get those questions ready; this is your chance visit personally with association employees.
10. Discounts. Discount packages for one, two, and three-day stays are available to those who preregister. All you do is call 888/GO2-EXPO, or look for Expo information on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/expo/). An advance-registration savings certificate is available through October 1. Everyone who registers before October 1 is automatically entered to win The Ultimate Flight Bag containing an Icom A22 transceiver, a Garmin GPSMap 195, a Flightcom Denali headset, and the Jeppesen flight bag itself. Procrastinators can register on site. But don't wait too long. Official Expo hotels are selling out fast. You save nine percent to 49 percent by staying at an official hotel. They are: Bally's Park Place-A Hilton Casino Resort, Caesar's Atlantic City Casino & Hotel, Claridge Casino Hotel, Harrah's Casino Hotel, Holiday Inn Boardwalk, Quality Inn Atlantic City, Sheraton Convention Center Hotel, and Tropicana Casino & Resort. All hotel reservations must be made through the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority via fax or mail. For information call 609/449-7114.

If you are flying in, Atlantic City International Airport is the official Expo airport. Fly-in procedures will be available after September 15 and will be sent automatically to those already registered. Or call 888/GO2-EXPO to request a copy of the procedures, or see them on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/expo/).

Those driving in will find ample parking at the Convention Center, at Expo hotels, and nearby facilities.