November 5-7 2009 at Tampa

Ready for departure from CDW Thursday morning. I flew the first leg down to Reidsville, GA, and Andy the second into Tampa. We reversed this on the way back.

Outside the Marriott hotel.

Tampa Convention Center.

Cessna had a turbo Skylane parked out front. It was towed in from TPF late at night with a police escort.

Yours truly. Yes, that is a Centurion logo on the shirt!

Mock up of the Cirrus Vision jet. It is very roomy inside. In fact it makes the Diamond D Jet's interior look like that of a Cessna 172! Very impressive.

We spent quite a bit of time at the GAMI booth.

Also spent much time here looking at the Av8or Ace and the forthcoming KSN 770, what I like to call the "Garmin 530 killer".

Bendix King KFD 840 PFD. A little rich for our wallets.

Example of plumbing and installation of a TKS system. $45K installed price for a Cessna 210.

AOPA literally had a TV production studio set up on the floor.

Lycoming's latest while Andy talks to a rep.

Tony Scarpelli flew in with his turbo Comanche. I never thought I'd see him eating a salad!

Plenty of room to sit and relax on the convention floor owing to the lack of exhibitors this year!

Cessna Mustang front office...

...and board room.

The Mustang is a pretty good-sized jet. Bigger than the Eclipse.

Cessna Caravan all opened up.

Pilatus PC12.

TBM 850 instrument panel.

All the "stuff" is there, but this cockpit is still far from completion.

You guessed it!

The Beech, er... Cirrus Vision jet!

I guess red is a popular color for Cirrus this year.

No doubt what this is!

The Piper Jet has a rather commanding ramp presence.

The Lancair Evolution (piston version). Now, if only they had this available as a certified aircraft.

Perhaps the world's finest Piper PA 32, complete with Avidyne Release 9 avionics and a an interior to die for.

The Nexair Saratoga. This plane is literally better than new and can be had for about $400K.

Movie star.

One of several ballrooms at AOPA's saturday night theme party. This was the 50's room.

Andy and Tony along with Elizabeth and Melissa from AOPA.

Could you get all these guys in a Cessna 210? Well, if you can, the plane will carry them! Tony, Noel, Andy and Fred. Fred is a retired Airbus captain.

Noel flies a Piper Dakota, and flew down with Andy and I in the 210.

Sunday. TPF clears out, and I caught the Piper Jet on its takeoff roll from RW3.

Off to our fuel stop at Barnwell, SC.

Passing Ocala, FL. To conserve fuel we were running at about 65% power (26" and 2300 RPM).

I see you!

At beautiful Barnwell regional airport loading up with cheap fuel under warm, sunny skies.

Night over Virginia and Otto is doing a good job for us.