For over three decades the Washington Aviation Association has been pleased to present the Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup, Washington.
This event has grown to over 75 hours of safety seminars and 122,000 sf of aviation displays with an annual attendance of over 10,000!
This event is an opportunity to support the Northwest aviation industry, share ideas, learn new skills, be a safer pilot and create relationships with businesses, aircraft owners, and pilots.
PRELIMINARY 2025 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY:
Philip Mandel, writer, pilot, speaker, CFI
8:00 AM Room C | Founders Aircraft Battery Technology 2025
Dave Vega, Western Technical Sales Manager, Cocorde Battery Corporation (MAINTENANCE)
9:00 AM | General Aviation Muffler Systems, An "Exhaustive" Overview James Shafrer, Power Flow Systems, Inc (MAINTENANCE)
9:30 AM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
Pilot Seminar: Checklists: So Basic Yet So Misused Philip Mandel., speaker, commercial, instrument, CFI
Checklist, schmecklist, what’s the big deal? Read, Execute, Move On. Not so fast, grasshopper. Accident data reveals that during the period 1983-1993, some 279 aircraft accidents occurred in which a checklist was improperly used or not used at all. A review of NASA ASRS checklist-related reports for 2003 suggests that many of the same errors identified by the FAA and NTSB continue to be reported. Let’s do better!
9:30 AM | Getting the Most out of ATC
Richard Kennington, Air Traffic Controller and Jonathan “JJ” Greenway
You pay for the service, why not use it to your advantage? GA pilots often avoid utilizing ATC for many reasons and sometimes it is to their own detriment. How can you operate more efficiently in controlled airspace and avoid potential problems?
9:30 AM | Introduction to Aviation Careers John Swedburg, Big Bend An engaging journey for students, parents and “new to aviation” participants through an overview of how to get from point A to point B,C, D - no matter what your aviation dreams are! Hear first hand from folks involved in the industry and learn their “how I got there” stories. Attendees will leave this session with many questions answered and many more to ask. This session will give the resources to seek the right answers to design a path that is best for your goals. (career)
9:30 AM | Seaplanes 101 Steve McCaughey, Seaplane Pilots
Condensed ground school to prepare you to begin your seaplane rating.
9:30 AM | Latest & Greatest from Garmin Wayne McGhee, Garmin International
10:15 AM | V-Band Couplings, Exhaust, Turbochargers and More
Paul Gryko, Regional Sales Manager- Canada / NW United States, Hartzell Aerospace (MAINTENANCE)
10:30 AM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
Mastering Your New Avionics: Techniques to help you learn and stay ahead of glass and hybrid panels.
Pilot Seminar: Bruce Williams, pilot, speaker, CFI, bruceair.com
10:30 AM | Flying with Angel Flight West
Ricardo Lagos & Trevor Moody, Command Pilots, Angel Flight West
Volunteer pilots with Angel Flight West provide free transport for people in need across the western twelve states including Alaska and Hawaii. The Pacific Northwest is a particularly busy region for Angel Flight West in part due to major healthcare facilities in Seattle. Approximately 1000 missions are flown each year in Washington state alone. In this seminar you will learn what it’s like to fly with Angel Flight West, how to sign up for missions and how it will make you a better pilot!
10:30 AM | Pilot VFR Refresher Workshop (until 1:30 PM)
Curt Scott, Scott Consulting/Scott Aviation, pilot, former Professor of Aviation, Green River College
Feeling like your flying skills could use a refresher? Veteran pilot, Curt Scott will help you brush off the dust! With over 5000 hours teaching flying and flying in the Northwest, Curt’s fast-paced dynamic presentation on VFR flying basics covers weather, charts, airport approach, landing, checklists and much more to make you a more confident pilot. Scott has 30 plus years working in Aviation, with special focus on developing and delivering education programs covering Operations, Logistics, Planning, Reorganization and Training.
Limited seating in this VFR Pilot refresher clinic. There is no additional charge beyond admission costs but we encourage you to register online. registering online will also purchase TWO DAY admission to the event.
11:30 AM | Corrosion Prevention and Control Mark Pearson, Lear Chemical Research Corporation
Technical presentation, covering effective corrosion control of aviation components using thin-film water displacement compounds. Mark Pearson is Technical Support Manager, repairman license since 2009, BA in Business. (MAINTENANCE)
11:45 AM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
Pilot vs Controller: Let’s Settle This Once and For All”
JJ Greenway & Richard Kennington, Air Traffic Controller, Portland Veteran Air Traffic Controller Kennington and airline/corporate/general aviation pilot, Greenway discuss accidents that didn’t happen (but nearly did) in the Pacific Northwest. These two opposite personalities delve into underlying issues that cause misunderstanding between pilots and controllers
11:45 AM |The Immense value of Upset Recovery Training (UPRT)
Michael Kloch, Specialized Aero Works
Mike will discuss what UPRT is, the incredible value gained from this training, provide some accident statistics, upset causes with examples, UPRT value for aircraft builders, and provide some guidelines for maintaining control of your airplane.
11:45 AM | Washington Pilots Association (WPA) General Meeting and Luncheon
11:45 AM | CAREER FOURM| Funding the Dream
Shawn Pratt, Safety in Motion Flight Center
There is a lot of information on how to pay for college, but if you need help with flight school financing or loans, it can be confusing. Don’t let high costs stop you from your goals. There are many options for future pilots, such as federal aid, scholarships, and private loans. Discussion on the importance of the FAFASA deadline, scholarship application timelines, writing a personal statement, and the importance of developing your portfolio; all keys to building a strong scholarship application. You might also consider training programs from some airlines to lower your costs. Explore all your choices to find what fits your budget best. If the expenses seem too high, join a 45-minute session to ask questions and learn about scholarships and helpful tips. DETAILS
1:00 PM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
AOPA Pilot Town Hall Darren Pleasance, AOPA President and CEO
Meet Darren Pleasance, the new president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association. Darren will provide an update on the current trends and issues facing general aviation in the region and across the country, including airport issues, the transition to unleaded fuel, and what a changing political landscape could mean for GA. Open to ALL!
1:00 PM, | Exploring the Fascinating World of Gliding
Brad Pattison, CFI-G/ATP & Marlene Nelson, ATP & Glider Pilot
This presentation will provide an in-depth overview on entry to gliding and why you can become a better pilot by learning to fly gliders. We will highlight key topics including FAA requirements, various glider operations, local clubs and why soaring is such a blast! The sport of gliding combines the art of flying with an understanding of meteorology, making it both a scientific and adventurous pursuit.
1:00 PM | Power Loss at 300 Feet What Went Wrong, What Went Right | Philip Mandel
Philip Mandel CFI and his primary student experienced significant power loss at 300 feet AGL over the city of Vancouver WA off Pearson Field (KVUO) in April 2019. With the help of dashcam video that captured the event, Philip will share lessons learned from the scariest two minutes of his life. He says he did more things wrong than right yet still managed to nurse the Beech Musketeer back to the field and land opposite direction without bending anything.
1:00 PM | Career Panel: Overview of job opportunities in aviation
Jeff Slakey, Moderator
In addition to commercial airlines, various other entities such as corporations, charitable organizations, fire fighting services, medical transport services, bush pilots, tourism sectors, and numerous government agencies all rely on the expertise of skilled pilots and passionate aviation enthusiasts to function in their respective roles. In our efforts to provide deeper insights, we’ve reached out to our exhibitors to gather a comprehensive overview of career perspectives. We asked them to share their stories and insights regarding how they navigated their unique paths to achieve success in the aviation industry. Bring your questions and prepare to engage in stimulating discussions!
1:30 PM | Fuel Cells and Components in Unleaded Fuel Kurt Hartwig, Eagle Fuel Cells (MAINTENANCE)
Keynote Speaker:
JOLIE LUCAS
Psychotherapist, aviation writer, lecturer, and pilot
2:15 PM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
INTO THE ALLIGATOR’S MOUTH
Psychology of Personal Flight Minimums
Jolie Lucas
Learn about the psychology of decision-making and developing personal guidelines for your flying. Lucas created safety seminar after interviewing thirteen pilots from 250 hours to 25,000 hours, reviewing how they developed personal flight guides in the airplane. This fast paced, multi-media presentationincludes door prizes from Lightspeed Aviation, King Schools, LIFT Aviation, Pilot Safety.Org, Avemco, METAR Maps, and Flying Eyes Optics. Come join the discussion and add a level of comfort and safety to your flying.
Jolie Lucas learned to fly in the Pacific Northwest and now makes her home on the Central Coast of California with her mini-Golden, Mooney. Jolie is a Mooney owner, licensed psychotherapist, and instrument-rated commercial pilot. Jolie is a nationally-known aviation speaker, educator, and aviation writer. Jolie has been a practicing licensed psychotherapist for 33 years. She co-founded Right Seat Ready! companion safety seminar and founded Pilot Plus One weekend safety seminar. She is the Vice President of the California Pilots Association. She is the 2010 AOPA Joseph Crotti Award recipient for GA Advocacy.
2:15 PM | Military Operations and the Civilian Aviator
The US Air Force’s Midair Collision Avoidance (MACA) Program is designed to actively engage with and acquaint the local flying public that use the local airspace with configurations, speeds, and altitudes of routine military operations in the vicinity. The briefing will provide a short description of the Boeing C-17 and McChord Field’s various missions, as well as an overview of our airspace, training routes, patterns, and rounded out with discussions on avoiding midair collisions.
2:15 PM | Saving Special Places Bill McGlynn, Recreational Aviation Foundation
Now in its 22nd year, the nonprofit Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) preserves, improves and creates airstrips for recreational access. Learn about the RAF's recent efforts to preserve special places across the U.S., including work being done locally to reopen Cypress Island airstrip. Bill McGlynn has been a part of the RAF since 2010 and President since 2018. He retired from a career in the computer industry in 2013, where he worked for Hewlett-Packard for 24 years. He became a pilot in 1995 and currently flies a backcountry 182. He and his wife Julie live in Leavenworth, Washington where they enjoy being near their grandkids.
2:15 PM | How YOU can fly hundreds of miles - with no engine!
Noel Wade, Seattle Glider Council (50 minutes)
Glider pilots regularly stay aloft for several hours and cover hundreds of miles – all without an engine! Come see how regular everyday pilots achieve these exhilarating feats. This presentation will show you how we use the atmosphere to soar, why we do it, and how fun & rewarding it is to fly gliders cross-country! Noel Wade is a highly experienced glider pilot and teacher who’s set over a dozen aviation records, competed at the National & International level, and enjoys mentoring other pilots.
2:15 PM | Flight Testing Your Home Built/Kit Airplane | Tony Paradis, Paradis Aviation LLC
The important things to consider as the builder approaches the end of building the airplane and begins the transition to the first flight test and beyond. Tony is an experienced test pilot and retired USAF mechanic with an A&P and IA. Tony is a graduate of The National Test Pilot School Intro to Fixed Wing Performance and Handling Qualities short course and Intro to Systems Testing short course.
2:30 PM | Troubleshooting and Maintaining RSA Fuel Injection Systems and MSA Carburetors Alan Jesmer, Tempest Aero Group (MAINTENANCE)
3:30 PM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
It’s never a boring day at JFK Tower Tips & Tricks for VFR Ops at Busy Airports
Samantha Karmaniolos, Supervisor JFK Tower
Have you ever been intrigued by the operations of some of the world’s busiest airports? While most of us may never fly through these high-traffic airspaces, there are valuable lessons we can apply to improve safety and efficiency in the airspace we navigate. In this presentation, participants will hear a description of a typical day at JFK International and leave with techniques to use in all Class B and C airspace.
Samantha’s aviation career began with Delta Airlines in 1996, where she worked as a gate agent for six years. In 2002, she transitioned to the FAA, providing air traffic control at New York Approach. After a brief assignment at Long Island MacArthur Airport, she moved to JFK Tower, where she has worked as both a controller and, since 2010, a supervisor. A passionate language enthusiast, Samantha is fluent in five languages and holds certification as a United Nations translator. Her multilingual abilities, combined with her role at a major international airport, often lead her to hop on a plane at a moment’s notice to explore new corners of the world.
3:30 PM | Ten Ways to be Ten Times Safer
Philip Mandel,, speaker, commercial, instrument, CFI
This seminar will review ten common ways pilots get themselves in trouble and systematically discuss what we can do to mitigate each of those risks. It will make you think, it will make you humble, and it will make you modest.
Mandel had no idea flying could be affordable for someone with an average income, or possible for someone with an IQ under 200 – until he met a pilot, just a “regular guy” with an average job, who flew for fun and owned a Mooney. The very next day, Phil drove to his local flight school and signed up for lessons. The bug bit so deeply that sometimes he went for two or even three flight lessons per day!
That was back in 1981. He earned his Private Pilot certificate, followed by an Instrument rating, Commercial Pilot certificate, CFI, CFI-I, and MEI certificates. Through the years he has owned nine different airplanes. Now a “recovering engineer,” Phil is an independent flight instructor based in the Portland, Oregon area.
3:30 PM | Saving Seconds, Saving Lives: The Future of Emergency Training through Full-Motion Simulation
Brendan O’Mara, GotYourSixAviation.com
Flight simulation offers great potential for improving pilot emergency training beyond standard instrument practice. Often underutilized in flight schools, simulators provide an engaging training experience that is superior to real flying when fully utilized. Simulation challenges pilots, highlighting both their strong points and areas needing improvement, all without the risks of actual in-flight emergencies. In this presentation, Brendan explores the numerous opportunities within this technology, showing how it can be customized for any skill level or situation. He will share knowledge and strategies to make the most of simulation for your ongoing training needs, helping to develop skills and boost confidence. Move past traditional flight training limits—embrace the power of simulation to maximize your piloting abilities.
Brendan O’Mara is an experienced pilot with over 15 years in aviation. He started selling products online in 1994 and launched GotYourSixAviation.com (previously CrazedPilot.com) in 2009 to make and sell affordable aviation products to customers. They also provide products to retailers like Aircraft Spruce, Sporty’s, and Spencer Aircraft. Visit Booth #420 or GotYourSixAviation.com to see their offerings.
3:30 PM | It’s Time to Write your Story!
Karlene Petitt, Retired Delta Captain
You’ve lived a life worth sharing, now it’s time to put your adventures into words. Aviation author, Karlene Petitt is a retired airline captain who holds eight type ratings and multiple degrees to include a PhD. She has written children’s books, motivation/inspiration, a series of aviation thrillers based on more truth than fiction and has authored non-fiction works to include aviation safety and a legal book. As a student of writing and publishing, she will share her knowledge and experiences, as well as answer all your questions on how to start, what to write, how to put your story on paper, distinguish the difference between genres, and answer your publishing questions. Writing is the best therapy for whatever haunts you and leaves a legacy to your life. It’s time to start. You will also learn how to win a Mitsubishi Spider Eclipse in her giveaway.
Karlene Petitt is an international airline pilot, retired Delta Captain, author, pilot advocate and aviation safety subject matter expert, who lives in Seattle Washington with her husband. She holds two masters degrees, and a PHD in Aviation Safety from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Her research identified concerns with safety culture and pilot training worldwide which is impacting pilot performance and operational safety.
Karlene is type rated: in B747-400, 747-200, 777, 767, 757, 737, 727, A350, A330. Karlene will be speaking Saturday at 3:30 PM but you can catch her all weekend long and get signed copies of her books at Booths #124-125 near the front of the hall.
3:30 PM | North Foyer
Soaring: An optimal and economical gateway to recreational and professional aviation
Brian Hart, Hood River Soaring (50 minutes)
Brian Hart, CFI-G and youth director at Hood River Soaring, along with a number of his young students, will share their experience and passion for soaring as a fun and economical gateway to powered recreational aviation as well as the most effective training for a future career in aviation. You will see how young pilots can solo in gliders as early as age 14, and how including a soaring education is a head start in aviation through developing superior knowledge, maturity, and stick-and-rudder skills. It also will save you thousands of dollars on the way to a commercial power license!
4:30 PM | KEYNOTE STAGE:
Practical importance of Weight and Balance | John Swedburg, Big Bend Community College
When learning to fly, we are taught how to work the charts and the math to figure the weight and balance, but there is far too little information in the primary sources as to why this is important. John emphasizes “when we don’t understand the ‘why’, we then tend to devalue the need for the process. John Swedburg has been an active flight instructor since 1974. In 2014 he retired from full time flight instruction at the commercial pilot flight training program at Big Bend Community College. John continues to share his love of aviation and teaching at various education events including managing and presenting at the Northwest Aviation Career Forum each year. John holds an ATP SMEL, a Commercial SES; CFI-ASME&I, A&IGI; and 107 Remote Pilot. He has over 16,000 hours of instruction given, and has taught in 58 FIRCs in the Seattle area. His aviation career has included responsibilities as a flight instructor, ground instructor, chief flight instructor, Aviation Division Chairman, Airman Certification Representative, Aviation Safety Counselor, and FAASTeam representative.
4:30 PM | HERITAGE
Seattle TRACON Pilot Briefing
Seattle TRACON will be conducting a pilot briefing targeted to the local GA community based at RNT, S50, TIW, BFI, and the smaller airfields in between. The agenda includes a presentation from Controllers covering TRACON airspace, flight-following requests, air traffic hot spots, and Controller workload.
4:30 PM | NORTH FOYER
Flying Idaho
Andrew George, Idaho Aviation Association
Andrew George is the current President of the Idaho Aviation Association as well as a Multi Engine Commercial Instrument Rated Pilot. Amassing 3000 hours of Mountain flying as a private pilot and a Commercial 135 Operator, he has created many experiences worth sharing. Logging hours in everything backcountry from 172, 180, 206, 210, 336, 340 and work in the 505 and PC12 as well. A regular speaker at many aviation events and conferences focusing on the challenges of flying in remote areas of Idaho, George will share with the audience some of the most beautiful places in Idaho and how to get there safely. His presentation will highlight techniques and etiquette that make it a safe and once in a life time adventure every time.
4:30 PM | PIONEER ROOM
Get My Drift? Understanding and Mastering Crosswind Operations
Steve Bateman
When conducting a couple of recent flight reviews, one with an experienced pilot, the other with a first time flight, some serious flaws in airmanship, knowledge and risk management were uncovered that required some focused training to correct. We’ll start by reviewing, on the ground, the ability of the plane and the pilot in order to establish some solid decision-making tools, and will then refine the techniques and control inputs for successful crosswind operations. Seminar includes interactive scenarios to keep you on your decision-making toes.
SUNDAY:
10:15 AM | Introduction to Aviation Careers John Swedburg, Big Bend
An engaging journey for students, parents and “new to aviation” participants through an overview of how to get from point A to point B,C, D - no matter what your aviation dreams are! Hear first hand from folks involved in the industry and learn their “how I got there” stories. Attendees will leave this session with many questions answered and many more to ask. This session will give the resources to seek the right answers to design a path that is best for your goals. (career)
10:15 AM | Its never a boring day at JFK Tower. Tips and Tricks for VFR Ops at busy airports.
Samantha Karmaniolos, Supervisor JFK Tower
Have you ever been intrigued by the operations of some of the world’s busiest airports? While most of us may never fly through these high-traffic airspaces, there are valuable lessons we can apply to improve safety and efficiency in the airspace we navigate. In this presentation, participants will hear a description of a typical day at JFK International and leave with techniques to use in all Class B and C airspace.
Samantha’s aviation career began with Delta Airlines in 1996, where she worked as a gate agent for six years. In 2002, she transitioned to the FAA, providing air traffic control at New York Approach. After a brief assignment at Long Island MacArthur Airport, she moved to JFK Tower, where she has worked as both a controller and, since 2010, a supervisor. A passionate language enthusiast, Samantha is fluent in five languages and holds certification as a United Nations translator. Her multilingual abilities, combined with her role at a major international airport, often lead her to hop on a plane at a moment’s notice to explore new corners of the world.
10:15 AM | Pilot VFR Flying Refresher Workshop Curt Scott, Scott Consulting/Scott Aviation, pilot,
Feeling like your flying skills could use a refresher? Veteran pilot, Curt Scott will help you brush off the dust! With over 5000 hours teaching flying and flying in the Northwest, Curt’s fast-paced dynamic presentation on VFR flying basics covers weather, charts, airport approach, landing, checklists and much more to make you a more confident pilot. Scott has 30 plus years working in Aviation, with special focus on developing and delivering education programs covering Operations, Logistics, Planning, Reorganization and Training. Limited seating in this VFR Pilot refresher clinic. There is no additional charge to attend but we encourage you to register online.
10:15 AM | Positive Rate Gear Up
Steve McCaughey, Seaplane Pilots Association
Flying amphibious seaplanes require pilots to adapt from a land plane approach to gear management to an amphibious seaplane centric set of best practices. This seminar is enlightening most pilots and crucial for those operating or considering operating amphibious seaplanes.
Keynote 10:15 AM | The Art of Flying a Tailwheel Aeroplane, Steve Bateman
Conventional in name only, tailwheel aircraft open up some wonderful new opportunities for pilots who take the time to really understand what makes them different from the nowadays more prevalent nose wheel alternatives. The term “transition training” takes on a new meaning when moving from the relative comfort of your Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee, to something with a wheel or skid on the tail, but don’t let that put you off. Obtaining your tailwheel endorsement and then striving for proficiency will really sharpen your knowledge of aerodynamics, as well as fine-tune your airmanship, so give it a try! Warning: Attending this tailwheel ground school session will change your flying aspirations, for the better!
11:30 AM | Pilot vs Controller: Let’s Settle This Once and For All”
JJ Greenway & Richard Kennington, Air Traffic Controller, Portland Veteran Air Traffic Controller Kennington and airline/corporate/general aviation pilot, Greenway discuss accidents that didn’t happen (but nearly did) in the Pacific Northwest. These two opposite personalities delve into underlying issues that cause misunderstanding between pilots and controllers.
11:30 AM | Non-Towered Airport Operations – Tom Rogers , FAA Safety Team
Much has changed in recent years regarding non-towered airport operations. This presentation will discuss the current regulations and best practices published by the FAA, and review the non-towered pattern, including entries, exits, and right of way. Tom will wrap it up with his suggestions for keeping safe in a busy pattern.
11:30 | Exploring the Fascinating World of Gliding
Brad Pattison, CFI-G/ATP & Marlene Nelson, ATP & Glider Pilot. (50 minutes)
This presentation will provide an in-depth overview on entry to gliding and why you can become a better pilot by learning to fly gliders. We will highlight key topics including FAA requirements, various glider operations, local clubs and why soaring is such a blast! The sport of gliding combines the art of flying with an understanding of meteorology, making it both a scientific and adventurous pursuit.
Keynote 11:30 AM | Sipping Information from the Right Glass: Customizing your panel and EFB displays | Bruce Williams
Modern electronic instruments and EFBs can provide you a wide array of information. This presentation will help you choose where to show key details, avoid duplication of basic data, and suggest how you can rearrange the information for different phases of flight both VFR and IFR.
1:00 PM | INTO THE ALLIGATOR’S MOUTH : Psychology of Personal Flight Minimums
Jolie Lucas
Learn about the psychology of decision-making and developing personal guidelines for your flying. Lucas created safety seminar after interviewing thirteen pilots from 250 hours to 25,000 hours, reviewing how they developed personal flight guides in the airplane. This fast paced, multi-media presentationincludes door prizes from Lightspeed Aviation, King Schools, LIFT Aviation, Pilot Safety.Org, Avemco, METAR Maps, and Flying Eyes Optics. Come join the discussion and add a level of comfort and safety to your flying.
Jolie Lucas learned to fly in the Pacific Northwest and now makes her home on the Central Coast of California with her mini-Golden, Mooney. Jolie is a Mooney owner, licensed psychotherapist, and instrument-rated commercial pilot. Jolie is a nationally-known aviation speaker, educator, and aviation writer. Jolie has been a practicing licensed psychotherapist for 33 years. She co-founded Right Seat Ready! companion safety seminar and founded Pilot Plus One weekend safety seminar. She is the Vice President of the California Pilots Association. She is the 2010 AOPA Joseph Crotti Award recipient for GA Advocacy.
1:00 PM | Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) Michael Kloch, Specialized Aero Works
Mike will discuss what UPRT is, the incredible value gained from this training, provide some accident statistics, upset causes with examples, UPRT value for aircraft builders, and provide some guidelines for maintaining control of your airplane.
1:00 PM | How YOU can fly hundreds of miles - with no engine!
Noel Wade, Seattle Glider Council (50 minutes)
Glider pilots regularly stay aloft for several hours and cover hundreds of miles – all without an engine! Come see how regular everyday pilots achieve these exhilarating feats. This presentation will show you how we use the atmosphere to soar, why we do it, and how fun & rewarding it is to fly gliders cross-country! Noel Wade is a highly experienced glider pilot and teacher who’s set over a dozen aviation records, competed at the National & International level, and enjoys mentoring other pilots
1:00 PM | Pacific NW Mountain Flying Clinic
Shawn Pratt, Safety in Motion Flight Center
Flight planning and operational considerations when flying in and around the mountainous terrain of the Pacific Northwest. This clinic provides high points of mountain flying ground course, addressing mountain meteorology, aircraft performance, route selection, and emergency/precautionary landings.
1:00 PM | Seattle TRACON Pilot Briefing – Seattle TRACON Controllers
Seattle TRACON will discuss topics directed to the general aviation community, specifically flight following, traffic calls, initiating and cancelling IFR flight plans, and controller workload.
2:30 PM | Dancing with Gravity: Essential Spin Training Skills Cecilia Aragon
This presentation explores the critical elements of aircraft spin training, combining aerodynamic theory with practical recovery techniques. We’ll examine the physics behind spin development, including the roles of yaw, angle of attack, and asymmetric lift distribution. Participants will learn to identify the four stages of a spin and understand the differences between incipient, accelerated, and flat spins. Through analysis of case studies, we’ll demonstrate proven recovery methods and common pitfalls to avoid. Special emphasis will be placed on recognition and prevention strategies, ensuring pilots develop both the knowledge and confidence to handle these challenging flight regimes safely.
Cecilia Aragon combines her passions for flying and teaching as a CFI specializing in aerobatic training. After learning to fly in her twenties, she went on to compete in aerobatics and earned a spot on the United States Aerobatic Team. Her experience includes over 6,000 flight hours, with more than 3,000 hours as a CFI. Beyond aviation, Aragon is a Professor at the University of Washington and former NASA researcher focusing on data science. Her book “Flying Free” shares her journey from nervous student pilot to aerobatic instructor, including her experiences helping other pilots develop their skills in upset recovery, spin training, and aerobatic flight.
2:30 PM | Getting the Most out of ATC Richard Kennington, Air Traffic Controller
You pay for the service, why not use it to your advantage? General aviation pilots often avoid utilizing ATC for many reasons and sometimes it is to their own detriment. During this presentation, we will explore how you can operate more efficiently in controlled airspace, how to avoid potential problems, and insider knowledge to make ATC less of a mystery.
2:30 PM | Soaring: an optimal and economical gateway to recreational and professional aviation
Brian Hart, Hood River Soaring (50 minutes)
Brian Hart, CFI-G and youth director at Hood River Soaring, along with a number of his young students, will share their experience and passion for soaring as a fun and economical gateway to powered recreational aviation as well as the most effective training for a future career in aviation. You will see how young pilots can solo in gliders as early as age 14, and how including a soaring education is a head start in aviation through developing superior knowledge, maturity, and stick-and-rudder skills. It also will save you thousands of dollars on the way to a commercial power license!
2:30 PM, SUN
The Digital Runway: Marketing Strategies for General Aviation in 2025
Brendan O’Mara, GotYourSixAviation.com
Digital marketing is evolving rapidly, driven by AI advancements and shifting content strategies, impacting flight schools, FBOs, and aviation product and service businesses. In today’s changing digital landscape, aviation business owners must effectively attract and engage pilots and aircraft owners to stay competitive in 2025. This presentation will explore key strategies for leveraging social media, SEO, content marketing, both on and off-page optimization, and paid advertising to drive customer growth. Attendees will gain actionable insights to enhance their online presence and turn digital engagement into real-world sales.
2:30 PM | The Ultimate Off Road Adventure: Flying Seaplanes
Steve McCaughey, Seaplane Pilots Association
Join Steve McCaughey “The Seaplane Guy”, Executive Director of the Seaplane Pilots Association for an informative and entertaining look at the wonderful world of seaplanes. This journey will educate you on how you can expand your horizons flying and enjoying the ultimate off road vehicle; seaplanes.
2:30 PM | Practical importance of Weight and Balance
John Swedburg, Big Bend Community College
When learning to fly, we are taught how to work the charts and the math to figure the weight and balance, but there is far too little information in the primary sources as to why this is important. John emphasizes “when we don’t understand the ‘why’, we then tend to devalue the need for the process
The details
Driving Directions 110 9th Avenue SW Puyallup, WA 98371-0162 | Blue Gate
Hours
SAT, FEB 24, 9AM - -5:30 PM
SUN FEB 25, 10AM - 4PM
Admission $10/door | two day advance pass $15/person