The AVSIM 2013 FANCON!

May 3 - 5, 2013

Wichita, Kansas

Last Updated February 27, 2013

AVSIM is pleased to announce the opening of registrations for the 2013 FANCON, which will be held in Wichita, Kansas at the Kansas Aviation Museum (KAM) located adjacent to the McConnell Air Force Base.

Would You Like to Exhibit at the 2013 FACON? Click Here

Just a few of KAM aircraft on display

The Cockpit-Fest U.S.A.

The AVSIM 2013 FANCON this year will be held in conjunction with the Cockpit-Fest U.S.A. exhibition and group event. The Cockpit-Fest is a gathering of cockpit simulator enthusiasts that now also assembles in the U.S., following the traditions set by their UK equivalent group. Attendees to the FANCON will have access to all the events sponsored by the Cockpit-Fest U.S.A. organization, as they will to the AVSIM events at the museum. You can view the official page of the Cockpit-Fest U.S.A.'s announcement of the event here: http://www.kansasaviationmuseum.org/cockpitfest.php.

Images from Last Year's Cockpit-Fest

Some of the entrants on the "Line"

The Hotel

The Hotel for the 2013 FANCON is the HOLIDAY INN WICHITA EAST I-35. The Holiday Inn is one of the closer hotels to the KAM and provides both the space and the amenities that we all will enjoy. AVSIM Management visited the hotel in early December and we were impressed. We are also pretty sure that attendees will enjoy the attached restaurant and bar, as well as the numerous shopping and eating establishments within walking distance of the hotel.

RESERVE A HOTEL ROOM

The Events

Friday Social:

On the evening of May 3rd, a Friday night Social gathering will be held on KAM property. Attendees will be able to tour the museum aircraft and enjoy a meal. A beer will be available, the cost of which is covered in your ticket price. This is one of simulation's greatest opportunities to meet fellow flight sim enthusiasts from around the world. With this year's event, that community is now expanded to include cockpit builders from around the world as well. Mix and mingle with those that have built the dream simulator! Catch the bug and you too can exhibit your cockpit at next year's event!

The Friday Social details: 

• A private gathering with fellow simulation and restoration enthousiasts.
• Includes beer and dinner on the aircraft ramp.
• Exlusive tour of the museum planes and visiting cockpits with their night lighting turned on.
• Visit the museum's historic airport tower for a night view of McConnell AFB and the city.
• DJ provided by Plane Talk Airshows
• Simulators open for flights
• 6:30 to 10PM
• Pre-registration required - Purchase your ticket below.

The Museum & Exhibition:

On both Saturday and Sunday, the 4th and 5th, the KAM and exhibitions will be open to the public. You will be able to tour museum aircraft, the exhibitions within the museum itself and spend the day socializing with your fellow sim enthusiasts. Visit with dozens of exhibitors and see the latest in Simming products and hardware. View the numerous home built cockpits and get that inspiration and know-how to do your own! This will be the largest Flight Simulation event in the U.S.. since 2008. Don't miss it!

The Saturday Night Awards Banquet:

Two sets of awards are presented; the Reader's Choice Awards and the AVSIM Bravo Zulu Awards. The Reader's Choice Awards are given to individuals and companies based upon the nomination and votes of the AVSIM Community Members. It is a prestigious award in that it is based upon the votes of the community itself. The Bravo Zulu Awards are given by the review and editorial staff of AVSIM. These are AVSIM's highest and most prestigious awards and are only given to the very deserving for their work and contributions to the hobby.

The Buffet Menu for the Banquet:

One hour of Hors D'Oeuvres Reception. Starts at 6:30 P.M.Consists of an Italian Trio Tray with Salami, Olives and Cheese.

House Salad, Fresh Baked Bread,
Iced Tea, Water, or Cash Bar,
Grilled Chicken Supreme with Champagne Sauce
Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Demi-Glaze
London Broil with Cabernet Mushroom Sause
Fresh seasonal vegetables
Apple Stuffing
Roasted Red Potatoes
Alternative deserts; Strawberry Cheesecake with Fresh Mint and Chocolate Tart. Coffee served with Deserts.
Cash Bar throughout event

Transportation:

Transportation to and from the hotel to KAM will be provided by AVSIM for $10.00 per person per day. Transportation will be provided Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Transportation wlll be on a first come, first served basis and payment will be in cash at time of the first pick up of the day for the individual.

Air Force One Exhibit

Wichita, Kansas (May 4th and 5th) There will be a public debut for the new John F. Kennedy Air Force One exhibit during the Cockpit-Fest USA and AVSIM simulation convention to be held at the Kansas Aviation Museum, 3350 S. George Washington Blvd., Wichita,KS 67210.

The replica, which is built from a real 45-foot long aircraft fuselage, is currently undergoing conversion in Augusta, Kansas from a President Nixon configuration to the earlier JFK configuration. It will feature the cockpit, an Air Force One communication station, a presidential stateroom, and a bedroom that was specifically designed for the Kennedys.

"It is fitting that the JFK Air force One debuts in Wichita, Kansas, because the Wichita Air Force One program here not only supported SAM 26000 but has provided upgrades and maintenance on every Air Force One since the 1960's," stated Steve Cannaby, president of Nu-Tek Aircraft Instruments which is converting the replica to the JFK configuration.

"Normally the Air Force One support personnel cannot talk about the work they do but this replica will give them the chance to show their friends and family what an Air Force One is like," Cannaby noted, "and this will be the only public appearance of this exhibit while it is still under conversion." In addition to touring the JFK style interior the public will get to see some of the conversion work in progress.

Owned by the American Presidential Experience, in its Nixon configuration this SAM 26000 replica has been used in movies and for exhibit at several Republican Presidential Conventions in addition to being displayed at the Presidential Museum in Branson, MO.

"JFK was the first President to use SAM 26000," stated Kansas Aviation Museum executive director Lon Smith. "Later, Jacqueline Kennedy decided the Presidents' planes needed a special livery and commissioned Ramond Loewy to design a new one. That livery is still used by all Air force One aircraft to this day."

After Cockpit-Fest USA the replica Air Force One will be placed on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas, in remembrance of the JFK assassination and the swearing in of President Lyndon Johnson aboard SAM 26000.

Cockpit-Fest USA will feature multiple privately owned aircraft cockpits and flight simulators that will be transported from across the United States to the Kansas Aviation Museum for one weekend of public display. The AVSIM Simulation Convention will feature International participation of simulator vendors and enthusiasts of flight simulations such as Laminar Research X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The event will be held at the Kansas Aviation Museum on Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Regular admission applies:

Map and Directions:

The Venue at the Kansas Aviation Museum is a short 5.1 mile trip from the Holiday Inn, the event hotel. AVSIM is attempting to arrange local transportation and we will update this item when we have those arrangements made. Click on the map to the right to get details on directions, and other important site information.

Terms and Conditions of Purchase:

Young Simmers: Simulation enthusiasts under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent to both the Friday Social and the Saturday Awards Banquet. Alcohol will be served at both events, and attendees must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol. In no event will AVSIM Inc., the Kansas Aviation Museum, or the Cockpit-Fest U.S.A. be held responsible for unattended children of any age.

Banquet: You must register for the Banquet on Saturday no later than Saturday, April 27th. Registrations for the Banquet will not be accepted after this date.

Refunds:

• Requests for refunds will be considered on a case by case basis.
• No refunds will be provided after April 15th, 2013.
• All refunds granted will be less any fees charged by PayPal or Credit Card issuers.