Cirrus Pilots Converge on Duluth For First Annual Meet

As the swallows return to Capistrano, so Cirrus pilots and owners will migrate to the place where their cherished aircraft were born - Duluth (MN) - next month.

Dozens of Cirrus aircraft are returning to the factory for the first annual COPA (Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association) Migration, June 13-15. It's a chance for members to socialize, tour the factory and attend seminars ranging from survival equipment to advanced GPS operations.

More Than Just A Party

"I am really excited about the way our programs have evolved. We have secured some of the best speakers available to populate our seminars and lectures," said COPA President Mike Radomsky to ANN. Among the speakers:

• Bob Wright, FAA
• Bruce Landsburg, AOPA
• Paul Fiduccia, Small Aircraft Safety Foundation
• JT Helms, COPA, who will lead an insurance forum Saturday morning
• Walter Atkinson GAMI (General Aviation Modifications, Inc.)
• John Deakin, GAMI
• George Braly GAMI

Radomsky says as many as 100 Cirrus aircraft and 200 people are expected to attend. "There will also be the non-flying spouse lecture and seminars given by UND," he told ANN. "The folks from V-Flight will be presenting both advanced and basic seminars on our Garmin 430's. In addition, our major manufacturers will be on hand for seminars and product information and support, including Garmin (what's coming in the future?), Avidyne, S-Tech, L3, Teledyne-Continental and more. Hey, we might even be able to nail down any controversy about LOP operation with the GAMI guys and the Continental folks there at the same time, who knows?"

Liferaft Safety Seminars

Doug Ritter, survival expert from "Equipped to Survive", will instruct attendees on proper liferaft deployment and use. He'll also provide actual, and in some cases, interactive, demonstrations in the hotel pool. The raft itself will be donated by Winslow. If you wanna play in the pool and learn proper liferaft deployment and survival procedures, Radomsky says, "Bring a change of clothes for the ride home Sunday!"

At the big banquet Saturday night, Radomsky says the featured speakers will be John and Martha King (King Schools). The Kings will be arriving Saturday in their bizjet, so be sure to look for it on the Cirrus ramp. They have also been kind enough to offer a discount to COPA on their latest product, Practical Risk Management For Pilots.

FMI: www.cirruspilots.org