Illinois Ultralight and Light Plane Symposium

The 45th Annual Ultralight & Light Sport Aviation Safety Symposium

1 conference day, excellent speakers and a chance to visit with your flying friends!

When

February 28th, 2026
Registration starting at 8am


Where

Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) Granite City Campus
1 mile south of I-270 Exit #4 at 4950 Maryville Road, Granite City, IL



There is no reason not to come because this is a

Free Event!

Take a day to learn and get together with flying friends,
it's time to get ready for spring flying!

AeroCareers NFP, EAA Chapter 64, the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, the FAA St. Louis Flight Standards District Office (FSDO,) and the Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council are presenting the 45th Annual Ultralight and Light Sport Aviation Safety Symposium on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Granite City, IL. Admission is FREE and pre-registration is not required. The Symposium will cover a broad range of subjects. Along with the talks, there will be displays representing UL/sport/recreational type aircraft. Anyone representing any item of equipment used in this segment of aviation and interested in displaying such items should contact Bob McDaniel at bob@aerocareers.org.

Vendors

Aviation-related vendors are invited to show their wares at no cost, although donations are welcome. Do you have parts or pilot supplies that you would like to sell? Bring them along and grab a table at the event! There should be room for lots of people.

Key to Good, Safe Fun

The topics featured at the symposium will help keep you safe and give you a chance to learn more about the sport you love. You will also get a chance to learn about new possibilities like drones and powered paragliding!

Wings Credit

If you participate in the FAA Wings program, some of the sessions can be used for Wings credit. Want to learn a little more about the program?

Learn about Wings

The Speakers

Never Stop Learning!

Featuring a diverse group of topics
by aviation experts.

MOSAIC: Important Things You May Have Missed
 by Bob McDaniel, CFI/Retired Airport Director

If my tools could talk-Aircraft Spring Tuneup & Preflight
by Doug Keck, A&P/IA, Pilot

Medical Issues for the Aging Pilot
by Dr. Rich Hehmann, AME/Fixed-wing, helicopter & glider CFI

My Path to Gyros
by Rob McTiernan, Gyro Pilot & John Shadduck, MagniGyro Distributor & CFI

Communicating With a Tower & Oshkosh Traffic Tips
by Rick Balinski, Air Traffic Controller

Camping With Your Plane
by David Warner, Pilot/Ambassador for the Recreational Aviation Foundation

State Aviation Issues
Illinois Division of Aeronautics Flight Safety

FAA Safety Initiatives
St. Louis Flight Standards District Office

Get all your questions answered!

Conference Schedule

packed with high quality content, just for you.

08:00

Registration Opens / Breakfast Available prepared by EAA Chapter 64

08:30 - 08:45

Welcome and Opening Remarks

08:45 - Noon

Presentations

TurbulenceWe live in interesting times. Dan talks about the present and future of ultralight and sport aviation.

12:00 - 12:45

Lunch Break / Lunch Available prepared by EAA Chapter 64

12:45 - 15:00

Presentations

15:00

Prize Drawings & Closing Remarks

Safety Words of Wisdom

You hafta AFTA. (Always Fly The Airplane) Frank 'Woof' Beagle
Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame Member
Hug your kids at home, but belt them in the airplane.
You hafta AFTA. (Always Fly The Airplane) Frank 'Woof' Beagle
Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame Member
In flying I have learned that carelessness and overconfidence are usually far more dangerous than deliberately accepted risks. Wilbur Wright
In a letter to his father, September 1900
There are two critical points in every aerial flight — its beginning and its end. Alexander Graham Bell
1906
There's simply no substitute for experience in terms of Aviation Safety. Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger, III
Pilot of US Airways Flight 1549
If safety is a joke, then death is the punchline. Paul Laforest
Hug your kids at home, but belt them in the airplane.
You hafta AFTA. (Always Fly The Airplane) Frank 'Woof' Beagle
Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame Member
Hug your kids at home, but belt them in the airplane.

Why is this conference for you?

Stay Ahead of the curve

Skills and knowledge atrophy over time. Just as important, new things are constantly being introduced. Get tuned up for a season of flying.

Become a pilot or pilot something new

Are you already a pilot? Do you want to be a pilot? Do you want to be a drone pilot or perhaps learn about another category of aircraft? This conference will help you move towards all these goals.

Networking opportunities

Some people only get a chance to visit with flying friends at conferences like this. Never mind the speakers! (Sorry speakers.) This is also a great aviation meetup. A fly-in without airplanes...

Visit vendors and other experts

Bring your questions to the event. The speakers are typically available for questions during breaks and there are a lot of great aviation resources just waiting to answer your questions.

WE NEED EXHIBITORS, SPONSORS, SPEAKERS, DOOR PRIZES & RAFFLE ITEMS!
As a 501(c)(3), we can provide donation receipts suitable to the IRS as a tax-deductible donation.

For more information or to answer any questions

E-mail bob@aerocareers.org

Location and Venue

area full of great things to do.

Bring the family. While you enjoy the aviation program, they can enjoy shopping and visiting in Downtown St. Louis, located only 12 miles away!

Venue

Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) in Granite City, Illinois

Located one-mile south of I-270 Exit #4
4950 Maryville Road

Granite City, Illinois

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