This is the ABS marquee event.  Registrations are now open for the BPPP in Cowra from 21-24 March 2024. Please read the following carefully as there are a few changes from previous years.  Below is a summary of the key features of the BPPP - for more detail, see BPPP program

Presentations and Activities
For most attendees, plan to arrive in Cowra on Thursday afternoon 21 March and to leave Sunday lunchtime 24 March - first time attendees will need to be in time for Edgar's 4.00pm presentation.  This year we are again welcoming Tom Turner back in person for Ground School presentations on the Saturday. On the Friday there will be Zoom Presentations from Scott Purdue and Bob Ripley from the States as well as local presentations from Garmin, Dynon, CASA and Avplan. 

The highly-valued Rob Kerr Flying Instructional Programme will be again available with dedicated Beechcraft instructors for a three-hour session. As always, this is a 3-hour program for you in your aircraft with a Beech specialist instructor, including briefing, flying manoeuvres and debrief.  It does not constitute a flight test, BFR or the like. 

The “Beechcraft Maintenance Reviews” (previously known as “Service Clinics”) will again be available to provide the opportunity for you to have an independent Beechcraft-specialist LAME inspect your aircraft and provide a report on it against a detailed ABS checklist.  We have reduced the cost of these inspections for this BPPP to further encourage members to utilise this great service.  No maintenance is performed, and it does not constitute a 100 hourly or any other required inspection.  

Following the successful Open Hangar Workshop at the previous BPPP, we intend to repeat the activity. This involves aircraft and tables spaced around the hangar providing an informal opportunity for participants to open discussions with relevant Subject Matter Experts, LAMEs and equipment providers on a range of subjects such as avionics (Garmin and Dynon representatives on upgrade options/combinations and installations) as well as aircraft upgrades (Speed Brakes, Electronic Ignition, Exhaust Systems, Engine Cooling) and issues relating to ageing aircraft.  Pilots can clarify Part 1 of Schedule 8 – the Pilot Maintenance Schedule – that provides guidance for pilots and Part 66 licence holders on what is allowed and how to record and clear maintenance requirements on the Maintenance Release (MR), which is a permanent part of the Aircraft Log Book and needs to be entered correctly. There will also be an AvPlan Helpdesk. 

For first time attendees, we will again include a dedicated session for you, also included in this price, on Thursday night for you on Beechcraft idiosyncrasies and getting the most out of the BPPP.

It is intended to send out the proposed detailed program early December.

Accompanying persons social program: For accompanying persons, a social program has been organised that includes Thursday welcome BBQ, Friday - Visit to Japanese Gardens for Bonsai workshop, travel to Quarry restaurant for lunch and wine-tasting; Saturday - tour of the Glen Donald Olive Estate, located at Bumbaldry (a 30-minute drive from Cowra) from 10am till 3pm with lunch.  Cost $190.

Cost and booking

The basic cost for all registrants is $740, but with a $100 discount for registrations before 15 January 2024.  This basic registration cost includes ground school, ABS minibus transportation, Thursday night barbecue,  as well as breakfast, morning & afternoon teas and lunch on the Friday and Saturday (ie, about half the cost of similar US programmes). The flying program is $320 and the Service Clinic $240.

An additional highlight this year will be a fund-raising dinner at the airport on the Saturday night which will be fully catered for by local well known celebrity Chef James Vidlich at $110 per head (plus drinks). 

Accommodation must be organised directly by attendees. We highly recommend you do this now with one of the hotels identified by the ABS which have been reserved by the Cowra Visitor Information Centre office (02 6342 4333 or info@cowratourism.com.au)  You should contact your preferred hotel directly from the 4 below and request a room reserved for the ABS (in order most expensive to cheapest): 
1.    Cowra Services Club (https://cowraservicesclubmotel.com.au/) 
2.    Aalana Motor Inn (https://www.aalanamotorinn.com.au/ContactUs.html) or 
3.    Breakout Motel (http://www.breakoutmotel.com.au/rooms-rates.html)
4.    Cowra Crest motel (https://www.cowracrestmotel.com.au/book-now/). 

You may of course choose to stay somewhere else but be aware that the ABS-provided bus transport to the airport may not be able to collect you to get to and from the airport. 

So, come to Cowra and share your Beechcraft stories, adventures, misfortunes and experiences and learn from others.  Gain a better understanding of your “Cadillac of the skies” while enjoying the company of like-minded friends.  

To participate, purchase tickets for the components you wish to participate by clicking on BPPP2024.  And then contact your preferred hotel from the list above to book your accommodation now as there is another event on in Cowra that weekend and so accommodation may run out.  We will need to close registrations at about 50 attendees, given accommodation and facility limitations.