ANN Presents the Top News Making Headlines at the AOPA Summit 2009
November 5th through November 7th, an international assembly of over 7,500 aviation enthusiasts and industry leaders convened in Tampa, Florida, for the inaugural “AOPA Summit.” Visitors attended a multitude of forums, informational sessions, and a host of booths set up within the Tampa Convention Center. Vendors displayed their latest in general aviation technology including such products as avionics panels and audio setups. Attendees also had the opportunity to check out the newest aircraft models at the nearby Peter O’Knight Airport where they could tour a wide-array of company displays and participate in activities at AOPA’s Airportfest.
Technology was the primary headliner this year with several key industry players introducing either upgrades or new products. Avidyne unveiled both the DFC90 (the company’s new attitude-based Digital Flight Control System) and the EX600 Multi-Function Display (MFD) featuring an all-new 5.8in screen and Map Panning feature. Avidyne wasn’t the only avionics company to provide an update for attendees; Aspen Avionics announced the release of its Evolution 2.0 software upgrade. In addition, PS Engineering premiered their latest in audio panel design and configuration with the PMA6000B, a smaller and lighter version than its predecessor, the PMA6000.
Two manufacturers also announced significant technology upgrades during the AOPA Summit. Cirrus revealed that Avidyne’s Release 9 will be available as a factory option on new SR20 and SR22 aircraft, while Hawker Beechcraft introduced the availability of Forward Vision’s EVS-100 and EVS-600 systems for both the Baron and Bonanza models. The biggest manufacturer news, however, came from the officials at Cessna who reported an increase in piston aircraft sales over the past two months, a spike that could signal a welcome return of consumer confidence in the aviation market.
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