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09/01/06 - EAA SPORT PILOT TOUR ROLLS INTO BOSTON AREA, SETTING THE STAGE FOR FUN FLYING
The new, exciting way to get involved in flying with less time and expense is coming to the Boston area early next month! The Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Sport Pilot Tour” rolls into to Lawrence Municipal Airport in North Andover, Mass., beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, ready to introduce people to the sport pilot revolution.
EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour is showing the public that there’s a new way to fly. It’s easy, affordable, safe and fun, as sport pilot cuts the cost and training in half for basic recreational flying. The informative tour sessions and exhibits provide the tools necessary to seize and enjoy this opportunity, for both experienced pilots and those looking to pursue their aviation dreams. The event features some of the brand-new, ready-to-fly light-sport aircraft and interactive forums.
The Tour has already made successful stops in other major cities over the past year, including Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Each stop shows people how they can get into the sky as a pilot with less time and expense than they ever thought possible.
“Now is the time for the many people who have dreamed of learning to fly or have wanted to get back into aviation at an affordable level,” said Ron Wagner, EAA manager of field relations. “Sport pilot was introduced to reduce the time and cost traditionally associated with flying and the infrastructure for your success is rapidly taking shape. The EAA Sport Pilot Tour opens the possibilities of personal flight to individuals and lets them know how to get started. There are light-sport aircraft on-site that can provide demonstration flights and open exciting ways to take to the sky.”
Among the activities at the Sport Pilot Tour stop, which is held in conjunction with EAA Chapter 106, are:
* Forums that explain what you need to begin realizing your own dream of flight;
* Flight instructors who will answer your questions on how to get started;
* Aircraft that are available right now for fun flying, at less than half the cost of a traditional small aircraft (complete list of exhibitors at www.sportpilot.org/learn/tour.html);
* Representatives from EAA and its local chapters, who can show you the fun, flying and friendship waiting for you in the world’s largest recreational aviation organization.
* In addition, EAA will issue sport pilot student certificates at the event, at no charge to EAA members.
EAA worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for more than a decade to create a category of pilots and aircraft that meets the needs of those who fly purely for recreation. The sport pilot program accommodates the wide spectrum of aviation enthusiasts, ranging from the non-pilot to an experienced aviator looking for a simple, back-to-basics, way to enjoy flying.
“We’ll be showing our members, other aviators, and the public that this is an exciting time for recreational aviation, which is rapidly moving to the fore as an affordable outdoor-adventure pastime,” said Wagner, who has met and talked with thousands of aviation enthusiasts about sport pilot during the past year.
FAA will participate with EAA during these tour stops, giving credit for “Wings” safety seminar attendance for participating in Sport Pilot Tour safety programs related to light-sport aviation. Other tour highlights include sport pilot forums, education for flight instructors, plus light-sport aircraft manufacturer displays and demonstrations.
EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and 1,000 local chapters. To join EAA or for more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. | 
