Aero Expo 2010

[SpeedbirdXK8]

Hi all - can't see a post Aero Expo 2010 thread. Did anyone go? How was it?

[IO540]

Same as the year before. And the year before that.

[oversteer]

Next year, I'm opening a stall selling binoculars, notebooks and pens.

[Rod1]

Attended last year, and three years before that. I tend to go once every three years as not much changes year on year.

Rod1

[fuzzy6988]

It was my first time there and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Cirrus Vision SF50 was there. A truly impressive plane. As I walked closer to it, I noticed it had no de-ice. When pointing it out to the salesman, he said "Yes. It's only a model. The real one will have de-ice, an engine and seat-belts".

Silly me.

A very good model though! It would certainly be a dream come true to fly it one day.

[The Heff]

A PLB for less than £200.00! I was thrilled.

Didn't bother with any of the seminars this year, although I meant to attend one or two. I think I spent most of the time in the two main hangars on a spending spree.

[smarthawke]

Anyone have a look at the Tecnam P2006T twin? Opinions?

[stickandrudderman]

I went because I'm planning a complete panel refit.
Of the five exhibitors I approached only one gave a good professional pitch.

[RansS9]

GOOD
--chatting to the cessna caravan pilot about differences in pilot technique between it and a 172
--chatting to the glider club representative about taking up gliding, and flights up to 14,000' on their clubs treks upto Scotland
--seeing the TECNAM TWIN

BAD
--getting any sort of deal on a hand held GPS. Previous years had seen price wars between the major pilot equipment suppliers with good deals to be had. Not (in my experience ) this year. A number hadn't brought any to the show and directed me to their respective web sites ?!? On another stand the sales rep hadn't heard of the Garmin Aera........which was obviously understandable given that it was a small volume device from a small niche manufacturer almost unheard of in GA circles

I'm sorry and yes I know that sarcasm is.......................

TIM

[screetch]

I went and I loved it. Since I just got my PPL (still waiting for it to come by post) I had a good look around on Saturday. The weather has been aweseom - almost too warm.

I enjoyed checking out the gyro copters. Although they seem simple I love the concept. My gf really wants to have one but I am working hard to convice here an SEP is the way to go.

I also listend to one of the seminar about transportation in Europe but I did not enjoy that too much as it was purely concentrating on weather. I was hoping to hear about differences in several countries and some stories.

Best part was the SportsCruiser. I just love that plane and could not wait to sit in one. They had some good offers there - if I had only 73K to buy one. This plane is fantastic and the luggage compartments in the wings are just brilliant idea. Sitting in it feels so much better than the C152 I am used to

I also sat in a Stemme motor glider with a tri gear. This is also a fantastic plane but rather expensive. It has got a huge glide ratio and you more or less lie in it.

Norman

[fuzzy6988]

Best part was the SportsCruiser. I just love that plane and could not wait to sit in one

I flew one of these before and was impressed by its exterior and interior design and space, its modern cockpit instruments, and autopilot. Sadly every tiny gust of wind rocked the plane in all directions, and after about 45 minutes I couldn't handle being rocked around anymore...

So while talking to Farnborough Radar : 'Golf Delta Mike <urrgggghhhhhh - think of a colourful yawn>'..... It all went through the microphone and then I realised my PTT switch was still depressed. I released it and there was complete silence over the airwaves for the next 30 seconds.

I became airsick for the first time.

The ride was too hard and uncomfortable.

After recovering on the ground, I jumped back into the old C-152 and flew off again. The ride was so much smoother in comparison.

[Rod1]

“The ride was hard and uncomfortable.”

What speed were you flying at? The SC has a very low wing loading compared with many other moden Rotax machines.

Rod1

[screetch]

yeah I am waiting for lepmar to give me a ride someday in his sportscruiser

did you notice how wide the SC wing actually is compared to other aircraft?

[AndoniP]

Next year, I'm opening a stall selling binoculars, notebooks and pens.

hahaha agreed!

more spotters there than at any airshow and airport i've ever been to. shocking

it was alright, nothing amazing. depends on what you're looking for. not much in the way of GPS devices like the previous poster said.

would love to try that scale spitfire though

[The Heff]

Originally Posted by AndoniP

would love to try that scale spitfire though

Why not try that real one in the hangar? (why is there not a 'drool' smilie?)

[paulc]

Andonip,

what is shocking about having enthusiasts at the event? we paid to get in so have every right to be there. It is a very good event and fills a niche that other trade shows do not cover ie being specifically for GA.

[Mike Cross]

The more enthusiasts the merrier as far as I'm concerned. Spotting may appear a strange pastime to some but it's no dafter than collecting entries in your log book, playing at being airline captains or wasting vast amounts of your dosh getting to a grotty caff to eat a hamburger.

And at least they provide an audience for your steely-eyed display of derring-do!

We all do daft things. One of mine is to spend a lot of money to slide down a mountain at grave risk to life and limb with a pair of planks strapped to my feet.

[fuzzy6988]

What speed were you flying at?

Probably 110 knots or thereabouts.

The more enthusiasts the merrier as far as I'm concerned.

Yes. I also like watching planes go by when stopping over at an airfield for a break. Even taking photos can be an amazing experience. People can be inspired and motivated to learn how to fly, or work in ATC, or maybe doing something else in aviation, after having visited an airfield. It's pretty cool after you've landed when people are smiling at you - including the pretty girls!

I'm curious when some people take out a notebook and write down registrations and types of planes gone by. I don't understand it. I would have thought those details could be found on the CAA website and traffic movements from ATC. Also, people have been arrested around military bases on suspicion of spying.

Then again, I'm very happy that we all like doing different things. How boring the world would be if everyone liked exactly the same thing and nothing of anything else.

[AndoniP]

paul

it was more the disproportionate number of spotters to actual punters. most of them seemed over the age of 60 as well. binoculars through hangar windows, most odd

heff

of course, would love to try the real thing, unfortunately you either have to have the £1m+ to own one or you need to be allowed by the owner to fly it after having shedloads of tailwheel experience

[IO540]

The visible parts of the UK GA scene are actually pretty small. The same few firms chasing the same customers, and due to a general lack of innovation they are showing the same products year after year.

Occassionally you get some new bit of avionics (e.g. the Garmin 500) which everybody in the business jumps on like it was a new gold rush, but the # of owners willing and able to blow £30k-£50k on an installation is pretty small.

Apart from avionics, very little has changed since I got my PPL in 2001. I think GPS is more accepted now, which is a good thing. And the handhelds are much better (G696, and B/King seem to be doing something of similar size).

If there were firms selling aftermarket turbochargers, and other stuff which makes a plane fly better/quicker, that would be something else.