Win a Grumman AA5 Traveler, help future aviators

AKRON, Ohio — The East Central Ohio Pilots Association (ECOPA) has revealed that a 1972 Grumman AA5 Traveler is its annual raffle airplane.

Proceeds from the raffle will go to the association’s Education and Safety Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit that provides flight training scholarships to future pilots.

“Not only are you getting a chance to win a pristine aircraft, but your donation is extremely important to furthering our ambitions to expand our annual scholarship and safety and education outreach programs,” said Ron Becker, ECOPA fundraiser committee chair. “Since our scholarship program began in 2013, we have changed the lives of over 40 recipients. During this same time frame, our Education and Safety Outreach Programs have educated over 1,000 pilots.”

ECOPA launched its first raffle fundraiser in 2020 with a 1967 Cessna 150H. The initial raffle was so successful association officials decided to continue with another plane raffle in 2021.

The 2020 winner, Tom Moffatt, was thrilled when he won last year’s plane.

“The people from ECOPA were extremely helpful as we went through the process of transferring the aircraft and picking it up,” said Moffatt. “I could not have asked for nicer, more helpful people. They made everything so easy and the plane was in outstanding shape.”

Moffatt is also very familiar with the Grumman AA5 Traveler and suggests this year’s winner will enjoy the plane.

“This year’s aircraft, a Grumman American Traveler, is another excellent aircraft. I have two of them in service at my flight school outside of Atlanta,” said Moffatt. “They are truly wonderful aircraft. My mechanic loves the plane. It’s so simple and easy to work on. The Travelers handle much lighter and crisper than a 172 — kind of like the difference between a sports car and a family sedan. I know it’s an overused analogy, but in this case it’s true. Truly fun flying. Whoever wins this will enjoy flying and, more importantly, owning this Traveler.”

Raffle tickets will be sold exclusively online at ECOPAPilot.com, with just 4,000 tickets to be sold. Those who buy raffle tickets will be entered to win one of six prizes, including the grand prize Grumman AA5 Traveler, a $2,500 flight school scholarship, a Bose A20 headset with Bluetooth, an 11-inch iPad and Stratus 3 ADS-B Receiver, a PJ2 Handheld COM Radio, and a one-year subscription to CloudAhoy. Tickets are $75 for one or three tickets for $195.

Past scholarship recipients have gone on to fly for the United States Air Force, as well as private corporations.

“When an entire pilots association gets behind you it really boosts your own belief in yourself,” said Griffin James, a 2016 scholarship recipient. “Since receiving the scholarship, I’ve earned my private, instrument, commercial, multiengine, flight instructor, CFI-Instrument, Instrument Ground Instructor, and Advanced Ground Instructor certifications while studying finance at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business.”

“These programs make such a huge a difference in the lives of many aspiring aviators and existing pilots, many of whom donate their time, talents, and resources to the general aviation community and to the missions of many volunteer pilot organizations,” said Becker. “We hope you’ll help us continue and expand the tradition.”

For more Information on the ECOPA Education and Safety Foundation, contact Becker at 330-353-2397 or [email protected].