EAA programs were in the spotlight at the newly relocated and expanded Academy of Model Aeronautics Expo West, which was held last week in Pomona, California. More than 5,000 attendees came to the event to see new products from 100 exhibitors, take part in the annual RC swap meet, test drive new RC cars and trucks, and see the all-new outdoor flying area that featured RC competitions and even night flying during the event. Rick Larsen, vice president of communities and member programs; Sean Elliott, vice president of advocacy and safety; and Kyle Ludwick, partnership development manager, represented EAA headquarters and hosted an EAA display. The EAA staff spoke with many EAA members at the show, and welcomed new members to the organization that joined EAA at the event.
One highlight of the show was the inclusion of an EAA Young Eagles rally, hosted by EAA Chapter 96, held at nearby Brackett Field (KPOC). Thank you to all of the volunteer pilots that took part and to Dennis Lord, EAA 9008238, for coordinating the rally alongside the outdoor RC flying for the AMA.
The EAA staff members also met with AMA leadership to discuss the partnership between the two organizations, future programming, and the inclusion of modeling at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019.
EAA will have an expanded presence at AMA Expo East, to be held February 22-24, 2019, in Secaucus, New Jersey.