Sebring Expo Opens Next Wednesday
EAA’s One Week Wonder and AOPA’s “Reimagined 152” to ParticipateFinal preparations are underway for this year’s U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, which starts next Wednesday, January 14, and runs through Saturday, January 17, on the Sebring Regional Airport (SEF). Expo Director Jana Filip said, “Excitement is building, and we’re delighted to welcome nearly 30 first-time exhibitors to this year’s event, highlighting our expanded focus on all affordable aircraft options, including Tight-sport, homebuilt, and refurbished aircraft, and ultralights.” More than 120 exhibitors are scheduled to participate.
Sebring Expo Opens Next Week!EAA's One Week Wonder and AOPA's "Reimagined 152" to ParticipateFinal preparations are underway for this year's U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, which starts next Wednesday, January 14, and runs through Saturday, January 17, on the Sebring Regional Airport (SEF). More than 18,000 U.S. and international visitors attended last year's event.The Sebring Expo is the place to see, try, fly, and buy anything related to affordable aircraft, including light-sport, homebuilt, and refurbished aircraft, and ultralights. Expo Director Jana Filip said, "Excitement is building, and we're delighted to welcome nearly 30 first-time exhibitors to this year's event, highlighting our expanded focus on all affordable aircraft options. We are also very grateful to our sponsors and partners for their contributions to the Expo."In addition to the more than 120 exhibitors displaying aircraft and their associated equipment, EAA's One Week Wonder and the AOPA's "Reimagined 152" also will be on display.More than 2,500 EAA members and a core group of volunteers constructed EAA's One Week Wonder, a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer, during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014. Charlie Becker, EAA's Homebuilding Community Manager, said, "The project was an effort to introduce more people to homebuilding, show that building an aircraft is an attainable goal, and that homebuilt aircraft are an affordable aircraft option."The One Week Wonder will travel to a number of fly-ins throughout the country in the coming year, Becker said, to continue to introduce homebuilding to potential builders. The short takeoff and landing aircraft is powered by a state-of-the-art Rotax 912iS engine and Dynon touch-screen avionics panel.With its Reimagined 152, AOPA is exploring the concept that older airplanes that have been updated from tip to tail can help bring down the cost of flying...a concept similar to that espoused by Triple R Affordable Aircraft (www.tripleraffordableaircraft.com). AOPA has partnered with Aviat Aircraft and together they will spend the remainder of this year testing this concept. AOPA believes that when owned and operated in a community--such as a flying club, partnership, or flight school--these aircraft have the potential to allow many more people to fly and become engaged in general aviation in ways that are not possible through singular aircraft ownership. Both aircraft will be displayed at their respective booths on the Expo grounds with representatives available to discuss each association's programs.New for Expo this year is an Aircraft Sales Lot, offering private owners the opportunity to display their aircraft for sale. Aviators Hot Line will manage the Aircraft Sales Lot, which will be adjacent to the Homebuilt Parking Area on the Sebring Airport ramp. Learn more about the Aircraft Sales Lot and the Homebuilt Parking Area at www.sportaviationexpo.com/arrival-procedures.Daily forums, keynote speakers, and workshops will offer several learning opportunities for current and would-be pilots and aircraft owners. Stewart Covering Systems will conduct twice-daily hands-on covering workshops, and Aviation Survival Technologies will likewise demonstrate safe techniques for exiting an aircraft after a water ditching. Twice-daily exhibitor showcases will allow Expo attendees to observe a variety of aircraft in flight, and demo flights will be available continuously throughout the event.The Seaplane Pilot's Association will again host a Seaplane Splash-In from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17, on Lake Jackson in Sebring adjacent to the Sunset Grill on Highway 27. A shuttle will operate regularly between the Expo site and the Seaplane Splash-In.The Aviators Hot Line Show Center Tent will be a center of activity for Expo visitors, offering a place for visitors to relax and enjoy lunch from the onsite concessionaires. The Flying Musicians Association will again entertain visitors from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily, followed by a keynote speaker each day at 1:30 p.m.Complete details about the event are available at www.sportaviationexpo.com or "like" U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at Facebook.com/SportAviationExpo, or follow the event's updates on Twitter (@USAviationExpo) and Instagram (@SportAviationExpo).
