"Ability Barnstorming Tour" Begins July 21 From Atlanta

In 2007, Brad Jones and Sean O'Donnell became the first Able Flight Scholarship winners to earn their Sport Pilot Certificates... and beginning July 21 in Atlanta, GA, they'll barnstorm their way to an opening day arrival ceremony in AeroShell Square at the world's greatest aviation event, EAA AirVenture.

Both Brad and Sean use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries suffered in vehicle accidents and they'll be flying a matched set of specially-adapted Sky Arrow 600 LSAs, a unique aircraft that can be flown with a second set of hand controls, and almost instantly reconfigured for the use of its standard controls.

The two pilots plan to depart Cobb County Airport just north of Atlanta on July 21 for their first stop in Knoxville, TN later that morning. On the 22nd they'll stop in Dayton, the 23rd in Indianapolis, the 24th in Champaign and the 25th in Waukesha, WI, just west of Milwaukee.

Then, on the morning of July 28, Brad and Sean will fly the last leg into Oshkosh for an arrival ceremony in AeroShell Square on opening day of AirVenture.

In airport events at each location, both men will meet with current and former patients of spinal rehabilitation hospitals, and organizations that serve wounded and disabled veterans. Local pilot groups and media are also being invited to meet these two young men, see the adapted airplanes, and learn first hand what it takes for a person with a disability to learn to fly.

"Our goal is to bring these special pilots and airplanes to as many people as possible as they travel to Oshkosh," said Able Flight's Charles Stites. "It is one thing to read about a person with a disability becoming a pilot, and it's quite another to hear from them in person how they have overcome traditional barriers and successfully faced the challenges of learning to fly. Along with every other scholarship winner, Brad and Sean have proven that with hard work and dedication, nothing is insurmountable-not even flight."

The tour is being funded in part through a lead grant provided by the Wolf Aviation Fund, and the aircraft have been made available by Hansen Air Group and Philly Sport Pilot, companies that provide training for Able Flight Scholarship winners.

To help fund the tour and its general scholarship fund, Able Flight is seeking pledges from individuals who can choose to pledge their support in honor of either Brad or Sean. Based on Able Flight's "Nickel A Nautical Mile " campaign, donors are encouraged to make a $50 pledge for the 1000 mile trip.

FMI: www.ableflight.org