Day Of Aviation Set For Saturday

Willow Run Airport is offering a fun-filled day of aviation at its first open house on May 22, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. With a wide range of activities scheduled for aviation enthusiasts of all ages, this free event is intended to promote aviation education, recreation and safety.

"We are pleased to be partnering with the Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in an effort to increase safety and promote aviation in the State of Michigan," said Lester Robinson, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority.

"We're reaching out to the community to show them who we are and what we do. There are so many opportunities in aviation, from careers to hobbies," said Sean Brosnan, Director of Willow Run Airport. "This open house will allow the community to explore the various aspects of this industry."

In addition to free admission and free food, A Day of Aviation at Willow Run is also offering activities such as free discovery flights, history lessons -- including the legendary Tuskegee Airmen discussing their heroic contributions to World War II -- career seminars, facility tours, including the Air Traffic Control Tower and the Yankee Air Force Museum, and much more.

Pilots from all over the state are encouraged to fly in and take advantage of fuel discounts, as well as free on-site training and inspection opportunities with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Through the FAA's Wings Seminars, existing pilots who are looking to upgrade their licenses will have one hour of free flight time with an FAA instructor. Pilots can use their own planes or rent one on-site from the Eagle Flight Center. Completion of the Wings Seminar constitutes a bi-annual flight checkup. Pre-registration for this program is mandatory.

The FAA will also be offering Pilot Aircraft Courtesy Evaluations (PACE), which is a program that provides aircraft safety inspections without the risk of penalties. Pilots and aircraft owners will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their problems with the FAA without their inspections being recorded.

"We are excited about this opportunity to open our facility as an outlet of resources in the aviation industry," said Brosnan. "There are so many agencies and companies that serve Willow Run on a daily basis and now the public will get to experience some of the intricate details of airport operations."

Other participants contributing to A Day of Aviation include the Michigan Institute of Aeronautics, Black Eagle Aviation, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Willow Run Jet Center, AV Fuel, the Great Lakes International Aviation Conference, Eagle Flight Center and Eastern Michigan University, the Black Pilots Association, and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA).

FMI: www.WillowRunAirport.com