After more than five years in service as the flagship for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, GlaStar N232YE was looking a little tired. So tired, in fact, that when the aircraft was returned to the factory in Arlington, Wash., last winter, the factory crew decided to do more than basic maintenance.
“It has made more than 3,000 takeoffs and landings and it looked like it,” noted Glasair Aviation CEO Michael Via. “So when it came back to the factory, we decided to clean it up a bit.”
GlaStar N232YE was given the aviation version of a makeover.
One of the most noticeable changes was a new paint job. The GlaStar gleamed as if it was wet as it was returned to the EAA during a ceremony at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland.
“We got $35,000 in improvements,” said EAA President Tom Poberezny. “Essentially they gave us a new airplane.”
Poberezny noted that the cleaned-up machine would go a long way toward making a good impression on Young Eagles and their parents.
The aircraft has returned to Oshkosh, where it will continue to be used for Young Eagles. The program, which introduces children to the world of aviation, has flown 1.1 million children to date.