Wonderful, not-too-humid weather greeted AirVenture participants today, with many of the previously flooded/swamped parking spaces (aircraft and cars) drying into usefulness. The overall mood of the exhibitors was surprisingly upbeat considering the economy in general and the cst of fuel (a bit issue for pilots) specifically.
Over the years, as AirVenture turns more corporate and big-iron, the press conferences move further up the week, until Monday is totally full, top to bottom. Tomorrow (Monday), some of the highlights include Garmin (said to announce the G600 low-cost EFIS is back on track and new database management software, but no serious new hardware we’re aware of), Lycoming (to show a new LSA engine loosely based on the O-235 [with fuel injection] and pending certification of a FADEC of its own), Lancair and Avidyne.
But the one I’m eager to attend is the 1pm seminar discussion by the FAA of the proposed changes to the 51% rules, to take place in Pavillion 9. I expect that to be a standing-room-only event.
Look for coverage of these introductions and discussions as soon as we can get back to a computer.
