MEMBERCENTRAL
NEWS FROM HQ
CESSNA RENEWS SUPPORT FOR
GATHERING OF EAGLES
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY RENEWED its commitment to EAA’s
Gathering of Eagles fundraiser by signing a new two-year
agreement as presenting sponsor.
One of aviation’s premier events in support of youth aviation
education programs, the Gathering is held during the annual EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in and draws more than 1,000 attendees.
Each year the event raises in excess of $1.5 million for programs
such as EAA Young Eagles, EAA Air Academy, and others.
“EAA is grateful to Cessna for its continuing support that
helps create the next generation of aviators,” said Elissa Lines,
EAA’s vice president of business and donor relations. “Gathering
of Eagles is unique as it brings together all areas of the aviation
community, including aviation businesses that realize the
importance of working together to fortify EAA’s mission of
growing aviation through participation by all ages, but especially
in young people.”
EAA CANADIAN FLY-IN GROWING STEADILY
THE SECOND ANNUAL EAA CANADIAN FLY-IN was the place to be for
lovers of aviation on September 15-18, with fly-in capacity to spare
and camping available for all. Difficult weather prevented many
Canadians from attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011, but clear
skies provided an easy path to the Gatineau fly-in.
In the past, the Gathering of Eagles has featured such aviation
legends as Bob Hoover, Chuck Yeager, Paul Poberezny, Jim Lovell,
and Gene Cernan, as well as celebrities such as Harrison Ford,
Morgan Freeman, the late Cliff Robertson, Arnold Palmer, Jack
Roush, and others.
“We are thrilled to continue our support of the EAA Young
Eagles program, working with other industry partners, to foster
a bright future for us all,” said Jodi Noah, Cessna vice president,
single-engine/propeller aircraft. “EAA has taken a leadership
role in developing new aviators of all ages, and Cessna is happy
to support their efforts to welcome young and old to the joy,
excitement, and sense of accomplishment that comes from flying.”
Both Vintage Wings of Canada and the Canadian Warplane
Heritage Museum fielded their best aircraft. The end of the Cold War
has presented the aviation community with some great opportunities
to see some spectacular aerobatic aircraft in operation. An excellent
example of this was the duo performance by Charlie Lynch in his
Russian Yak-52 and Daniel Fortin in a Chinese Nanchang CJ-6A.
Andrew Boyd, son of Canadian CF-104 test pilot Tim Boyd, did an
outstanding solo performance in his stunning red Pitts S-2B.
Two large hangars were given over to vendors, workshops, and
organizations including EAA, led by Adam Smith, Ron Wagner, and
EAA Canadian Council member Jack Dueck. A beautifully finished
Lancair was parked near the entrance to the show.
In 2012, the event is tentatively scheduled to be held on
Thursday, July 26, at the EAA AirVenture Museum.
More than 300 volunteers helped the day run smoothly, and
the AirVenture-like tradition of not leaving litter was respected
admirably.—Ian Brown
WIN THE CUB IN 2012!
THE PIPER J-3 CUB, one of the most iconic and recognizable
airplanes to ever grace the sky, will take center stage as the grand
prize for the 2012 EAA Win the Cub Sweepstakes. The grand prize
coincides with EAA’s commemoration of the Piper Cub’s 75th
anniversary, which will take place at AirVenture Oshkosh 2012.
The sweepstakes Cub was originally built in 1940 and has
been completely restored to its original condition with factory
wheelpants and an overhauled Continental A-65-8 engine. The
grand prize package includes skis for winter flying, plus a sport
pilot certificate and/or tailwheel endorsement training if desired.
“This is your opportunity to win one of the great airplanes in
aviation history that is perfect for fun flying,” said Elissa Lines,
EAA’s vice president of business and donor relations. “At the
same time, you’ll be joining the rest of the aviation community
in supporting EAA’s activities and programs that are helping to
create the next generation of aviators.”
Sweepstakes entry forms are included in this issue of EAA Sport
Aviation. To enter online, see a list of other prizes you can win, or
view the complete sweepstakes rules, visit www.Win TheCub.com.
