The aviation calendar seems to grow more crowded every year, and 2010 looks to be no exception. First to come up is the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, right around the corner, Jan. 21 to 24, in Sebring, Fla. Just a few years old, this event has established itself as the place to be if you’re in the market for a sport aircraft, or just want to learn more about sport flying. The event is still small enough for exhibitors to spend quality time with visitors, but big enough to explore the full range of sport aviation, from fixed-wing to trikes, powered parachutes, motor gliders and gyroplanes. Europe’s AERO Friedrichshafen show, from April 8 to 11 in Germany, will focus on environmentally friendly engine developments this year, with examples of electric, hybrid, diesel, and fuel-cell engines on display. Starting this year, the show will be an annual event. Back in Florida, Sun ‘n Fun launches in Lakeland, from April 13 to 18, and another European show, this one in Cannes, France, will take place June 4 to 6. The fourth Eur-Avia Cannes International General Aviation Exhibition aims to provide visitors in southern Europe with a showcase of all sorts of GA aircraft, from sport planes to helicopters to executive jets.
The show season continues into the summer with EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 1. EAA already is posting updates online for visitors, including practical tips on travel and accommodations, plus announcements of a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Piper Cherokee, the 75th anniversary of the DC-3, the return of an “Oshkosh Express” 747 from Australia and New Zealand, and lots more. It looks to be a busy year ahead, with lots more events yet to come, so might as well start marking off those calendars now.
