Southwest Airlines To Make AirVenture Maiden Voyage
By Deborah Grigsby
Dallas-based carrier Southwest Airlines has announced it plans
an additional stop this week in Wisconsin, and it's not at the
usual gate in Milwaukee. This year, the "lovable" low-fare airline
will be joining EAA for the first time at AirVenture 2010.
The highlight of Southwest's participation will be the late-week
arrival of one of the airline's newer Boeing 737-700s, which will
arrive Saturday, July 31. And to commemorate the occasion the
airframe will feature a unique decal and will be open for tours
throughout the day.
"Southwest Airlines is honored to participate in the greatest
aviation event in the world," said Chuck Magill, Southwest's Vice
President of Flight Operations. "Besides being the ultimate
aviation event in the world, AirVenture is the largest event in
Wisconsin, and our participation reflects our excitement to be a
part of the great state of Wisconsin through our service to
Milwaukee."
According to information posted on the airline's official blog,
the plane will arrive at AeroShell Square at 0800. It will be on
display for the day, and depart at the end of Saturday's air
show.
"We are really excited about the 2010 Air Venture because this
year, one of those modern airliners attending the show will be one
of our 737-700s," writes Brian Lusk, a Southwest Airlines customer
communications specialist and official blogger for the company's
Web site. "We will be offering tours of the aircraft and will have
employee volunteers to meet with visitors, and our experts will be
on hand to discuss the new RNP (Required Navigational Performance)
system installed on the aircraft."
In addition joining the usual fare of festivities, Southwest is
also on hand to help EAA further its goal of spreading passion
about aviation. Founded in 1992, the EAA Young Eagles program was
created to give interested young people between the ages of eight
and 17 an opportunity to fly in a general aviation aircraft. The
flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through
the generosity of EAA member volunteers.
In an effort to raise money for the program, the EAA's Share the
Spirit Sweepstakes will raffle a series of items to include its
grand prize, an Aviat Husky A-1C airplane. Entries are $1 per
chance and the drawing will be held Aug. 1, 2010. All proceeds go
to EAA initiatives that enable members to help grow aviation by
sharing the spirit of flight with the next generation of
aviators.
Since 1992, more than 1.5 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a
flight through the program. Young Eagles have been registered in
more than 90 different countries and have been flown by more than
42,000 volunteer pilots.
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