Site In Former NASA Building To Specialize In Less-Expensive Ways To Fly

Between rising fuel prices, maintenance expenses, hangar fees, the cost of an aircraft... pursuing a passion for aviation may appear beyond reach for a lot of people. EAA notes one of its main goals is to find a better way to do things, primarily through pooling and sharing knowledge and information. That's essentially what's behind an attraction set to debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, the Affordable Flying Center.

"The EAA Affordable Flying Center will focus on ways our members can achieve and maintain their dream of flight, even on a limited budget," said EAA's Ron Wagner, who is leading efforts to organize the new feature attraction. "EAAers have lots of creative ways to get the most bang for their aviation bucks, and the idea is to collect and make them available to share with each other."

Located in the former NASA building (north of the old control tower adjacent to the Honda Forums Plaza), the Affordable Flight Center will feature a mini-forum area, indoor displays, and examples of Standard Category aircraft like the Taylorcraft, Piper Colt/Tri-Pacer, etc., that can provide an economical pathway to flight. EAA's staff of experts and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and provide information to those seeking a less expensive way to pursue their aviation passion.

Some of the areas they'll be ready to discuss include partnerships, and flying clubs; owner-maintenance opportunities; plans-building, where the builder's time and sweat equity substitute for money to create one of the most cost-effective ways to own a low-cost aircraft; and sport pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft, and how this growing category can help enthusiasts pursue their passion for flight for less cost.

Wagner has put out the call to EAA members who would like to share their story about innovative ways to affordably own, build, buy, maintain, or fly an aircraft. He's also looking for featured aircraft to display outside the Affordable Flying Center.

FMI: www.airventure.org, Contact Ron Wagner With YOUR Ideas! (Include Contact Information)