The Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show is a staple event in the Pacific Northwest, bringing together pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation businesses for a weekend of exhibits, seminars, and conversations about all things flying. This year was my first time attending, and with my Sling TSi build and IFR training in full swing, it couldn’t have come at a better time. The event had a solid mix of vendors, training resources, and expert talks that lined up perfectly with my current aviation goals.

Connecting with Fellow Sling Builders

One of the highlights of the event was spending time with Brian Malcolm (N935WS) and Ben Taves, two fellow Sling TSi builders and pilots. Brian is in the latter stages of his build, preparing to start Phase 1 flight testing in a few months, and aiming to complete the build by early summer. Ben finished his Sling TSi last year at The Airplane Factory and keeps his plane at Harvey Field (S43). They shared a ton of useful tips about the build process and important configuration choices, helping me think through a few decisions for my own plane. It was great to connect with others who have been through the same journey, and we’ll definitely be keeping in touch as my build progresses.

Exploring the Exhibition Hall

The exhibit hall had a diverse mix of airports, flight schools, avionics manufacturers, and aviation suppliers. Some of the highlights included:

• Vertical Power, the makers of the VPX-Pro electronic circuit breaker system I’m installing in my Sling TSi. They’re based in Kirkland, so it was great to meet the people behind the product and discuss integration.
• Dynon Avionics, a local company making glass cockpit avionics for experimental aircraft. While I’m going with Garmin, it was cool to see how their system compares and how they continue to push innovation.
• CEIS Digital Fuel Probe and Sensors, which came highly recommended by Brian. These sensors provide more accurate fuel level readings, and I’m seriously considering them for my build.
• Oasis Scientific, a company specializing in borescopes for aircraft engine inspections. There was a lot of interest in their products at the show, which makes sense given how important borescopes are for diagnosing engine issues like valve wear, carbon buildup, and cylinder damage. Having the right tool for detailed internal inspections can save a lot of time and money when troubleshooting engine performance.

Learning from Expert Talks

I also attended vendor presentations, including Garmin and Beringer, where they discussed new product developments and upcoming improvements. Garmin reinforced my confidence in my avionics choices, and Beringer talk reinforced my perspective that their braking system is still not necessary for my build.

The event also featured a session with local ATC controllers, who provided great insights on improving communication, with examples of good and bad radio calls. Since I’m deep in IFR training, it was valuable to hear directly from controllers about what makes a pilot easier (or harder) to work with.

One of the best talks I attended was from Bruce Williams, who gave a fantastic breakdown of how to brief an approaches properly when flying with glass cockpit avionics. His take on glass vs. hybrid avionics for IFR flying was one of the clearest explanations I’ve heard, and it gave me a few things to think about as I refine my instrument procedures.

Wrapping Up

Between the deep-dive vendor talks, eye-opening ATC sessions, and nerding out over avionics and gear, my first NW Aviation Conference felt like drinking from a firehose—in the best way possible. I walked in expecting to pick up a few tips and check out some cool tech, but I walked out with new connections, new ideas, and a shopping list that’s probably too long for my own good.