Three-Day Event In Philadelphia Oct. 30 - Nov. 1

AOPA Expo 2003 will kick off October 30 at Philadelphia's Convention Center with a chance for GA pilots to meet the FAA Administrator, Marion Blakey. She has accepted an invitation from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Phil Boyer to once again address the opening general assembly.

"I will be honored to speak," Blakey wrote in her acceptance letter. "I look forward to another exciting meeting."

"Administrator Blakey's quick decision to return to AOPA Expo and talk directly with pilots is a certain indication of the importance she places on general aviation in America," said Boyer. "She clearly understands that a vital GA community and industry is good for the country."

Straight Talk From Blakey?

At last year's AOPA Expo, Blakey, just weeks on the job, spoke frankly about the challenges arising out of security concerns that faced both the federal government and the GA community.

But she pledged to fix one problem: supplement hard-to-understand textual notices to airmen (NOTAMs) outlining temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) with graphical depictions. "You need a good picture," Blakey told the pilots assembled in Palm Springs (CA), "and you're going to get it." It took several months longer than anticipated, but the FAA lived up to her promise in mid-June 2003.

More than 500 exhibits will fill the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia with just about everything imaginable for general aviation. From the latest in aircraft modifications to the newest of headsets, it will all be on display under one roof.

A short shuttle-bus ride away is the nation's largest general aviation ramp, at Philadelphia International Airport, where visitors will find dozens of aircraft on display with representatives eager to explain the advantages of each.

Visitors to AOPA Expo will have the opportunity to take part in more than 80 hours of seminars. They may either pick-and-choose individual seminars over the course of the three-day event, or they may choose to follow seminar "tracks" on topics such as Proficient Pilots, Medical Issues, Safety Issues, or Owners.

In addition, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation will offer several sessions of its immensely popular Pinch Hitter Ground School, which teaches frequent right-seat passengers basics of flight and how to be an asset in the air.

Social events include the Opening Luncheon and Welcome Reception on Thursday, the Grand Finale Banquet on Saturday, and because Halloween falls right in the middle of this year's Expo, an AOPA Halloween Party on Friday Night.

As always, ANN will be there with a full crew to provide you with REAL-TIME coverage of this pivotal event.

FMI: www.aopa.org/expo