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Cessna takes long way from Davis Islands to convention center

Staff photo by RUGENE MOORE

The plane's wingspan was about as wide as the streets it passed through, AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy said.

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TBO.com

Published: November 4, 2009

TAMPA - You wouldn't expect it to take two hours for a plane to go from Davis Islands to downtown Tampa, but that's how long it took Tuesday night.

The Cessna 182 four-seat single-engine plane didn't fly; instead it was towed by a pickup from Peter O. Knight Airport to the Tampa Convention Center parking circle.

The plane will be among the exhibits at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Aviation Summit in Tampa this Thursday through Saturday.

About two dozen workers with Cessna and four Tampa police cruisers accompanied the aircraft. Workers took down a section of fencing at the airport about 10:30 p.m. so the plane could roll through, then city workers removed street signs and carefully watched the wings of the plane as it navigated across the Davis Boulevard bridge to Bayshore Boulevard, across the Platt Street bridge to Channelside Drive.

Both the fencing and the street signs were replaced as soon as the plane had passed, AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy said.

The association expects more than 1,000 aircraft and 10,000 members in Tampa for the summit, Dancy said.

Aircraft, including the 1937 Lockheed Electra used in the movie "Amelia," will be on display beginning Thursday at Peter O. Knight Airport.

On Saturday, the public will be able to test flight simulators and take a $70 introductory flight on a general aviation aircraft at Peter O. Knight Airport.

The public also is invited to attend the association's exhibit hall at the Tampa Convention Center. Admission is $25; or $50 for exhibits and forums.

After the summit, workers will move the Cessna back to Peter O. Knight Airport on Saturday. Details of that transfer have not been finalized, Dancy said.

Reporter Ted Jackovics contributed to this report.

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