Sporty’s enhances free flight training program for Young Eagles

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Young people who have discovered flight through the EAA Young Eagles program now will have more options to further explore aviation as Sporty’s Pilot Shop has upgraded its Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course, which is available to all Young Eagles.

The upgraded course is offered at no charge, continuing the program that began with Young Eagles’ access to Sporty’s Recreational and Private Pilot Course. More than 15,000 young people have already accessed the Sporty’s course following their Young Eagles flights.

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Unleaded to Oshkosh

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The dust has literally settled in Oshkosh, and there was a good deal of it on the first days of AirVenture 2012 when high temperatures and winds turned the headquarters of U2OSH — Unleaded to Oshkosh — into a blast furnace. A last minute mix-up (EAA had double-booked our space with Beechcraft) forced a move onto Celebration Way, which turned out to be a good location, directly on the main route of travel between the exhibit’s entrance and Phillips66 square. Many members of the Aviation Fuel Club found us and registered for the event, receiving a special decal and T-shirt commemorating the 30th anniversary of the FAA’s approval of the first autogas STC during Oshkosh 1982.

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More than 15,000 Young Eagles enroll in Sporty’s flight training course

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A partnership between the Experimental Aircraft Association and Sporty’s Pilot Shop has allowed more than 15,000 Young Eagles to pursue aviation interests beyond their first flight through Sporty’s Complete Flight Training Course, as part of EAA’s Flight Plan program, which provides free access to Sporty’s Complete Flight Training Course online. Since the joint effort began in April 2009, Sporty’s has donated courses that have a retail value of more than $3 million, according to a report at EAA.org

EAA Eagle Flight #1, check

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Diane Thornton (right) was thrilled with her ride, the first ride, of EAA's new Eagle Flight program. Rod Hightower offered up his T-6 for the first flight.

OSHKOSH — Diane Thornton from Dallas was the inaugural passenger in EAA‘s new Eagle Flight program on Tuesday morning at AirVenture. Modeled after the successful Young Eagles program, which has flown more than 1.7 million kids (aged 7-18), Eagle Flight aims to expose adults to flying.

Thornton’s Eagle Flight was with EAA President Rod Hightower in his T-6.

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Red Tails Ford Mustang ready for auction

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Every year, Ford Motor Co. designs a one-of-a-kind Mustang to auction at EAA AirVenture. For 2012, Ford has created a “Red Tails Edition” Mustang to honor the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American aviators in the United States Army Air Corps. This special Mustang will be auctioned off on Thursday, July 26, to benefit the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Program.

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Time running out to support medical exemption

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The FAA opened its official comment period June 12 for an exemption to third class medical certificate regulations filed jointly by AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Supporters have only 20 days — until July 2 — to submit comments, according to a report at AOPA.org. “We urge those who have not commented on our exemption request to do so within the 20-day timeframe, because this request opens an important discussion about creating more possibilities to participate in aviation while maintaining a high safety standard,” said Robert Hackman, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs. “Now is the time to make your voice heard on this important initiative.”