AOPA Expo

Yes – it is true that I am a geek on many levels.  Computer geek first and foremost – but aviation geek is very high on the list.  So when an aviation expo comes to Palm Springs – time to fly there and check it out.

This was actually the first real expo of any size I have visited.  I’ve always wanted to go to Oshkosh, but since I’m a member of AOPA anyway, I figured I’d head over there.  So I loaded up the 182, and with a Los Angeles CFI in the right seat and buddy Sam (from the flying club) in the back – we headed out.

Getting in there was interesting – but we got very lucky.  For you pilots out there – the arrival procedure was to fly over KBNG, then over the 10 freeway until reaching the 62, then direct to CONES intersection – and contacting PSP Approach 10 miles west of CONES.  There were SO many planes there, t5hat getting a word in on the frequency was IMPOSSIBLE – even when we were almost over CONES.  But we lucked out – the controller just got fed up with people calling, and said “OK – everyone stop.  I’ll call YOU.  Aircraft at 4700 feet over CONES – what is your callsign?”  It was me!  I told him, and he vectored us to the airport immediately.

The show was cool – saw a LOT of interesting planes (jets and piston), products (avionics, pilot supplies, and other goodies) and people (like my buddy Elliott Sanders, and Patty Wagstaff).  So we split right after that.  Beat the traffic out, got lunch at Typhoon at SMO, and got home by 4pm.

Pretty geeky.  I know.  Too bad.  I dig it.