The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) announced at AirVenture 2006 last week the two organizations will partner to strengthen and expand the availability of the AvKids (Aviation for Kids) program.

AvKids was designed by NBAA in 1999 to educate elementary school students about the benefits of business aviation and the career opportunities available in the business aviation industry.

"NBAA and EAA both recognize the importance of providing educational opportunities for children to learn about general aviation, including business aviation," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "This partnership will make AvKids a part of EAA's world-class Young Eagles program, strengthening AvKids for the students it is designed to reach."

Since its inception, AvKids has educated children about business aviation through the distribution of more than 65,000 teacher's guides, children's books and other resources via direct mail and the program's web site, at the FMI link below.

EAA's Young Eagles initiative, chaired by famed actor Harrison Ford, focuses on educating youth about general aviation. Since its inception in July 1992, more than one million children have been exposed to the program.

"EAA is proud to partner with NBAA on making AvKids a component of the Young Eagles program," said EAA President and AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny. "The focus of Young Eagles has always been to expose America's youth to the excitement and opportunities available in the general aviation community, and the addition of AvKids is consistent with that vision."

Under the partnership agreement formed between the two organizations, NBAA will continue to support AvKids on a consulting basis, while EAA will assume day-to-day responsibility for managing AvKids and overseeing its inclusion in the Young Eagles program.

FMI: www.avkids.com, www.nbaa.org, www.eaa.org