Southwest Airlines To Make AirVenture Maiden Voyage

By Deborah Grigsby

Dallas-based carrier Southwest Airlines has announced it plans an additional stop this week in Wisconsin, and it's not at the usual gate in Milwaukee. This year, the "lovable" low-fare airline will be joining EAA for the first time at AirVenture 2010.

The highlight of Southwest's participation will be the late-week arrival of one of the airline's newer Boeing 737-700s, which will arrive Saturday, July 31. And to commemorate the occasion the airframe will feature a unique decal and will be open for tours throughout the day.

"Southwest Airlines is honored to participate in the greatest aviation event in the world," said Chuck Magill, Southwest's Vice President of Flight Operations. "Besides being the ultimate aviation event in the world, AirVenture is the largest event in Wisconsin, and our participation reflects our excitement to be a part of the great state of Wisconsin through our service to Milwaukee."

According to information posted on the airline's official blog, the plane will arrive at AeroShell Square at 0800. It will be on display for the day, and depart at the end of Saturday's air show.

"We are really excited about the 2010 Air Venture because this year, one of those modern airliners attending the show will be one of our 737-700s," writes Brian Lusk, a Southwest Airlines customer communications specialist and official blogger for the company's Web site. "We will be offering tours of the aircraft and will have employee volunteers to meet with visitors, and our experts will be on hand to discuss the new RNP (Required Navigational Performance) system installed on the aircraft."

In addition joining the usual fare of festivities, Southwest is also on hand to help EAA further its goal of spreading passion about aviation. Founded in 1992, the EAA Young Eagles program was created to give interested young people between the ages of eight and 17 an opportunity to fly in a general aviation aircraft. The flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers.

In an effort to raise money for the program, the EAA's Share the Spirit Sweepstakes will raffle a series of items to include its grand prize, an Aviat Husky A-1C airplane. Entries are $1 per chance and the drawing will be held Aug. 1, 2010. All proceeds go to EAA initiatives that enable members to help grow aviation by sharing the spirit of flight with the next generation of aviators.

Since 1992, more than 1.5 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a flight through the program. Young Eagles have been registered in more than 90 different countries and have been flown by more than 42,000 volunteer pilots.

FMI: www.airventure.org/sweepstakes, www.southwest.com