Sebring, FL (November 8, 2011)—The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at Sebring Regional Airport has an exciting addition to the AvBid Auction and two first-time events for January 19-22, 2012. Saturday AvBid Aircraft Auctions will not only auction airplanes but also three exotic vacation packages with proceeds going to charity. A Model Airplane Contest will take place on Sunday as well as a Closing Awards Ceremony with a Sebring Send-Off.
The Light Sport Aviation (LSA) Show features the best of the LSA community, and includes conventional aircraft, kit planes, powered parachutes, trikes, gyros, amphibians, and innovative designs such as electrically powered aircraft—over 150 aircraft on display. Proclaims Jana Filip, Director of U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, “If it exists in the recreational aviation market, it will be presented here at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo this January.”
This year attendees will again have the opportunity to see demonstration flights, attend EAA Educational Forums, and experience new Aviation Technologies.
New events slated for EXPO 2012:
AvBid Aircraft Auctions will feature a live Aircraft Auction Saturday beginning at 11:00am with 40 – 50 aircraft to be auctioned. A live video stream will allow bidders to buy aircraft from any location. One of the vacation packages will be an exotic dream car driving experience including hotel and airfare for two.
Zenith Aircraft Company and UL Power North America, Sponsors of EXPO 2012, have joined forces to offer a new airframe/engine combination resulting in a very modern yet surprisingly affordable and capable light aircraft for sport pilots.
The Aviators, a weekly magazine-style TV series, will be filming a segment during the four-day event.
Seaplane Base at Lake Jackson—another first for Expo…Lake Jackson will be home to the Expo Seaplane Base sponsored by Sea Plane Pilots Association. Splash-In dates are January 20-21, 10:00am-4:00pm. Shuttle service will be provided both days.
EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) will again have a major presence this year and members will receive a discounted ticket every day at the entrance gate.
AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)—Jana Filip, Expo Director, has declared, “All AOPA members will receive a discount at the admission gate Friday and Saturday.” AOPA will also host a Safety Seminar and President Craig Fuller will host a Pilot Meet & Greet.
Two anniversaries—Both Sebring Airport Authority and next-door neighbor, Sebring International Raceway will celebrate their 70th and 60th anniversaries respectively.
Sponsors for the 2012 Expo include Highlands Today, Sebring Regional Airport, The Aviators.tv, Trade-A-Plane, Southeast Aviation Show, Plane & Pilot Magazine, Vacations of Sebring—Majestic Cove, Aviators Hotline, Powered Sport Flying Magazine, Women in Aviation International, Cessna Owner & Pipers Magazines, Coffee News of FLA, Lake Placid Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Sebring, Inn on The Lakes, Progress Energy, AVweb, Atkins, Aviation Digest, Girls with Wings, CubCrafters, Aviation Digest, Avbuyer.com and GA Buyer Europe, Matco Mfg, Remos, Kenilworth Lodge, Chateau Élan, Sebring International Raceway, EAA, Air Orlando Sales, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Company, FATA, US Sport Aircraft & Czech Sport Aircraft, Garmin, Flight Life, Aeroshell, Enterprise, Renegade, EDC, Flight Design USA, AOPA, Alexander Aviation Associates, Inc., AVFUEL Corporation, Economic Development Commission, E.O. Koch Construction, Inc., Heartland National Bank, Highlands Independent Bank, LarsonAllen, PRIA – Brown & Brown, Sebring International Raceway, Swaine & Harris, P.A., Tecnam, and presenting sponsor Zenith Aircraft Company.
U.S. Sport Aviation Expo
The first Light Sport Expo became a reality in 2004 in cooperation with Sebring Regional Airport. This year will mark the eighth annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, FL. Over 180 exhibitors travel from the U.S. and as far away as Africa, China, Romania, New Zealand, Australia, Italy and the Czech Republic to attend this first major aviation event of the year. 30% of attendees come from outside of Florida. The Expo not only brings economic development to the airport and community, but also brings together light sport aircraft leaders, worldwide, to promote their aircraft and associated products to a rapidly growing select group of like-minded professionals in this specialized LSA field. The Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo has become a must-go-to event for light sport aviation enthusiasts and there is no other show like it in the United States.
About Sebring Regional Airport
Sebring Regional Airport (SRA), celebrating its 70th anniversary, is a 2,000-acre commerce park and airport. The airport is a designated Foreign Trade Zone offering many tax benefits and is home to Sebring International Raceway. SRA has successfully hosted the US Sport Aviation Expo for the past seven years.
