(October 21, 2004) -- An interest group comprised of private aircraft owners and pilots begins a three day national trade show in Long Beach on Thursday October 21.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) "Expo 2004" will include over 75 seminars and 500 general aviation industry exhibits (flight gear, aircraft, avionics, etc.) at the LB Convention Center. There's also a static display of dozens of aircraft at LB Airport. (ELB already heard some of these arrive.)

LB residents may also encounter cross-town round-trip shuttles that will take Expo 2004 attendees from the Convention Center to LB Airport's static aircraft display from 9:40 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 9:40 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.

AOPA says Expo 2004 is "forecast to generate nearly $8 million for the city of Long Beach and surrounding area during its three-day run."

An October 21 morning session will be addressed via satellite by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. The Oct. 21 opening luncheon features guest speaker Mike Melvill, pilot of the first private spaceship.

On Oct. 22, the head of the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Adm. David Stone, will meet with general aviation pilots and discuss general aviation security.

AOPA claims more than 400,000 members and says it represents nearly 2/3 of all U.S. pilots. "AOPA is the largest, most influential aviation association in the world. AOPA has achieved its prominent position through effective advocacy, enlightened leadership, technical competence, and hard work," says www.aopa.org,

The group says 28,000 of its 48,000 CA members live within 60 miles of Los Angeles.

AOPA has taken a position opposed to inclusion of housing as part of Boeing Realty's Douglas Park development. "Residential development directly adjacent to an active airport simply is a noncompatible use of land," said AOPA VP of Airports Bill Dunn in a July 2004 release on the group's web site.

Information on AOPA's Expo 2004 can be found at: www.aopa.org/expo/2004.