Build A Plane Announces Youth Art Competition

LOS ANGELES — Build A Plane is asking kids around the United States to design the paint scheme for its flagship aircraft, a Glasair Sportsman 2+2. The winning designer will receive national recognition and an Apple iPod Touch.

Entry forms are available on Build A Plane’s website, buildaplane.org/youth_art_program.htm.

This Build A Plane aircraft was built by high school kids participating in Glasair’s Two Weeks to Taxi program. Four students joined Glasair factory personnel to construct the entire aircraft in two weeks. Scheme Designers will oversee this final step for the Build A Plane aircraft, adding the winning student-designed paint scheme. The aircraft will tour the United States in 2009.

"We’re excited to open up this competition for kids to have a say in how the airplane is painted," says Build A Plane’s executive director, Katrina Bradshaw. "Kids built the airplane and now kids will determine how it looks. That’s a perfect reflection of what Build A Plane is all about!”

After the winning paint scheme is applied, Build A Plane’s Glasair Sportsman will visit schools with existing projects, as well as schools interested in starting a project. "We also plan on introducing aviation-themed projects for elementary and middle schools kids," says Bradshaw. "Aviation is a really exciting way to learn science, technology, engineering, and math. Build A Plane efforts encourage kids to consider aviation and aerospace as a vocation."

For more information on Build A Plane and the Youth Art Competition, call (804) 843-3321 or visit www.BuildAPlane.org.