Los Angeles, CA, July 22nd, 2009—BuildAPlane’s Glasair Sportsman 2+2 will make its Oshkosh debut at this year’s AirVenture, July 27th through August 2nd. The aircraft was built last summer by high school kids participating in Glasair’s Two Weeks to Taxi Program. The project was also made possible by generous support from Lycoming, Hatzell, Garmin, Jeppesen, Bose, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and others in the aviation/aerospace community.
“All of us at BuildAPlane are very excited to show off what kids can do!” Lyn Freeman, Founder of BuildAPlane, said. “When we tell people that this gorgeous airplane was build by high schoolers, their jaws drop!”
“We are very proud of the work we did,” said 16-year old Brian White, a high school student from Washington state who helped build the aircraft. “The fact that our airplane will be on display during AirVenture is very cool!”
The Sportsman was constructed at the Glasair factory in Arlington, WA then painted by Epic Aircraft in Bend, OR. The airplane will begin touring the country in September. BuildAPlane works in formal partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration to promote aviation education.
BuildAPlane has been donating aircraft to schools at no charge since 2003. To date more than 120 aircraft have been placed across the country, giving kids a chance to build real airplanes in school. Aircraft restoration or construction projects are an effective way to motivate kids to learn science, technology, engineering and math.
BuildAPlane, in association with GAMA and EAA, will also host Teachers’ Day at AirVenture this year. More than 200 teachers from across the United States have registered to attend presentations on a variety of opportunities to get their students interested in aviation.
For more information, visit www.BuildAPlane.org or call 804-843-3321.
