Summit

Aviation Summit pushes AOPA’s former Expo to full throttle

Aviation legends? Check. Latest aircraft from manufacturers? Check. Educational forums? Check. Technical gadgets and gizmos for the cockpit? Check. AOPA Aviation Summit brings all of that—and more—to one location this November: Long Beach, Calif.

AOPA Aviation Summit is a new twist on the association’s annual convention known as Expo. It takes the convention’s hits, like its educational forums and airport static display to a higher level. Whether you want to become a safer pilot, learn about exciting fly-in destinations, get tips for buying and maintaining aircraft, start using your aircraft for business travel, or learn how to protect your medical, the 65 plus-hours of educational forums at Summit are a must.

The traditional static display at the convention’s host airport has been expanded. Airportfest, located at Long Beach/Daugherty Field, will not only feature the latest aircraft from GA manufacturers, but also gliders, helicopters, and military aircraft—nearly 100 aircraft will fill the ramp! Discovery flights will also be available. And new this year, Airportfest will feature a pancake breakfast fly-in and an evening barbecue on Saturday, Nov. 13. Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided to these events round trip from the Long Beach Convention Center and the AirFlite FBO.

For years, pilots have used AOPA’s annual convention as an annual meeting place among friends who live in different parts of the country. It’s their time each year to hang out with fellow pilots and share the passion for aviation. . AOPA Aviation Summit continues to offer many settings—forums, social events, etc.—for friends to meet up, but new this year are opportunities for pilots to meet aviation legends.

Dine with aerobatic performers Sean Tucker, Dale Snodgrass, Corkey Fornof, and Julie Clark; Reno Air Race pilots Skip Holm, Dennis Buehn, and Will Whiteside; women leaders in aviation Dr. Peggy Chabrian, Patty Wagstaff, Anna Mracek Dietrich of Terrafugia, WASP Bee Haydu, and Major Samantha Weeks; and aviation pioneers including Mike Melvill who flew SpaceShipOne and Dick Rutan; health experts and military pilots. Also, dine with AOPA President Craig Fuller or the editors of AOPA Pilot magazine. ( Sign up for Dine Arounds.)

For your pilot accessory needs, the exhibit hall will include products like headsets, flight bag gear, jewelry, clothing, aircraft cleaning and maintenance products, avionics, and more. Also in the exhibit hall this year will be the popular new AOPA Live® stage featuring interviews with the movers and shakers in the aviation industry.

For the first time, the AOPA convention will conclude with a benefit, the Night for Flight, on the RMS Queen Mary. The benefit, and an online auction, will help the AOPA Foundation support its key initiatives designed to help general aviation.

Don’t miss out on AOPA Aviation Summit— register today and reserve your hotel by Oct. 18 to receive special rates! See you in Long Beach, Nov. 11 through 13. —AOPA ePublishing staff