The FLYING Aviation Expo has its list of educational guest speakers and programs in anticipation for the three-day event and trade show set for Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Palm Springs, Calif.
Speakers include experienced pilots and industry professionals who will discuss how to apply Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) skills to Visual Flight Rules (VFR), flying IFR with modern GPSs, how to ditch and survive when flying over water, how to prepare for the unexpected, and new technologies for the cockpit.
“One of the biggest components of the Expo is the educational aspect,” said Marco Parrotto, owner and president of Lift Event Management, who with Urban Expositions is organizing the expo. “These speakers and programs are top notch and will provide a great experience for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.”
Among the speakers in the learning tracks are:
- Robert Goyer, editor in chief of FLYING magazine, is set to speak about “Applying IFR Skills to VFR” and to moderate a thought-leadership panel discussion on technology.
- Doug Stewart, CFII, executive director of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), will provide pilots with tips on preparing for the unexpected, flying tailwheels, and flying single pilot IFR. Stewart will also present “Weather: Beyond the Standard Briefing.”
- William Pass & Tina Dittmar will present “Self Rescue for Pilots: Ditch and Survive.”
- Judy Phelps, Master CFI-A, will present on upset training and in-flight maneuvers.
- Dr. Jack Hastings will lead a seminar titled “Aviation and the Neurology of Thinking.”
- Jamail Larkins of Ascension Air will be a featured participant on a panel about affordable aircraft ownership.
- Jason Blair, a pilot educator and flight training professional, will lead a forum with flight training leaders.
The list of keynote speakers includes Brian Shul, a former United States Air Force fighter pilot who famously flew more than 200 close-air missions in the Vietnam War.
Other subject matter covered includes night and mountain flying, best apps for iPads, transitioning into the flight levels, upgrading the instrument panel, a “Help Me, Help You” presentation from the National Aircraft Traffic Controllers Association (NATC), and an intensive IFR Refresher course.
The full schedule is available at Aviation-xpo.com and continues to be updated as more programs are added.