The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo has finalized its lineup of keynote speakers for the 12th annual Expo, set for Jan. 20-23, 2016, at the Sebring Regional Airport (SEF).
The latest speaker to confirm his appearance is Mike Busch, one of the best-known A&Ps/IAs in general aviation.
Busch will speak on Friday, Jan. 22, at 1:30 p.m. in the Aviators Hot Line Show Center Tent. He will also conduct two forums on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Busch is founder and CEO of Savvy Aircraft Maintenance Management, which provides professional maintenance management services for owner-flown aircraft, and of SavvyAnalysis.com, providing engine monitor data analysis for piston aircraft. He also offers free maintenance webinars for aircraft owners on the first Wednesday of each month and frequently presents webinars for the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Kitplanes editor Paul Dye will lead off the Keynote Speakers series on Wednesday, Jan. 20, also speaking at 1:30 p.m. Prior to his work at Kitplanes, Dye worked at NASA where he served as lead flight director for nine space shuttle missions, more than any other flight director. In addition, Dye has built an RV-3, an RV-8, and is currently working on a Dream Tundra and Xenos motorglider.
On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Expo will host a panel of industry experts to discuss the “Present and Future of Personal Aviation.” Jack Hodgson of Uncontrolled Air Space (UCAP), will moderate the panel. Other participants include: Charlie Becker, EAA Homebuilt Community Manager; Tom Bliss, publisher of AVweb; Paul Dye, editor of Kitplanes; Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, and Les Smith, AOPA Senior Director, Pilot Community Development.
On Saturday during the Keynote Speaker slot at 1:30 p.m., the UCAP team will host a live podcast from the Expo. Jack Hodgson, Jeb Burnside, and Dave Higdon will talk about the topics of the day and welcome questions from the audience.
In addition to these keynote speaker presentations, AOPA Ambassador Jamie Beckett will host two Rusty Pilot Seminars during the 2016 Expo. Pre-registration is appreciated, but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis until the classroom is full.
Throughout the four-day event, the Flying Musicians Association (FMA) will be entertaining Expo attendees. There’s also a full slate of forum presentations, seminars, and workshops.
Expo Director Jana Filip is currently finalizing those presentations. Anyone interested in presenting a forum is urged to submit their proposal online. The forum schedule will be finalized in late October.