Thousands of Pilots Descend into Palm Springs for AOPA Summit in October

Palm Springs, CA, 2012-09-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Over 70 airplanes will taxi down the city streets of Palm Springs for a “Parade of Planes” event to kick-off the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Aviation Summit, one of the industry’s largest aviation tradeshow and conventions, scheduled for October 11-13, 2012 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

“Airplanes of all styles and sizes cruise along the palm tree lined streets while residents and visitors wave to them and welcome them to the city,” said James Canfield, Executive Director of the Palm Springs Convention Center. “It truly supports our message that we are an aviation-friendly city for business and leisure travel.”

The “Parade of Planes” is a one-mile route on city streets and will take place on October 10, 2012 beginning at 10 a.m. from the Palm Springs International Airport and ending at the Palm Springs Convention Center where the aircraft will be on display outside and inside the venue for three days.  On the last day of the summit, planes will parade back to the airport starting at 3 p.m. on October 13.

Thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts will attend AOPA Aviation Summit, a three-day event offering informative seminars, interactive exhibits, a large marketplace featuring the latest gadgets and technologies and opportunities to meet and hear from aviation leaders. In addition, film and TV pilots will be present including stars from Discovery Channel’s Flying Wild Alaska, David Coulier of TV’s Full House and Craig Hosking, one of Hollywood’s most experienced precision pilots, who has been involved in many film and commercials including The Aviator and The Dark Knight.

In addition to the educational programming, conference attendees will experience the Palm Springs Air Museum, which houses one of the country’s largest WWII flyable aircraft, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and off-road jeep tours to the San Andreas Fault.

“Palm Springs is a popular pilot getaway because of its good weather and accessibility,” said Andrea Berry, AOPA Director of Outreach and Events. “We are happy to be back in Palm Springs and know that our members will have an unforgettable experience. It truly is like no place else.”

Registration is available for the AOPA Aviation Summit and open to active pilots, those who want to get back into flying, and anyone interested in learning to fly. For registration and event details, go to www.aopa.org/summit.

Palm Springs is an attractive getaway for aviators due to its year-round sunshine, blue skies and stunning mountain backdrops, and its aerial views of swimming pools and golf courses dotting the desert landscape. The Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is located one mile from downtown Palm Springs and the Convention Center. There are FBO’s available to visiting pilots – Atlantic Aviation, Signature Flight Support, and Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM) in nearby Thermal. For information about visiting Palm Springs, go to www.VisitPalmSprings.com or call the Palm Springs Visitors Center at 760-778-8418.

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