John Maxfield mans the EAA Chapter 113 booth.
By Tom Harvey
The 8th Annual Great Lakes International Aviation Conference & Expo was held in Novi, Mich. on Feb. 1 and 2. This year’s expanded show at the Rock Financial Showplace included more than 80,000 square feet of exhibits and interactive displays. The conference succeeded in bringing many aspects of aviation together under one roof, educating attendees about safe flying and good maintenance procedures and encouraging the passion of flying.
More than 90 exhibitors participated in the conference and expo, including Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond Aviation, Flight Design USA, Helicopter Air Specialty Service, Custom Aircraft Refinishing Inc., Wipaire, Sky Harbour Aircraft, the state of Michigan, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and regional Experimental Aircraft Association chapters.
The event included an aviation job fair and seminars for pilots, aircraft owners and builders, airport managers and FBOs. Technical workshops included many aviation subjects sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA and experts from the aviation community. Maintenance program workshops were offered to aviation technicians, pilots and owners. Those wanting to fly hot air balloons attended workshops related to the unique challenges of balloon operation, flight, landings and communications.
Abby Raymond, an aspiring pilot from Western Michigan University, checks out a light-sport aircraft from Flight Design USA.
On Friday night, the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office presented various awards during a dinner and awards ceremony. The General Aviation Awards Program was developed to recognize members of the aviation community for their outstanding service.
Mark Evans, from Traverse City Airport, was named Avionics Technician of the Year for Grand Rapids FAA FSDO District, and Michigan Award, and Brian Eklund was honored as Maintenance Technician of the year for Detroit FAA FSDO District. Two awards were given out for Certified Flight Instructor of the Year, Jerry Delaney from Monroe Airport for Detroit FAA FSDO and Michigan Awards, and Kary Lucas for the Grand Rapids FAA FSDO District award.
L to R: Matt Brinker, Jennifer Forbes and Mary Kay Treirweiler represented the Michigan Department of Aeronautics, Airport Safety & Compliance Division.
Dave Schrader was named Michigan FAAST Team Representative of the Year; Chuck Boldin of Oakland International Airport for Avionics Technician of the Year for FAA Great Lakes Region; and David Mills of BTL based repair station for Maintenance Technician of the Year, FAA Great Lakes Region, and the Michigan Award.
Saturday morning, show management offered a free pancake breakfast. Everyone who attended the breakfast received a special treat with the appearance of the “cook,” Trevor Muir, (also known as “Nut cake”), from Chris Cakes of Michigan. As each pancake was cooked, Muir flipped the pancake off the griddle, into the air and onto the customer’s paper plate, even successfully launching one to a pilot at a table 20 feet away.
Cessna offered a career fair for future pilots and a series of workshops on flight training programs, aircraft leasebacks, aircraft icing and financing your airplane. Pinnacle Airlines offered the opportunity for commercial pilots to fly regional airline aircraft.
Commercial pilot Rick Titsworth is ready to receive his first flying pancake from Trevor Muir at the pancake breakfast.
The Michigan Air Tour, sponsored by the Michigan Aviation Association, invited attendees to participate in Air Tour 2008, scheduled for Sept. 12-14, throughout Michigan.
Women in Aviation, International, also had a booth. This group was formally established in 1994 to encourage women to seek opportunities in aviation. Their 15,000+ membership includes astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers and many others. Another booth related to women in flight offered information the International Women’s Air & Space Museum, located at Burke Lakefront Airport, in Cleveland, Ohio, is a repository of information about women in aviation and space.
L to R: Morrey Wyman, Gail Wyman and Jim Zantop pose in front of the Brighton Airport Association booth.
Several colleges and flight schools were in attendance at the conference, including Florida’s Gulfstream Training Academy, Eastern Michigan University, Jackson Community College, Lansing Community College, Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology, Northwestern Michigan College, Schoolcraft College, Western Michigan University, Benz Aviation Glider Training, University of Michigan Flyers, Lapeer Pilot Center, Hillsdale Aero Inc., Evarts Air, American Wings Academy and Aviation Center Inc.
In closing, Aaron Cook, director of aviation for Northwestern Michigan College, talked about the importance of the event and the need to take the grass-roots effort to the next level.
“This event is truly a group of great aviators looking to learn more and talk flying,” he said. “The enjoyment of sharing our time and our flying experiences with younger pilots and mentoring these pilots is also important to developing this next generation of pilots.”