â??This was definitely the best event so far,â?? said EAA Senior Vice President Bob Warner, who made two well-attended presentations. â??Thatâ??s a result of the continued evolution of not only the industry, but of the events themselves, by sheer repetition, learning how to do things better. Weâ??re looking forward to the next phase of events.â??

Along with Warner, EAA Sport Pilot Team representatives Ron Wagner and Dan Johnson also spoke at well-attended presentations. Throughout the day, EAA helped issue 60 FAA sport pilot student pilot certificates. Manufacturers reported brisk activity, including aircraft sales and even more potential sales opportunities. EAA chapters 228, 538, and 1217 provided volunteers to help run the event, along with several CAF volunteers.

â??This was our sixth event and every one got better, stronger,â?? Johnson said. â??Many of the manufacturers made a point of telling me that this was the best yet.â??

Participating manufacturers included:

• RANS S-7S Courier (2 aircraft)
• RANS S-6ES Coyote
• Evektor Sportstar
• Czech Aircraft Works Parrot
• Fantasy Air USA Allegro 2000 (2 aircraft)
• Jihlaven Kappa KP-5
• TL Sport StingSport (2 aircraft)
• Gryfair/FlyItalia Sport Rider
• Iniziative Industriali Italiane Sky Arrow 600 Sport
• Flight Design CT
• American Legend Aircraft Legend Cub
• AMD Zodiac 601 XL
• Higher Class Aviation Super Hornet
• Quad City Challenger (2 aircraft)

â??This shows that theyâ??re bringing new people into aviation and not at the expense of their other operations,â?? Wagner said. â??That represents one of the intended consequences of sport pilot/light-sport aircraft: making flying more affordable and practical by lowering the cost and time barriers.â??