If case is a problem, it should be easy to reproduce.
 
FYI, this is why I mention logs when trying to solve issues with scanning. It can be very helpful.

would be nice if cbb had some "logging switch" that all us beta testers (with agile development you never leave "beta") could switch on for this stuff, although i probably spend too much time looking through logfiles already in my life

The scan log is easy to generate on demand by holding down the SHIFT key while clicking the scan or reset buttons.

Thanks everyone for ideas
I'm at work so cannot try the idea that Erik has mentioned. I noticed that as well, the actual path in windows has a capital "Air"  but the scan path is a lower case. worth a shot tonight.
The ilok software cannot be the issue as Xpand is on the VST list in both Home Studio and Splat and works just fine in those 2 versions. 
I find the Air installer and overall stability of plug ins on the edge. I really like a few of the instruments and xPand2 has a nice GUI with 4 instruments so perfect for horn sections etc. It's not a big deal but I really hate having to waste time troubleshooting this stuff. So the easy route has been to simply load those few songs with Splat and get some work done.  

scook
The scan log is easy to generate on demand by holding down the SHIFT key while clicking the scan or reset buttons.

thanks steve, but that's only for the scan i think?

Xpand!2 and my other AIR plugins are working fine in CbB.
 
One thing I have noticed is that inMusic (AIR, etc.) installers like to add a new plugin folder under "C:\Program Files\Steinberg" to your PC.
 
If you run one of their installers that sometimes do not offer you a selection for a destination path for the .dll, it just creates that new folder and drops the plugins there.
 
So check if you have that folder.  If so you either need to map Cakewalk VST scan to that folder if it exists, or move the plugin to your main plugin folder.  I usually just move the .dll and delete "Steinberg. 

Thanks, the Steinberg folder is where I always put 3rd party VST's so is always one I add, both under Programs and under Programs x86. And yes that is where it shows in the installers pathway. But there is also a folder listed under Programs  as 
Air Music Technology that has all the Air plug ins in it. It also contains sub folders for each VST, I have DB33 , Loom, strike2 etc all those are working fine,, just the Xpand2 somehow is not showing and only in CbB. 
 

I guess the logs did not help
 
Have you tried
move the plug-in dll out of the scan path,
run a manual scan in CbB,
put the plug-in dll back in scan path and
run another manual scan in CbB?
 

Cactus Music
Thanks, the Steinberg folder is where I always put 3rd party VST's so is always one I add, both under Programs and under Programs x86. And yes that is where it shows in the installers pathway. But there is also a folder listed under Programs  as Air Music Technology that has all the Air plug ins in it.

Some manufacturers duplicate their plug-ins into a path intended for scanning and in the manufacturer folder in program files. Only one of these paths should be in the scan path. Avoid scanning duplicate plug-ins and paths.

Thanks once again Steve. 
I followed your advice, sort of,  and here's what I did.
First I removed all pathways that where under the "Air Technologies" path.  
Re scanned and of course still no Xpand
So when I went to move the dll?? as you recommend, it was no where to be found,, I had not noticed that it was missing and just assumed it was in the Xpand folder. 
So I moved all the Xpand files to a new folder as a back up. 
I then re-installed xpand and now the dll showed in the Stienberg VST folder. 
Re scanned without adding any new pathways and it was found. 
So the issue seemed to be that even though the installer was directed to the Stienberg VST folder, it didn't go there. 
I had re installed xpand twice . So this is a case of a botched install that needed a clean slate to get it right. 
 

Cakelab...now that's what the name of the new Sonar should be called.