Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Craig Fuller, as well as FAA Southern Region Regional Administrator Doug Murphy, will headline the Southeast Aviation Expo, which will be held at the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) in South Carolina this weekend.
“The aviation industry has been going through a lot of changes lately so it will be great to hear about these issues from the FAA, as well as from the most well-known aviation user support group in the world,” stated James Stephens, program aanager for the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC).
On Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1:15 p.m., Fuller will address attendees at the Southeast Aviation Expo. Immediately following Fuller’s address, Murphy will provide an industry update.
“The future handling of air traffic, with the introduction of Nextgen, is of interest to our local pilots and airport staff,” stated Joe Frasher, Airport Director of the Greenville Downtown Airport. “The proposed addition of airport user fees is unpopular among aviation groups and everyone is concerned about fuel prices, the economy, funding of airports and the overall plight of general aviation. I think many want to hear from Mr. Fuller and Mr. Murphy what they can expect the future to bring.”
“I am looking forward to speaking at the Southeast Aviation Expo in Greenville. I have always had a passion for flying and a professional one for advocacy, communication and leadership,” stated Fuller. “It is always great to meet others face-to-face who have similar interests and concerns.”
“The FAA works closely with pilots, airports and people in aviation industry to provide a safe aviation environment,” added Murphy. “I welcome the opportunity to meet people in my region at the Southeast Aviation Expo.”
The Southeast Aviation Expo will showcase the latest aviation products; have over 14 static aircraft displayed; educational sessions will be held, of which one will provide information about careers and training available in the aerospace and aviation industry. A listing of all the educational sessions can be found online. It is open to the public. Tickets are $5 with children and students with ids being free.
Exhibitors include Cessna, Cirrus, Michelin Aircraft Tires, ADEX Machining Technologies, AeroCab, Louis Berger Services Inc., James A. Gardner Company, Mint Air, Flight Design USA, Baldwin Safety & Compliance, Motley Rice LLC, Advocate Consulting, Aircare Aviation Services & Support, Hope Aviation Insurance, Just Aircraft, Greenville Downtown Airport, Sebring US Sport Aviation Expo, Lycoming, Aviation Tax Consultants, LLC., US AeroTech – Professional Aircraft Maintenance Training, Liberty University, PF Flyers, Wings Over Greenville, Runway Cafe, Special Services Corporation, Trade-A-Plane, Eclipse Aerospace, Precision Hose Technologies, Inc., CTS International, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Daher-Socata, Champion Aerospace, Skytech, Tempest, Stevens Aviation, LandRover Carolinas, Premier Aircraft Sales, Diamond Aircraft, SWT Aviation Inc., Cubcrafters, Airwolf Aviation Services, 4 Paws Aviation, DTC Duats, Applied Technical Services, Inc., Camden/Donaldson/Greenville Jet Centers, Fractrade, Civil Air Patrol, Pilots N Paws, Eastern Aviation Fuel – Shell Aviation, Eagle Aviation, SCAA, SC Aeronautics Commission, SC Aviation Safety Council, The FAA Flight Standards Districts Office and Angel Flight.
The expo, which will be held on Sept. 28-29 is “like an industry trade show for people who work or have an interest in aviation, but all are welcome,” Frasher added. “The aviation community in the Southeast is very strong and we expect a great turnout. We would like to encourage people to register to attend online. This will help us to have an idea of how many people to plan on and it will also get them admitted into the event quicker.
