US Sport Aviation Expo Runs January 11-14

Anyone seeking the latest information on virtually any aspect of sport pilot/light-sport aircraft (SP/LSA) will want to head to Sebring, FL next week, January 11-14, for the third annual US Sport Aviation Expo at the Sebring Regional Airport.

Several members of the Aero-News gang will be at the event, as we seek to learn even more about this exciting -- and fast-growing -- segment of general aviation. (In fact, at least two ANN staffers are planning to go after their sport pilot certificates... one has already passed her ground test.)

Of course, we'll also bring our readers and listeners the very latest news on the sport pilot category, as well as all of sport aviation. And we suspect there will be A LOT of news to report.

Nearly 120 exhibitors from throughout the world are scheduled to appear at Sebring, including all the prominent LSA manufacturers.

Also included in the mix are some new aircraft, says event chairman Bob Wood. Cessna will have its new Cessna Sport proof-of-concept aircraft on display, and new category entries are expected from IndUS Aviation and Maule (!).

The EAA reports Orlando Sanford Aircraft Sales may even have a new Champ on display, if it can acquire the proper documentation in time.

EAA has coordinated a full slate of informational forums, covering all aspects of SP/LSA, from the basics rule itself... to questions you’ll want to ask before purchasing an LSA.

“It’s a different type of environment than EAA AirVenture Oshkosh or Sun ’n Fun,” remarked EAA’s Ron Wagner, Expo forums coordinator. “It’s focused solely on sport pilot-light-sport aircraft, and feels more like a large EAA sport pilot tour stop.”

Representatives from the FAA’s Light-Sport Aviation Branch in Oklahoma City will also be present, to conduct a series of forums and answer questions. EAA will also be providing free sport pilot student pilot certificates with an FAA designated pilot examiner from 10 am-2 pm, Thursday through Saturday.

EAA Membership Services staff will be on hand to help current and prospective EAA members join or renew, answer questions about EAA membership, its advantages, features, and benefits. Also slated to appear are representatives from Falcon Insurance Agency, administrators of the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan, and AirFleet Capital for the EAA Aircraft Financing Program.

Apart from the myriad aircraft manufacturers and dealers, exhibits will feature engines, avionics, propellers, coatings, and other aircraft components. There’s also much on the grounds slated for instructors and maintenance people.

Grounds will open at 7:30 am each day, with exhibits open from 8:30 am-5:00 pm. (3 pm on Sunday). Demonstration flights are also scheduled throughout the Expo.

We'll see you there!

FMI: www.sport-aviation-expo.com, www.eaa.org