SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, DECEMBER 13, 2012 – Bruce’s Custom Covers announced today its donation of a custom fitted aircraft cover to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) for its 2013 sweepstakes Stearman Model 75 biplane. This iconic aircraft will be fully restored and awarded to one lucky contest winner following its display at the annual AirVenture Fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Described by EAA as a “living time machine transcending age by continuing to challenge and excite the modern pilot,” the sweepstakes Stearman has a storied history and will serve to help EAA create the next generation of aviators. A beneficiary of the fly-in and contest proceeds is Young Eagles, an EAA program to introduce youth, aged 8–17, to aviation. Bruce’s is proud to support this organization and has done so in prior years. In July 2012, Bruce’s provided two covers for fundraising at the organization’s Gathering of Eagles auction. Two winning bidders received a custom fitted cover for their aircraft, valued at up to $550.00 each, and Young Eagles program received the proceeds.
Bruce’s is familiar with the current crop of Stearman aircraft owners and operators. In September 2012, Bruce’s supported the 41st National Stearman Fly-In providing a similar auction item at this annual gathering. Event organizer, Fred Wright, remarked, “Your gift was the most popular silent auction item... and it brought the highest bid of any of the items that were part of the silent auction. The guys love to bid on stuff that will benefit their planes.” Stearman owners are dedicated caretakers of some remarkable aircraft. The winning bidder owns both a 450 Stearman (a Boeing Stearman Model 75 fitted with a Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. 450-horsepower engine) and a stock Stearman. The contribution by Bruce’s benefitted both the winning bidder/owner as well as the entire community of Stearman owners.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the EAA aircraft sweepstakes. The 2013 prize plane was once owned by Curtis Pitts, an American designer of a series of popular aerobatic biplanes, known by his namesake. At the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the plane Pitts created in 1943 is called, “revolutionary because of its small size, light weight, short wingspan and extreme agility.” The Stearman features, a 300-horsepower Jacobs R755 A2M engine, 24-volt electric system, dual basic instrumentation, and its iconic open cockpit. A contemporary of Pitts, Lloyd Stearman designed his namesake airplane in 1934. It served to train a whole generation of pilots who served in the U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces, the Royal Canadian Airforce, and other nations.
For more than 33 years, operators have learned that covering their airplanes, jets, helicopters, and gliders is the best protection from the elements that money can buy. A well-protected aircraft enhances its safety, operation and utility thereby ensuring the security, comfort and enjoyment of its occupants.
Bruce’s Custom Covers is the original designer and manufacturer of the world’s finest protective aircraft covering systems for airplanes, jets, helicopters, gliders, QEC off-link jet engines and ground service equipment. Bruce’s uses state-of-the-art materials and methodologies to ensure durability, quality and finish. Bruce’s Custom Covers is committed to advancing the science and art of cover design to meet the demands and expectations of customers worldwide.
For further information, contact Aircraft Covers, Inc, DBA: Bruce's Custom Covers, 989 East California Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, call 408-738-3959 or toll-free 1-800-777-6405 (in U.S. and Canada), [email protected], or visit www.aircraftcovers.com.
