US aircraft Expo

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4RNB

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4RNB
https://www.usaircraftexpo.com/

Has anyone been to this kind of small show? My interest in going would be to sit in other planes and learn if they would ever work if I step up from a 172. Perhaps listen to the finance guys at what they call an "Ownership Presentation".

What are these shows like?
Thanks.
 
I’ve been to the one in Scottsdale a few times. It is pretty much like what it sounds. Acft manufactures bring out their new shiny toys and you can see and sit in some of them. They had the entry door to the business jets roped off, but you could talk to the vendors and get inside if you wanted.

The smaller GA planes were open and available and all the vendors/salesman I talked to were friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. I went there to check out the Diamond DA40NG and talked to the sales folks for about 30 minutes. I was also very impressed with Tecnam’s offerings. Their little twin would be a lot of fun, albeit not very practical for any mission I would have.

I thought it was well worth the time, and plan on going whenever they have one nearby.
 
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I go each year when they visit Palo Alto or Hayward. makes a fun aviation event for a couple of hours. The show is now back in Palo Alto KPAO and was in town this past Friday & Saturday. The weather was so severe with heavy rain and wind, half the vendors pulled out, and decided to skip it. Maybe next year.
 
aterry1067 said:
I’ve been to the one in Scottsdale a few times. It is pretty much like what it sounds. Acft manufactures bring out their new shiny toys and you can see and sit in some of them. They had the entry door to the business jets roped off, but you could talk to the vendors and get inside if you wanted.

The smaller GA planes were open and available and all the vendors/salesman I talked to were friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. I went there to check out the Diamond DA40NG and talked to the sales folks for about 30 minutes. I was also very impressed with Tecnam’s offerings. Their little twin would be a lot of fun, albeit not very practical for any mission I would have.

I thought it was well worth the time, and plan on going whenever they have one nearby.
Click to expand...
Agree. Helped me with my decision to buy the Tecnam P2010...
 
Go to Oshkosh -- more manufacturers/vendors if your goal is to "try on" as many different airframes as possible. Plus, pretty much anything you'd want to buy on the used market would be represented as well and lots of owners love to show off their planes so getting an up-close looksee shouldn't be a problem.
 
4RNB said:
https://www.usaircraftexpo.com/

Has anyone been to this kind of small show? My interest in going would be to sit in other planes and learn if they would ever work if I step up from a 172. Perhaps listen to the finance guys at what they call an "Ownership Presentation".
Click to expand...

I attended the one in Georgia last year. While it is a small event, I think it would satisfy what you are trying to accomplish.
 
Well, just got back from the US aircraft expo in NC. Very under whelming. The web site lists a bunch of exhibitors, five vendors, and 5 sponsors. We got there real close to start time on first day. I think the manufacturers were represented by 4 of the 15 listed. Flying magazine was setting up as we left. Not sure about the vendors or sponsors, perhaps they were to set up yet, nobody other than Flying was there, we left after about 30 minutes. It might as well been called the Diamond and Cirrus show though there was a Tecnam single and a larger plane from another company. I'd been hoping to talk to Cessna about turbo vs normal 182, was hoping to sit in some Pipers or Beechcraft, and wanted to talk to cub crafters. Not sure where the Tecnam rep was, my interest was in the multi engine plane. Not a lot of interest in the Diamonds or Cirrus so the show did not offer us much (ok, nothing that we went there for). There was not enough for us to do or look at to hang out for the noon owners presentation.

So, I'd say that US Aircraft show mis represents and/or over markets this gathering and/or many companies did not show up.

There was a light drizzle at start time.

I guess to try on more planes for size I'll need to go to Oshkosh or Sun'n'fun.
 
The first day usually tends to be a bit of a set-up time. The weather is supposed to be better tomorrow so that's when I'm going. You saw Diamonds and Cirrus because of clubs and flight schools on and the airport.

But yeah, none of these are even close to an AirVenture or SunNFun.
 
I'm not really comparing to those other venues. But, there was no sign of the following even 30 minutes after the start time: Airbus, Aviat, Cub, Game Composites, Honda, Piper, Textron (three of the following were not there: Epic, Extra, Kodiak, TBM, Pilatus). I don't think Flying Eyes, Go Rentals, Wipaire, or Jet Token were there.
 
I was kicking around the idea of jumping on the goldwing and zipping down to Sanford to check it out but now I'm now sure. The 10 yr old in me says go go go look at shiny planes ... the old fogey in me says screw it and stay home and have a cigar lol. I certainly cant afford any of the new planes so maybe I would just be torturing myself.
 
I've heard back from an organizer saying wx in FL likely kept some folks from coming. Bell for sure was mentioned.
There were shiny Diamonds and Cirrus, a single from Tecnam, and a larger plane I think of as a propjet (but no knowledge of such)
 
the similar small LSA show in Deland FL a couple months ago was similar. Barely anyone there.....vendors or attendees. I saw a couple interesting things but mostly I was disappointed. Not worth the 3+ hour round trip drive
 
I go to "The Elite" thing up here by NYC. Even if it's Cirrus, Beechcraft, Piper and Cub Crafters there's other stuff. Think all the fancy sports cars i can't afford plus the fancy RV with helicopter landing pads I also can't afford, pianos I can't afford, and vacation getaways that I can't afford..
 
Osh or sun n fun if you want to see most of the aircraft that interest you,both certified and experimental.
 
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