With items ranging from flight bags and iPads to experiences like flying with Harrison Ford or aerobatic legend Sean D. Tucker, bidding opened Aug. 11 for the AOPA Foundation’s second annual Night For Flight online auction. The auction will culminate with the Night For Flight gala at the AOPA Aviation Summit in Hartford, Conn., on Thursday, Sept. 22.
“All of the proceeds from the auction and gala support the AOPA Foundation’s four-fold mission – to protect America’s airports, expand the pilot population, improve air safety, and enhance the image of general aviation,” said Bruce Landsberg, president of the AOPA Foundation. “The auction is a great way to support general aviation and get some great stuff at the same time.”
Some of the other items up for bid include: a three-day/two-night stay for two at the Stella Maris resort in the Bahamas; two nights in California’s wine country; and four-day ski rentals and lift tickets for four at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah.
Aviation items include a custom exterior paint scheme for your aircraft from Scheme Designers – the team behind the look of numerous AOPA Sweepstakes aircraft including this year’s Crossover Classic; an aircraft exterior lighting upgrade package; a table-mounted Redbird flight simulator; and a three-day recurrent training program for either the Beech Baron or Cessna 300/400 series aircraft from SimCom or a commercial rating course from Accelerated Flight & Instrument Training (AFIT).
For the more budget conscious, there are items such as headsets by David Clark and beyerdynamic; a handheld aviation radio with localizer and glideslope display from Sporty’s Pilot Shop; a Zaon portable collision avoidance system; and a Start Pac shore power system.
Some of the more unusual items up for auction include a coffee table made from a WACO radial aircraft engine, and the opportunity to name a character in an upcoming novel by author and pilot Stuart Woods.
“We can’t thank the companies and individuals who have donated auction items enough,” concluded Landsberg. “New items are being donated constantly, so check back frequently to see what else has been added. Keep your eyes open… you might even see an aircraft or two added to the auction items!”
