The 14th annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, caught a break from the weather Wednesday and opened under clear skies and light winds. Show organizers told AVweb that both exhibitor participation and pre-show ticket sales are up over last year’s numbers. Moreover, the show grounds continue to get tweaks, including additions to the food court.
“I think a lot of it has to do with good weather. A lot of the folks are coming from up north and they’ve been able to get in. We still have a handful that are out but they’ve contacted us and said they should be in by tomorrow,” said Beverly Glarner, Sebring’s executive assistant. Show advance tickets sales are up by about 50 percent over last year, she added.
This is the second year that Sport Aviation Expo has set up the show oriented more toward the south end of the ramp and more or less centered on the airport administration and FBO building. Glarner told us some displays, like the vendor tent, have been moved a little more to the south to attract more foot traffic. Big draws this year include EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor and the original BatCopter used in the 1966 television series Batman. Show attendees can buy rides in both of these aircraft.
More than a dozen light sport manufacturers are showing aircraft and with the flightline right next to the display area, the vendors were flying numerous demos on Wednesday’s opening day. Glarner said the show is again sponsoring its YAZ program—youth in aviation—and will bring student groups from local schools to the show on Thursday. On Friday, a STEM program for students is planned. For a video overview, see AVweb’s show coverage video and look for more reports later this week.
