SAFE Asks Members To Volunteer Time During The Show
After Congress adjourned on Friday without passing a 21st
Continuing Resolution to fund the FAA, the agency was left with few
options, none of the particularly good. The agency furloughed
thousands of employees, which is affecting its participation at
AirVenture this week.
One of the affected organizations is SAFE, a professional
organization for aviation educators. SAFE facilitates the
professional development of aviation educators. They also are
a big part of KidVenture, with the help of representatvies from the
FAA. But with FAA personnel unable to attend AirVenture, President
and CEO Doug Stewart on Sunday put out the following letter to the
members of the organization:
SAFE Members,
AirVenture is just about to begin
for another year, and with a great number of things going on in the
Washington DC, the budget discussions have affected the ability of
FAA personal to attend and help at AirVenture.
Below you will find a memo from
Bob Meder to KidVenture volunteers. KidVenture needs help with
additional bodies. If any SAFE members are going to be at
AirVenture and might be able to offer even a couple hours of help,
we certainly know that it would be greatly appreciated.
If you are going to be there and
would be willing to help, please contact John Ladley at
314-422-9076 or Bob Meder at 314-607-8645 if you or someone you
know might be able to help at all this week.
The memo sent to the those who had volunteered to help out with
KidVenture states:
July 24, 2011
To: KidVenture volunteers
From: Bob Meder, Supervisor Young Eagles Flight
Education
Subject: A special request for assistance
As I’m sure you’re
aware, in consideration of the effects of the budget discussions
and FAA funding levels, many of the FAA participants we had
expected to be able to help will not be able to attend KidVenture
this year. This came about suddenly; we were informed that they
would not be able to attend late Friday afternoon. At a personal
level, because I have worked with many of these individuals for
several years and have become friends with them, this saddens me.
As a flight educator and someone that is committed to the best
program for the children that participate, I realize this leaves a
huge gap in our program.
With that, I am making a special
request for some assistance. We are asking that you help in the
booths where the FAA has traditionally been a presence, along with
any other gaps that we have in our staffing. Due to the nature of
the audience, a good knowledge of aviation, as any pilot would
have, is all that is really necessary. The syllabuses for the
lessons are at each booth, and John Ladly and I will be more than
happy to match you to an area in which you are most comfortable and
assist in getting you up to speed.
I can’t overstate how
important your help will be. Thanks in advance for helping make
this event a success.
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