Planned Programs and Speakers
A West Coast Adventure – SWPC Convention 2014
June 22 – 27, 2014
From the NorCal Convention Committee
also published in the Jan-Feb-March issue of the Short Wing Piper News
Currently, eight aviation speakers are planned to address SWPC Members and guests at our Santa Maria Convention. Topics promise a wonderful adventure for all. Presentations will be in the Radisson Hotel and/or on the Ramp. Updated agendas will be available online at the SWPC Website and at registration.
Programs are planned to begin on Sunday afternoon, June 22, and end on Friday Morning, June 27, 2014.
Sunday begins with Young Eagle Flights sponsored by the Lompoc EAA Chapter, coordinated by EAA and SWPC Member Ed Mandibles. This event features the first collaborative educational effort with Short Wing Piper flights and EAA Young Eagles. Participate from 10 am to 2 pm and see how easy it is to coordinate Young Eagles with SWPs. Take this knowledge and effort home with you and get those SWPs out there and flying kids across this great country and please keep score! Collecting data may bring additional grant monies into our Education Foundation and students, too. And your Young Eagle may be back in a few years to help with another SWPC Convention ….
Sunday afternoon presents Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) President, John McKenna, Jr. He and the RAF are devoted to saving airstrips on public and private lands. John plans an overview of RAF’s operations, a progressive status report, and hopes for the future of forgotten airstrips.
Monday holds an exciting and informative afternoon Vendor Presentation & Workshop by Jeppesen regarding “I-Pad Use and Flight Planning Applications.” This workshop promises to challenge even the most fluent of iPad users with the latest aviation Apps available while calming the new user with the ease of introductions. This is a hands-on workshop using their recently announced VFR Flight Planning system. Fun!
Tuesday opens with a 0900 Topic of “Oh S_ _ T, Now What?” Presented by Ed Mandibles, local PA-22 owner/pilot and SWPC NorCal Chapter Member. This topic will cover those moments we have all experienced – at least once. Ed will begin with his Tri-Pacer’s altitude duel with a P3 on long approach to VAFB descending over Lompoc. Your experiences are encouraged for all to listen and learn about those unmentionables that may have happened, hypothetically speaking. Following Ed is the SWPC Tech Committee in Panel format leading Tuesday’s second Program, Hangar Talk. This is your opportunity to bring it on! Your Tech Committee will field your maintenance and repair concerns from one to another as the questions are tossed about and discussion presents a resolve.
Wednesday greets two more Tech Programs: Clyde Smith’s Short Wing Piper Rigging and Jim McCloud’s “How To … with Short Wing Piper Floats.” Clyde will present relative rigging information and then, step out onto the Ramp to give interested attendees an evaluation of their SWP’s rigging. You will come away with Clyde’s “5-minute Inspection” that will assist in your future rigging evaluations. Then, Jim will be sharing his PA-22/20 on Floats experiences and the joy of Splashing puddles. He may have you considering the Float alternative.
Thursday’s first program is planned with Mike Busch, a writer for EAA Sport Aviation. Mike will take us into the magneto world: how to check for acceptable contact, problems and performance expectations. Then, out onto the Ramp we will go to review a hands-on activity for checking magnetos and their readiness to perform. Our evening Banquet guest and Jeppesen sponsored speaker is Brian Shul, former Sled Driver, current professional photographer, and a forever survivor. Buckle up as Brian takes you into the cockpit of the SR-71 and shows you the sights that only astronauts enjoy. His published books will also be available for purchase and signing following his presentation.
Friday requests the pleasure of your company at our breakfast meeting. Evaluating this convention and discussing what you would like to see and experience in Branson MO 2015 is the goal. Your assistance will help your Club to develop our Annual Meetings into what you prefer. We want to see you every year. This is our Reunion. Let us know how we can keep you coming back.
There will be a survey distributed at the Banquet. Please, complete it with your comments and suggestions. On Friday morning we will begin with those results.