Educate. Innovate. Aviate

For many, the highlight of the Sebring Aviation Expo is being able to see and experience recreational and adventure airplanes. And, with over 50 aircraft brought in by exhibitors, pilots and their families had plenty of opportunities to witness, up-close-and-personal some of the very coolest flying machines in the sport and adventure-flying arena. In line with this year’s theme of “Educate. Innovate. Aviate”, guests of all ages were treated to a wide variety of aviation related activities both on the field and in the education pavilions, as well as the DroneZone. Special static displays of a USAF A-10, a DC3 and an Airbus H125 from the Lee County Mosquito Control District, provided an alternative opportunity for visitors to see aircraft that serve a military and community service mission.

About The A-10 Thunderbolt On Display Lt. Colonel Dale Stark, Commander of the USAF Avon Park Air Force Range flew the A-10 Thunderbolt, AKA “Warthog” in mid day on Friday and the powerful flying machine was on display for all the remainder of the event. Outfitted with a seven-barrel Gatling gun the size of a Volkswagen Beetle in its nose made the A-10 a clear favorite of the youth in attendance. “The students loved seeing it up close,” said Janice Rearick, Sebring Aviation Expo Program Manager.

DroneZone Students had the opportunity to meet pilots from the University of Central Florida Drone Racing Team, the “FPV Knights”, learn racing secrets, watch demonstrations by the Sky Eye Network and play drone games in the DroneZone all four days.

STEM Scholars Program Prize Giveaway Expo created a special contest for the Heartland Educational Consortium this year. The Heartland Educational Consortium consists of six small rural school districts in central Florida, and the STEM Scholars Program is one of the cooperative

services offered to its districts, designed to give Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics opportunities to gifted and talented students from their member high schools.

The Sky Eye Network trio of DroneZone exhibitors donated the STEM Scholars Prize for the 2019 event. The prize, the first-ever mini drone, a DJI SPARK, plus a 1-hour lesson valued at over $500 was awarded to Daniel Hernandez from Clewiston High School in Hendry County, FL.

The trio of contributing businesses was Prestige Aerial Services, Miller Aerial Drones, and Hawks Aerial Photography.

The many students in attendance at the DroneZone for the prize giveaway were all part of the STEM Scholars Program, and students were at the Expo to learn more about STEM-related career fields in their area and to increase their awareness of aviation as a high-skill STEM field of study.

Young Aviators Zone Programs Many programs were created for local youth again this year, which included Zenith Aircraft Company’s “Kids Can Build” and, three, two-hour sessions with over 500 teens and young adults in the Bob Wood Show Center. Inspiring presentations by John and Martha King of King Schools; Barrington Irving of The Flying Classroom; Lyndse Costabile of FunD Av Consulting; Dr. Jocelyn Dunn, NASA Research Scientist; and Paul New of Tennessee Aircraft Services were delivered to youngsters. After the presentations, kids were treated to a pizza lunch and speakers autographed postcards for the students to take home.

Kids Can Build Program Sebastien Heintz, Owner of Zenith Aircraft Company offered the “Kids Can Build” Workshops on Saturday, January 26. This new program for Middle to High School Students was an overwhelming success.

There were four, one-hour builder sessions with small groups working together to create their very own aluminum 3-ring binder using techniques, tools and skills common to those required and employed in real life for the construction of aircraft. This was an introductory experience utilizing the skills and tools used in the airframe, powerplant and manufacture of aircraft and other equipment in the aviation industry. Sebastien Heintz along with Zenith Aircraft owner volunteers and members of the local EAA Chapter 1240 were on hand to instruct the students, one-on-one.

U.S. Sport Aviation Expo The 15th annual Sebring Aviation Expo continued to serve as host to a wide range of sport, adventure and recreational aircraft including kit planes, powered parachutes, trikes, gyros, amphibians, drones and innovative designs such as electrically powered aircraft. The Sebring event continues to be THE place to try, fly, and buy sport category airplanes that make flying fun and accessible. Dates for 2020 are January 22-25. To learn more, visit www.sportaviationexpo.com, twitter.com/USAviationExpo, facebook.com/SportAviationExpo/