Western Regional Event
|
Program Schedule |
Registration |
Hotels |
FBO |
Ground Transportation |
San Diego Experiences |
Sponsorship Opportunities |
Program Schedule
Friday, April 10 - Optional Group Dinner Activity
|
6:30pm |
Group Dinner (optional) Additional registration fee includes three course meal, tea or coffee, and room rental. Alcoholic beverages are an additional cost. |
Saturday, April 11
The education sessions will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Mission Valley/Stadium. Program schedule and content is subject to change.
|
8:30am-9:00am |
Registration |
|
9:00am-9:15am |
Welcome & Introductions Presenter: Tom Arnold, Vice President, PMOPA |
|
9:15am-10:15am |
Using AI to Augment Flight Planning, Knowledge & Safety Moderator: Tom Arnold Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the aviation landscape—and pilots who embrace these tools can unlock meaningful improvements in efficiency, situational awareness, and operational safety. With this panel, we’ll explore practical, real-world applications of AI that PA-46 pilots can use today, from smarter pre-flight preparation to personalized knowledge-building and better in-flight decision support. Learn what AI can (and can’t) do and how to integrate it responsibly into your flight planning. Walk away with actionable strategies to enhance both your flying and your safety margin. |
|
10:15am-10:45am |
Morning Break |
|
10:45am-12:00noon |
Aviation Legal Update: LLC Landmines, Tax Traps & Staying Out of Trouble Presenter: Scott Williams, Esq. Aircraft ownership brings tremendous freedom—but also a complex web of legal and tax considerations that can catch even experienced owners off guard. In this legal and tax update, aviation attorney Scott Williams will navigate the key issues every current and future PA-46 owner should understand. Scott will discuss the where and why of LLC structures, understanding bonus depreciation from a legal (non-tax) perspective, and demystifying California’s notoriously tricky sales and use tax rules, including the Interstate Commerce Exemption. Drawing on both professional expertise and real-world lessons learned, Scott will deliver clear guidance to help you structure ownership wisely and avoid costly missteps. |
|
12:00noon-1:00pm |
Lunch |
|
1:00pm-1:45pm |
Flying in Sync: How PA-46 Pilots and Air Traffic Control Work Together Safely Effective communication with Air Traffic Control is critical for safe and efficient flight, yet controllers can’t see what’s happening inside the cockpit or know your personal minimums. This session brings together experienced ATC representatives from Montgomery Field Tower and the SoCal TRACON to provide insights on how PA-46 pilots can be reliable partners in the sky. Attendees will learn strategies for clear communication, situational awareness, and proactive decision-making that keep both pilots and controllers aligned. Whether you’re flying VFR or IFR, in busy airspace or unfamiliar terrain, this session provides practical guidance to enhance safety, minimize misunderstandings, and build a stronger partnership with ATC every time you fly. |
|
1:45pm-2:30pm |
Flight Data Monitoring: Looking in the Mirror to Fly It Right Moderator: Paul Rekieta The best pilots are always learning, and post-flight analysis is one of the most powerful tools for improvement. In this moderated panel, experienced PA-46 pilots will share how they consistently review flights to identify areas for refinement and enhance future performance. Using tools like CloudAhoy and FlySto, they’ll demonstrate practical methods for analyzing flight data, discuss common lessons learned, and offer personal best practices you can apply. The panel will also explore how insurance companies are increasingly leveraging flight data to better understand risk in the underwriting process, providing valuable insight into how careful post-flight analysis can influence both safety and coverage considerations. You’ll leave this session with actionable strategies to help you “fly it right” every time. |
|
2:30pm-2:45pm |
Afternoon Break |
|
2:45pm-3:45pm |
Making the Go No-Go Decision Moderator: Rick Tutt, MSIP Platinum, R.J. Tutt Aviation Every pilot faces the critical question: should I fly today, or not? In this moderated panel, experienced PA-46 owner-pilots share how they approach flight planning, establish personal minimums, and communicate with passengers when making the go/no-go decision. They’ll discuss real-world scenarios, including when to divert or execute a go-around if conditions aren’t right for the intended destination. You’ll gain practical strategies to make safer, more confident decisions before and during every flight. |
|
3:45pm-4:00pm |
Closing Comments |
FBO
PMOPA members are welcome to select their airport and FBO of choice in the San Diego area. The event will be located at a hotel adjacent to the Montgomery-Gibbs Airport (KMYF). Two FBOs serve KMYF airport: Coast Air Center is a Piper Authorized Service Center and Crown Air is a CAA affiliated FBO.
Hotels
PMOPA has negotiated a discounted group rate of $139.00 plus taxes for rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn adjacent to the Montgomery-Gibbs Airport.
Hilton Garden Inn Mission Valley/Stadium
3805 Murphy Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 278-9300
If you plan to come early or stay late to enjoy everything San Diego has to offer visitors, or if you prefer a more luxury stay, you might consider one of the following hotels. PMOPA has not negotiated discounted rates at these alternate properties.
On Coronado Island:
Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa
2000 2nd Street
Coronado, CA 92118
Phone: (619) 435-3000
Downtown San Diego:
The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego
326 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 232-3121
Registration
PMOPA Regional Events are designed for pilots, owners, and operators who want to fly their Piper PA-46 with greater confidence, capability, and margin. These one-day events deliver practical, scenario-based education focused on real-world operations, risk management, and aircraft-specific best practices, taught by instructors and experts who understand the M-Class environment. Beyond the classroom, Regional Events offer the opportunity to connect with fellow PA-46 pilots, share experiences, and learn from others who face the same operational decisions you do. Whether you are new to the aircraft or highly experienced, you will leave better informed, more prepared, and better connected to the PA-46 community.
| PMOPA Member Rate | Non-Member Rate | |
| Regular Registration | $375.00 | $675.00 |
Non-members are encouraged to Join PMOPA to receive the discounted rate and all other benefits of PMOPA membership.
The Registration Fee includes:
- Morning and Afternoon Breaks on Saturday
- Lunch on Saturday
- Education Sessions
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your registration, the following refunds will be applied, based on the date you cancel:
- February 14th - 90% refund
- March 14th - 50% refund
- After March 28th - no refund
PMOPA incurs costs for an event, even if a registrant cancels. The closer to the event date that the registration is cancelled, the higher the costs incurred by PMOPA. Cancellation fees help offset those costs. PMOPA leadership may consider exceptions to this policy in limited cases of hardship (e.g., hospitalization, death in immediate family) although exceptions to this policy are not guaranteed to be granted.
Ground Transportation
To keep registration fees as low as possible for PMOPA Regional Events, PMOPA does not arrange or provide ground transportation to or from the airport and the events. Taxis and ride share services (e.g., Uber, Lyft) are readily available in the San Diego area or rental car reservations can be made via your chosen FBO. If you are joining the group for dinner on Friday evening, consider taking the ferry from downtown San Diego to Coronado Island; the restaurant is located adjacent to the Coronado Ferry Terminal.
San Diego Experiences
San Diego is a natural fit for the PMOPA Western Regional Event, offering a rare blend of aviation heritage, coastal beauty, and vibrant neighborhoods. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early or stay a little longer to take advantage of world-class attractions like the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the USS Midway aircraft carrier, where aviation history comes alive on the flight deck, or paragliding at Torrey Pines. Beyond aviation, the city offers unforgettable experiences, from the renowned San Diego Zoo to walkable neighborhoods filled with character, culture, and exceptional dining. With its mild spring weather, stunning waterfronts, and relaxed Southern California atmosphere, San Diego turns a day of learning into a memorable destination experience for pilots, families, and travel companions alike. If you've already experienced everything San Diego has to offer, consider taking a day trip over to Catalina Island for a new aviation experience.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sponsorship Opportunities
PMOPA Regional Event sponsorships are ideal for companies that support the ownership, operation, maintenance, training, and safety of Piper M-Class aircraft and want meaningful, face-to-face engagement with committed aircraft owners and pilots. Sponsoring a Regional Event allows companies to connect face-to-face with engaged aircraft owners in a setting that encourages conversation, learning, and long-term relationships. Sponsorship support helps PMOPA deliver high-quality programming while giving sponsors visibility with a discerning audience that values expertise, service, and products that enhance safety and ownership experience.
Benefits of becoming a sponsor include:
- Visibility with a focused audience of Piper M-Class owners and pilots who actively invest in safety, training, and aircraft care
- On-site presence and direct interaction during the Regional Event program
- Recognition on the event webpage and promotional emails
- Alignment with PMOPA’s safety and education mission through support of high-quality training content
- Relationship-building in a collegial, low-pressure environment that encourages authentic conversations
Sponsorship: $1,000 also includes one event registration (PMOPA member rate*).
Additional sponsorship opportunities can be created to meet a sponsoring company's goals. Please contact PMOPA's Mike Nichols to discuss sponsorship ideas you would like to propose.
* The non-member event registration fee is $300 higher than the member rate and includes one year of PMOPA membership.
