Young People To Fly In EAA Sweepstakes Grand Prize Cessna
Skycatcher With 'Miracle On The Hudson' Co-Pilot
Jeff Skiles, one of the cockpit crew who safety landed a
disabled US Airways airliner on the Hudson River in January 2009,
will be using his flying skills to inspire young people toward
aviation this month during a flight tour involving the EAA Young
Eagles program and EAA's nationwide chapter network.
Skiles, who with "Miracle on the Hudson" captain Sully
Sullenberger serves as Young Eagles co-chairmen, will be making
four stops on the tour. During each stop, he will fly young people
as part of the Young Eagles program during flight rallies set up by
EAA chapters in each community.
"The Young Eagles program has proven to be extremely successful
in attracting young people to aviation and helping them on the
pathway toward becoming an aviator," said Rod Hightower, EAA
president/CEO. "We want to recognize the work of the 45,000
volunteer EAA-member pilots and 50,000 ground volunteers in the
program's success. To have a noted aviator such as Jeff Skiles
pilot an aircraft to these locations and help fly more kids is a
way to bring more visibility to the possibilities available for
young people through Young Eagles. Join us and bring the family if
you're in the area."
The flying tour stops, held in conjunction with local EAA
chapters, include:
- March 19: St. Louis, Mo. area (Smartt Field, St. Charles, Mo. -
KSET)
- March 20: Nashville, Tenn. area (Lebanon Municipal Airport -
M54)
- March 26: Columbia, S.C. (Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport -
KCUB)
- March 27: Daytona Beach, Fla. area (Spruce Creek Airport -
7FL6)
During the tour, Skiles will be flying the Cessna 162
Skycatcher, the newest addition to the legendary Cessna aircraft
fleet. The Skycatcher is a light-sport aircraft, specially designed
to provide fun, recreational flying possibilities at a lower
initial cost. The Skycatcher will also feature markings in its role
as the grand prize in this year's EAA "Share The Spirit"
Sweepstakes. The aircraft will be given away on July 31, the final
day of the EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh, WI.
"This will be a grand adventure, flying and inspiring young
people through EAA's Young Eagles program," said Skiles, who with
Sullenberger was named a Young Eagles co-chairman in September
2009. "Flying the Cessna Skycatcher will only add to the fun of
this journey, as we have the opportunity to create the next
generation of aviators, tell people about the wonderful world of
flight and possibilities that exist for all of us in the sky."