Australian Flying — November-December 2017

15

The Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association
of Australia (AOPA
Australia) has launched a
Tour Coach and Mobile
Simulator Centre to boost
its presence at air shows and
f ly-ins around Australia.
The front section of the
coach will be configured as
a 30-seat transporter, with
the back half dedicated
to a digital f light studio
containing X-Plane f light
simulators. The studio
will also double as an
aviation education and
multimedia centre.
According to AOPA
Australia CEO Ben
Morgan, the new coach is
part of a plan to bring the
thrill of f light to young
aspiring aviators.
“I think all aircraft
owners and pilots would
agree that more needs
to be done to encourage
youth involvement in
general aviation, if we
are to see our industry
revitalised,” he told
Australian Flying.

“Everywhere I have

traveled in the past year,

members and industry

supporters have all called

on AOPA Australia to

take a lead role in meeting

the above challenge, to

which our board agrees.

“The addition of the

coach will also enable the

association to reach out

into the broader aviation

community, traveling to

locations that we would

otherwise be unable to

get to.”

The luggage space

underneath will be used to

carry AOPA’s exhibition

equipment, including

merchandise, tables, chairs,

pop-up marquees, cafe

modules, BBQ, catering

equipment and food/

beverage stores. This will

enable exhibition staff and

all the stand fittings and

furniture to be transported

together more easily.

AOPA’s tour bus is

a result of a $30,

donation and challenge

last year from aviation

identity Dick Smith

to develop a powerful

initiative to encourage

young people to get

involved in aviation.

“Our response to

this challenge has been

the development of our

Mobile Simulator Centre

and Junior Pilots Cessna

152s,” Morgan explained.

“Both assets will work

in partnership with aero

clubs, f lying schools and

aviation businesses to

create signature AOPA

Australia events that

give youth their first

flight experience, whilst

encouraging them to start

their flying training.”

Morgan is very aware

of the enormity of the

challenge they are taking

on, and won’t be backward

when it comes to asking

the aviation community to

pitch in and help.

“Whilst the initiative

at this stage has been an

AOPA Australia effort,

we will be calling on

industry businesses and

supporters to get behind

the program through

various sponsorship

opportunities,” he said.

“Already we have been

fortunate to receive

support from the Sport

Aircraft Association

of Australia, who have

come on board to help

promote and drive the

initiative. We’re also in

talks with a number of

aircraft manufacturers and

industry businesses.

“Of course, I would

encourage industry

supporters who would like

to help our association

to reach out and make

contact with us. Our view

is that we are stronger

working together.”

AOPA launches

mobile simulator

AIRVAN

10

PG 14

US GA

REGS

P

HALL OF

FA ME

P

Coach aims

to attract new

young flyers.

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AOPA’s new tour coach will take

aviation to the broader community.