Hundreds of general aviation enthusiasts are expected for Saturday’s fourth annual Rocky Mountain Aviation Expo at the Fort Collins/Loveland Municipal Airport off Interstate 25 in Loveland.
The expo, held at Front Range Airport near Denver since its inception, is moving this year to Northern Colorado and is expected to be the largest event at the airport since Allegiant Air discontinued its flights from the airport in 2012.
The expo will feature aviation-related vendors, aircraft from around the U.S., the newest light sport aircraft, a variety of experimental aircraft, and classics of general aviation.
Between 200 and 300 general aviation aircraft are expected to fly in for the event, according to organizers.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” said Rick Raesz, president of the Fort Collins/Loveland Pilot’s Association. “It will create national exposure” through the national aviation media and publications for pilots and general aviation enthusiasts. Mark Baker, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, or AOPA, will host a town hall-style meeting in which he will discuss subjects important to general aviation and challenges from government affairs.
Baker represents “the largest general aviation organization in the world, and we are very excited to have him here to talk with our area aviation enthusiasts,” airport manager Jason Licon said. “This will be very important for the airport ... and possibly spark some interest in others who don’t have an aviation background currently.”
Airport management has been working to market the airport to a new carrier since Allegiant abruptly pulled out.
“We’ve never slowed down our pursuit of another carrier,” he said. “It’s been a long process. ... We are doing our best to make sure we get the relevant information about Northern Colorado” to the air carrier decision makers.
“The whole objective of moving it here is to gain an economic foothold for the expansion of the airport and helping general aviation through helping local businesses so it can grow to be the premier Northern Colorado general aviation environment,” said Bob Clancy of Home State Bank and a member of an advisory committee studying the airport. “This is just an appetizer of what is to come.”
The event and parking are free. There will be food, activities and door prizes. Breakfast is available starting at 7 a.m.
Interested?
For a full schedule of events and more information visit www.rmaexpo.org.
Source: http://www.coloradoan.com
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