A Little 'Fun-Flying' Among The Biz World

While the primary focus of the NBAA's annual convention is, understandably, business aviation... that's no reason not to have a little fun, too.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is once again bringing a little fun flying to the nation's largest business aviation gathering, as a new, fully equipped 2007 Aviat Husky will be the centerpiece of EAA's display at the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention, being held October 17-19 at Orlando, FL.

The Husky is the grand prize in the 2007 EAA Aircraft Sweepstakes. This long-running sweepstakes offers aviation enthusiasts the chance to win a brand new airplane, and provides valuable support for EAA's education and aircraft preservation missions.

The airplane will be awarded on Sunday, July 29, 2007 -- the final day of EAA AirVenture 2007 at Oshkosh, WI.

In 2005, an Aviat Husky that would become the sweepstakes grand prize at EAA AirVenture 2006 was towed through the streets of Orlando in the wee hours of the morning, just prior to the start of the NBAA convention. It was a very popular display during the event and at the other aviation events it appeared over the succeeding months. At EAA AirVenture 2006, Dan Horton of Wetumpka, AL had his sweepstakes ticket drawn as the winner of the airplane, which was mounted on new Wipaire floats.

"While the NBAA convention is focused on aviation business, we know there is a passion for flying here, as there is within EAA," said EAA president Tom Poberezny, who will be attending the NBAA event and participating in various activities.  "We appreciate the support from members of the aviation industry and other companies that believe in EAA's mission and programs, who have made this sweepstakes possible.  Judging by the wonderful response to the Aviat Husky grand prize at the 2005 NBAA convention, we know many attendees have their own dreams owning such an airplane."

This year's grand-prize Husky donated by Aviat Aircraft Inc. is a true backcountry dream machine -- with a 180-horsepower Lycoming engine and Hartzell constant-speed propeller. The airplane is mounted on Alaskan Bushwheels 31-inch tundra tires, making it perfect for landing on nearly any surface. Along with AmSafe airbag shoulder harness restraints and Oregon Aero's comfortable seat cushion system, the aircraft also includes full Garmin GPS, transponder and communications avionics, plus XM music and weather radio.

All of these features and modifications to the Husky were donated by the companies -- making this sweepstakes a true aviation industry-supported event.

Sweepstakes entry coupons will be available at the EAA display, located at exhibit #971 at the NBAA convention, and will also be available to EAA members and other aviation enthusiasts starting later this year. Other donated prizes for the 2007 sweepstakes include a John Deere tractor, Bose Wave radio, Canon digital camera, and Honda ST1300 motorcycle.

EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and 1,000 local Chapters.

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.nbaa.org