Mike Tauriainen, from Soldotna, Alaska, is the grand prize winner of Hartzell Propeller’s Top Prop Trailblazer Sweepstakes.
The winner of the the sweepstakes, limited to U.S. pilots age 21 or older with a current medical, was announced at EAA AirVenture held in Oshkosh, Wisc. Tauriainen is a private pilot, single engine land and sea.
Cosponsors for the Trailblazer Sweepstakes are the Recreational Aviation Foundation and the Seaplane Pilots Association. Trailblazer Sweepstakes partners are American Champion Aircraft Corp., Aviat Aircraft Inc., Bearhawk, Cubcrafters, Glasair Aviation, Professional Pilots Inc., Stoots Aviation, and Wipaire Inc.
As the winner, Tauriainen will be able to choose between a three-day backcountry flying adventure or a seaplane rating. The prize package includes transportation, lodging and meals for the winner and a guest in addition to the cost of the winner’s chosen flight experience.
Three other winners, who will backup the grand prize winner should he not be able to participate in the flying adventure are: Vickie Crane, of Panama City, Fla., Tim Schryer, of Dothan, Ala., and Arthur Howard, of Donnelly, Minn. They will each receive a package of flying materials from the sweepstakes cosponsors.
Good for Mike. Maybe he can take his own Cessna 206 on floats for the 3-day adventure!