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Air Zoo to offer free airplane rides to veterans

By General Aviation News Staff · May 31, 2013 ·

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — This summer, veterans who served during World War II and the Korean War will have the chance to take flight, for free.

Veterans will be able to fly in a Boeing-Stearman N2S-5 Kaydet, courtesy of the Air Zoo and pilot/sponsor Alan Wright. The Kaydet is an open cockpit aircraft that served as the U.S. Navy’s primary trainer during World War II.

“This is the Air Zoo’s eighth consecutive year offering free veteran flights,” said Troy Thrash, Air Zoo president and CEO. “It is our way of saying thank you to those who have sacrificed so much serving our country.”

Flights will take place on Tuesdays beginning June 2 through Aug. 20, weather permitting. They are open to veterans who have not previously participated with the Air Zoo’s free veteran flights. Flights will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are flying must sign a waiver and be able to get in and out of the aircraft on their own. A maximum of five flights per day will be offered.

For more information or to reserve a flight: 269-350-2815, AirZoo.org

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