Courtesy Oz Flying & the Yaffa today - 
Quote:MTF...P2AOPA's new bus will seat 30 people and will have flight simulator stations installed in the rear. (AOPA Australia)
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia (AOPA Australia) has launched a Tour Coach and Mobile Simulator Centre to give them a larger presence at air shows and fly-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 flight studio containing X-Plane flight simulators.The studio will also double as an aviation education and multi media centre.
According to AOPA Australia CEO Ben Morgan, the new coach is part of a plan to bring the thrill of flight 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 $30,000 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, flying schools and aviation businesses to create signature AOPA Australia events that gift youth their first flight experience, whilst encouraging them 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 Australia's Tour Coach and Mobile Simulation Centre is slated to appear at the SAAA hangar at Airventure Australia at Narromine 19-21 October 2017.
Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...b6Yh1G5.99