Cessna has invited the flyers of CFO to bring their Cardinals back home to Wichita for a birthday party!
It's been 40 years since Cessna brought forth the Cardinal: a better flying, better looking and more efficient airplane, an airplane for the future.
Cessna has invited CFO members, the people who understand best what Cessna had in mind with the Cardinal, to bring their birds back to Wichita to join them for a celebration of the big Four-Oh for the Cardinal.
They will be throwing open the doors of the Cessna factory to welcome us, showing
both the facility where our Cardinals were built and the factory where current
Cessna single engine aircraft are manufactured. A number of presentations are
being planned, including information on the past, present and future of Cessna
as well as the history of our aircraft.This will be a unique look inside of Cessna, and a chance to learn a great deal about the company who built our birds and helps us keep them flying. It will be an event not to be missed by any Cardinal owner or Flyer.
Please stand by for registrations, we wish to get pricing and details set before you register. We will let you know in the digest when registration is open.
We will also be attending the Oklahoma Festival of Flight in Alva, OK, and taking a tour of the Plane Plastics factory and facility. While details for this year are still being planned, they have put on a pretty big event in past years, including aerobatics acts and interesting airplanes, so we're looking forward to an interesting tour and some good airplane watching.
Many parts of the program are still coming together, including conversations
with some of the old timers at Cessna who know the Cardinal history, representatives
from McCauley, Lycoming, Garmin and Yingling, and perhaps someone from Cessna
Parts to help us understand how their system works.We will be staying at the Wichita Hilton, located on the airport just a short walk from where we expect to be parking the airplanes.
While the details are still coming together, it is already clear this will be an excellent and entertaining event. Make your plans now to attend and we'll keep you informed as things come together!
Alternative activities for spouses and companions are being explored for those not interested in a full day of airplanes. We could use some ideas from the Wichita area, if anyone is an expert in that part of the world. If you're interested drop Debbie an email and she'll keep you up to date on available adventures.
Agenda:
| Wednesday September 24th | |
| All day | Arrivals at ICT (parking at Yingling Aviation) |
| Registration | |
| Reception in the Control Tower at the Wichita Hilton (on the airport) (light hors d' oeuvres - don't skip dinner!) |
|
| Thursday September 25th | |
| Fly or ride the bus to Independence, KS (IDP) to tour the Cessna single engine factory (Flying will be Better) | |
| Tour of single engine/Mustang factory | |
| Lunch at Cessna | |
| Presentations of interest (Lycoming, Garmin?) may have Cardinal Walkaround. | |
| Return to Wichita by air or bus | |
| Dinner in Wichita: details TBD | |
| Friday September 26th | |
| Bus to Cessna factory in Wichita | |
| Tour of Wichita factory, where the Cardinal was built | |
| Lunch at Cessna | |
| Various presentations (McCauley, Cessna Parts) and/or possible tour of other Cessna facilities | |
| Bus to Wichita Hilton | |
| Banquet at Wichita Hilton | |
| Saturday September 27th | |
| Fly or ride bus to Alva, OK (AVK) for Oklahoma Festival of Flight | |
| Tour of Vantage Plane Plastics | |
| Catch the airshow and Festival of Flight event | |
| Lunch at Alva | |
| May have time for a technical discussion here... | |
| Fly or ride back to Hotel | |
| Dinner (Details TBD) | |
| Sunday September 28th | |
| Goodbyes and departures | |
Costs and details:
The convention costs are still being worked out, but will include meals,
events and event fees. Fees will be set before launching the registration.
The convention cost has in the past ranged from $139 to $199 per person,
lower for children and spouse or
companion.
Hotels
The event will be based at the Wichita Hilton,
on the airport in Wichita. We have a block of rooms set aside for Wednesday
through Saturday at a rate of $90 per night. Book your rooms early if
you plan to attend: call them at 1-800-AIR-HILT (247-4458) or 1-316-945-5272.
Our block will be released on September 5th.
Rental Cars
The
event hotel is easy walking distance from Yingling, where we will all
be arriving, so a car should not be required for this event.
If you wish to rent a car they will be available.. details to follow.
Phone: 847-683-4799