EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (May 17, 2011) — On Saturday, May 21, nearly 200 events will turn dreams of flight into reality for tens of thousands of people during the second annual International Learn to Fly Day, an aviation community-wide effort helping people of all ages take that first step to discover the fun and freedom of flight.
Find a local International Learn to Fly Day event near you at www.learntofly.org. Events are being held throughout the United States, plus scheduled events in Canada, Ireland, Iceland, and Brazil.Local EAA chapters and aviation organizations are leading the way by offering complementary adult orientation flights on May 21, helping connect aviators with those who have always wanted to discover flight.
These introductory flights for adults are similar to EAA’s popular Young Eagles program, which has offered free flights to more than 1.6 million young people since 1992. EAA also encourages other aviation organizations and businesses to join in the effort by offering introductory flights, seminars, and open houses at airports and other locations throughout the United States and internationally.
“As we grow the next generation of aviators, International Learn to Fly Day is one day where we can make a special effort to invite and welcome those who have always dreamed of flying,” said Rod Hightower, EAA president/CEO. “If you’ve always wanted to discover what it is like to sit right seat in an aircraft, seek out an International Learn to Fly Day event in your area. If you are a pilot, share your passion with a friend and take them up for a ride so they can experience the joy, fulfillment and sense of accomplishment of flying an aircraft.”The inaugural International Learn to Fly Day in 2010 drew more than 40,000 people to events. Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution in 2010 declaring the third Saturday in May as International Learn to Fly Day, recognizing the contributions of flight instructors, flight schools, aviation groups, and industry in promoting and teaching the nation’s next generation of pilots.
EAA is the acknowledged leader of this important effort because of its extensive network of nearly 1,000 chapters, which supports and promotes aviation on the local level. Those grassroots chapters offer resources for those interested in flight, whether it is through the chapter’s members or connections with flight schools and instructors.
“EAA chapters offer a very important link to growing the flight community, as chapters are the neighborly connection that welcomes new aviators and those who want to discover more about flight,” Hightower said.
EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 170,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.
