World record holder and five-time NASA space shuttle pilot Robert “Hoot” Gibson is one of the high-profile speakers scheduled to attend the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ 14th annual AMA Expo Jan. 6-8, 2012, at the Ontario Convention Center in California.
The NASA DROID (Dryden Remotely Operated Integrated Drone) and a 30-foot scale model of the Hughes XF-11 will be on display, along with row upon row of exhibits from more than 120 vendors and organizations, including Black Sheep Squadron, which will run the Education Resource Area; and the Southern California Rocket Association, which will operate the Rocket Make-n-Take area.
A “Swap Shop” section of the show will be set up for hobbyists to display their seasoned and collectible items either for sale or trade.
Scheduled speakers include Gibson; model aeronautics industry writer and competitor Don Landis; and regional aerobatic competition gold medalist Skip Stewart.
“Model airplane enthusiasts from across the nation will be coming to this event,” said Bob Brown, general manager and CEO of the Ontario Convention Center. “If you’ve ever wondered about model aeronautics, this is the place to come to learn more.”
The event is expected to generate more than $1 million in travel and tourism dollars to the region, Brown said.
For more information: AMAExpo.com, ModelAircraft.org
