To Be Introduced In AirVenture 2006 Forum

Aero-News has learned that EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 will mark the official launch of the Sonex Education Initiative. The Education Initiative represents an investment into the future of both recreational and professional aviation.

Through the Sonex Education Initiative, Sonex Aircraft, LLC is offering discount incentives for educational institutions and community organizations to educate youth about aviation via the construction of a Sonex Aircraft or AeroConversions AeroVee Engine.

The Sonex Education Initiative also consists of a 10 percent discount incentive on Sonex, Waiex or Xenos Complete Airframe Kits and AeroConversions AeroVee Engines. In addition, Sonex Aircraft, LLC has created a Sonex Education Initiative web site to offer many value-added features to participant schools and organizations.

In partnership with Expercraft, the Sonex Education Initiative web site will offer free Expercraft Simple Log project logging to participants. The Education Initiative web site will also offer free on-line discussion groups for both teachers and students, a database of curriculum resources, advice on starting, teaching and administrating aviation education via aircraft construction, as well as links to educational, funding and technical support resources.

"With the Sonex Education Initiative, its discount incentives, support, and community-building web resources, Sonex Aircraft, LLC has made a significant commitment to aviation education, and is leading the way for others to follow suit in helping secure a place for recreational aviation in our children¹s future," said Sonex Aircraft Education Initiative project leader Mark Schaible.

To kick-off the Sonex Education Initiative, a forum will be held at AirVenture. "Building Aircraft in Schools and Youth Groups" will be a forum held on Tuesday, July 25 from 1:00pm to 2:15pm in AirVenture Forum building #01: Utah Valley State College Pavilion. The forum will be presented by Washburn High School teacher and Sonex Education Initiative Chairman, Peter Denny.

Denny currently uses a Sonex construction project in his class at the Minneapolis area school's Aviation and Aerospace SLC (Small Learning Community) and has championed the cause of aviation education both in the United States and his native Australia for many years.

As Education Initiative Chairman, Denny will help advise educators around the world about teaching through aviation, will compile and solicit submissions to a downloadable curriculum database, will moderate the Education Initiative On-Line discussion group for educators, and will advise Sonex Aircraft, LLC about how best to serve the mission of the Sonex Education Initiative and its participants.

FMI: http://education.sonexaircraft.com, www.sonexaircraft.com, www.expercraft.com