EAAer Plans Fun Flight To Mark His 50th Birthday

When Paul Wood turned 50 in February, he wanted to mark the milestone by doing something fun, interesting, and challenging that would also benefit those less fortunate. On July 1, he'll get his chance as he embarks on a flight around the United States to raise $250,000 for the Children's Home & Aid Society of Illinois (CHASI). It's called the Around the Country For Kids flight.

"I hope to combine my two passions-aviation and work for at-risk kids-and fly all the way around the perimeter of the (contiguous) United States," said Wood, a member of both EAA and Warbirds of America. He begins the 33-state flight in his new Aviat Husky A1-B on July 1 from his home airport, Waukegan (IL) Regional (UGN). Following a stop to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, the Lake Forest, Illinois resident will fly up the western Lake Michigan shoreline to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, then peel back counterclockwise for his flight around the country's outer rim. The trip should cover about 9,350 miles and span 25 days.

He will navigate by using the three Rs-roads, rivers, and railroads -- "like the barnstormers and airmail carriers did during aviation's Golden Age," he said. If all goes as planned, Wood will finish the flight just in time for EAA AirVenture 2004, where he'll fly in air shows with the Warbirds of America in his L-39 Albatross. Wood also owns and flies a 1941 Stearman, an L-19 Bird Dog, a T-28, and a T-2 Buckeye (one of only two in civilian hands), and his "station wagon," a King Air 90.

A partner and co-founder of Madison Dearborn Partners, one of the largest equity investment and leveraged buyout firms in the United States, Wood will match the first $100,000 in pledges.

If you'd like to make a pledge to Around the Country For Kids, call 312-424-6809, or e-mail ealtmin@chasi.org .

FMI: www.eaa.org