O RLANDO, F LORIDA—Some 1,600 AOPA Expo guests enjoyed a private party at Sea World of Florida on Friday evening. Members sitting in the Shamu Stadium’s lower level had an opportunity to practice their emergency egress techniques when the largest killer whale in captivity began exercising its tail, dousing those seated in the first dozen rows. Sea World’s manager, an AOPA member, took AOPA President Phil Boyer backstage to meet the whales; Boyer said the mammals felt like rubber deicing boots. After dinner and the show, guests enjoyed several park attractions and dessert. One member looked up when a Piper Seminole flew over the festivities, shook his head slowly, and remarked, “He’s too late.” Fireworks and a laser light show capped the memorable evening.
October 24, 1997