Frederick 5/7/2010 4:37:53 AM
International Learn To Fly Day: Bringing The Joy of Flying to Everyone
On Saturday, May 15, people around the world will celebrate the first-ever International Learn to Fly Day.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which originally announced this special aviation day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) are teaming up with other leading aviation organizations to support community events aimed at getting future pilots up in the sky for their first flight.
“We created this day to increase awareness of personal flying,” EAA President Tom Poberezny said. “Our goal is to grow general aviation and do it in a collaborative way.”
“It’s incredible to see pilots’ enthusiasm for inspiring others to learn to fly,” said Craig Fuller, president of AOPA. “The international aviation community is coming together to introduce people around the world to the excitement of general aviation.”
The official website, www.learntoflyday.org, lists a searchable database of events. In the United States and Canada alone, over 400 events are currently scheduled with more being added every day.
Attending an event on International Learn to Fly Day is just the first step toward learning to fly. AOPA’s Let’s Go Flying website, www.letsgoflying.com, includes free resources and a database of more than 3,500 flight schools that can be searched by zip code.
With approximately 415,000 members, AOPA is the world’s largest civil aviation association. Since 1939, AOPA has been dedicated to protecting the interests of general aviation, improving general aviation’s public perception, and growing the pilot population.
EAA, based in Oshkosh, Wis., embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 160,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft.
CONTACT:
Nicole Lasorda
Barton Gilanelli & Associates
215.592.8601
nicole@bartgil.com
