Give the gift of flight this holiday season and help prospective pilots turn their aviation dreams into reality through the Flight Experience, an introductory kit from EAA and Sporty’s Pilot Shop.
The Flight Experience kit is designed as a pathway to aviation participation through an informative flight experience with a CFI. For $139, individuals receive a certificate for a discovery flight redeemable at one of more than 1,000 flight schools across the United States, a six-month EAA membership, plus many more items welcoming them to the world of flight.
“Not only does the Flight Experience provide the necessary resources in becoming a pilot, it also provides a high-level of support and encouragement needed to complete the journey,” said Rod Hightower, EAA president/CEO. “EAA and Sporty’s are committed to opening the door to aviation participation and the limitless opportunities available in the world of flight.”
In addition to the discovery flight and EAA membership, the kit includes a subscription to EAA Sport Aviation magazine, two-hour learn to fly video, pilot logbook and Cessna 182 cockpit poster. A listing of participating flight schools can be found at Sportys.com/flight.
“We are delighted to again team up with EAA to engage aviation enthusiasts and guide them on the path to becoming a pilot,” said Hal Shevers, Sporty’s Pilot Shop Founder and Chairman. “The Flight Experience is a great introductory step into the limitless world of aviation, and will fuel the passion for flight and all the fun and excitement which go with it.”
Flight Experience kits are available for purchase through the EAA Catalog at ShopEAA.org, Sporty’s catalog at Sportys.com/fe, and at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis.
EAA and Sporty’s also are collaborating to spur aviation participation by offering Sporty’s Online Pilot Training Course free to all EAA Young Eagles. Through this program, young people who receive an inspirational and educational introduction to personal flight via the EAA Young Eagles Program also receive from Sporty’s the tools they’ll need to take the next steps in pursuing their interest in aviation.
It seems to me that is what the EAA Young Eagles program is ALREADY doing for aviation….and it is provided by volunteers who have a passion for aviation and flying. Below is some background on what I do….and LOVE it!
Choices….”When Did You Know”
I was born on July 4, 1934, living on Staten Island, when at the age of 9, I knew I wanted to be involved in aviation. My parents helped me purchase a Thor model airplane motor…. really wasn’t much good…..wouldn’t run very well even on the motor stand I built….built u-control model ‘high speed’ model airplanes…went to RPI to become an Aeronautical Engineer…. .was in Air Force ROTC…graduated….was in the Air Force pilot training class of 57-H, and became a pilot after almost being ‘washed out’….flew B-47’s with an Aircraft Commander who had flown B-17’s in WWII….flew F-86H’s and F-84’s in the Mass. Air National Guard…..worked at Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, Inc. for about 40 years…..now retired mentoring and ‘teaching’ aviation related subjects with elementary, junior, and senior high school youngsters, and adults in Dartmouth’s ILEAD program, received the EAA Leadership Award in 2006, and in 2010 The Wright Brothers “Master Pilot†Award from FAA “In recognition of your contributions to building and maintaining the safest aviation system in the world, through practicing and promoting safe flight operations for 50 consecutive yearsâ€â€¦.. Have organized Airport Awareness Day and Young Eagle Rally at Lebanon Airport for four years and Dean Memorial Airport for fourteen years…continue flying in our 1976 Cessna 182 to travel, and fly youngsters to become a Young Eagle, an EAA program chaired by Sully & Jeff, pilots of the now-famous US Airways Flight 1549 ditching in the Hudson River-January 2009 … My being involved in the Young Eagles program, flying almost 400 youngsters so far, has been and continues to be a very rewarding experience.