"The Aviator" Handed Over To Challenge Air At Last Week's Show

Personnel with Cutter Aviation tell ANN it was in the spirit of giving something back to the community that the family-owned FBO chain donated its 80th Anniversary Custom Chopper "The Aviator" to aviation charity Challenge Air. The custom motorcycle was handed over to the organization last week at NBAA 2008 in Orlando.

Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Challenge Air utilizes occupational, recreational, and educational therapy through flying, inspiring thousands of special needs, challenged young people to soar above their perceived challenges. Challenge Air for Kids and Friends was founded for the purpose of giving these young people a chance and a choice to see the world from a different view... a view from the sky.

Challenge Air volunteers work with children and their families to experience flight during these uplifting and positive events across America where more than 200 children at each event get the opportunity to take the controls and experience the independence of soaring above the ground. Cutter Aviation personnel tell ANN the custom-built "The Aviator" motorcycle will be used as a fundraiser to support Challenge Air, and its mission.

"We are so excited to be chosen by Cutter as the recipient of the chopper – the history it represents is priceless and the eventual result of the fundraiser we choose for it will be an incredible help to our programs and the kids that take flight with us!" said Byron Lazlo, Executive Director of Challenge Air.

Cutter will also partner with Challenge Air to host events at every city served by its FBO locations through the Southwest. An event was held on September 20 at Cutter's Dallas Executive location, and another is currently being planned for February 7, 2009 at the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport location. For many cities, it will be the first time a Challenge Air event has been held in the area.

"We’re so glad to help," said Cutter President Will Cutter. "The inspiration that these events provide makes all the hard work that the volunteers and Cutter team members put in well worth it! It’s exciting to be part of it."

Immediately following the announcement at NBAA, Cutter also drew the winner of the custom-painted 2008 Honda VTX1300C motorcycle, given away to a lucky attendee of the show. The winner, Cal Thompson of Tampa, FL, was drawn from over 700 entries collected during the show.

FMI: www.cutteraviation.com, www.challengeair.com