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EAA Headquarters – June 8, 2007 – EAA and its affiliate, the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), will unveil the Learn to Fly Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, July 23-29. The Center will provide information, guidance and a community of support for people who want to pursue the dream of becoming a pilot.
“Our message to every prospective pilot is, ‘It’s easier than you think!’ Every pilot had to start somewhere, and there is no better place to discover the joy of learning to fly than at Oshkosh,” said Master Flight Instructor Rusty Sachs, NAFI’s executive director.
“The Learn to Fly Center will feature certified flight instructors making presentations, answering questions, and discussing the steps, training, knowledge, and skills required to pursue the world’s most exhilarating pastime - flying for fun. We’ll give prospective pilots a head start, including their first ground-school session and logbook entry,” Sachs said.
The Center will also feature information on sport pilot, the EAA-led movement that significantly lowers the time commitment required to become a pilot, the cost of training, and the price of new aircraft. “Sport pilot is the answer for those who are looking to fly by themselves or with a single passenger. It’s about seeing the landscape from above and flying for pleasure,” said EAA President and AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny.
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“The first step in a pilot’s journey - achieving that first piloting certificate - has traditionally been the most challenging. Sport pilot lowers the barriers, allowing the student to become a pilot using less discretionary time and money. Now, flying airplanes is a viable choice for outdoor motor-sport enthusiasts. And membership in EAA provides information and community resources to fuel that passion and help the student along,” Poberezny said.
Sport pilot training applies toward more advanced certificates, so it is a great way to get started in aviation for anyone - even those who ultimately want to advance and eventually become commercial pilots. To facilitate the first step, the Learn to Fly Center will provide FAA-authorized student sport pilot certificates (a value of approximately $50) free of charge for EAA members.
Although the Center will focus its attention on encouraging and equipping enthusiasts who are ready to take the first step, the flight instructors there will also be available to discuss all aspects of flight training, at all levels, with EAA members who stop by.
“We encourage members to stop in and chat with the flight instructors about any aspect of flight training at any level of sophistication,” said Sachs, who is also featured on an EAA AvCast audio podcast. “And we’d be particularly pleased if they bring along an uninitiated friend who might be a mere spark of inspiration and a little encouragement away from getting started.”
In addition to the instructional mini-forums and one-on-one discussions, the Center will provide printed materials on learning to fly, will give away prizes, and will host receptions with expert instructors and celebrity pilots.
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