Ever Seen An Airplane Smile?

A bright yellow DC-3 is on display at Sun 'n Fun this week from the National Aviation Hall of Fame's SkyReach program. "Duggy" is the name of the brightly painted airplane with the happy smile that has made its national debut here in Lakeland.

"Our objective is to have Duggy on display every weekend at an airshow or an airfield event," said Ron Kaplan, Executive Director of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

SkyReach is the Hall of Fame's youth education program, using Duggy as flying ambassador and classroom. The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacies of America's air and space pioneers. Over 180 men and women are enshrined in the NAHF, including the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Neil Armstrong.

SkyReach is a character development program which uses the examples set by enshrinees. "It's not how to be a pilot, or how things fly, it's how to be a better person, a better student, brother, sister or parent," said Kaplan.

Duggy and his friends started as cartoons created by Mitch Carley. He has been collaborating with the NAHF since 2003 to develop Duggy into the ultimate "spokesplane" for the SkyReach program.

"One person could not have done this alone, this is a classic example of American perseverance and teamwork," said Carley.

The NAHF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is supported primarily through membership dues, grants, and the contributions of individuals and sponsoring companies. A grant helped them to get Duggy flying, and now the program is looking for corporate sponsors to help carry their positive message to the youth of America.

Their schedule is starting to fill in, with appearances already scheduled up until November.

FMI: www.duggy.com , www.nationalaviation.org