Sawyer Aviation Has The Right Idea

Aero-News has learned Scottsdale, AZ-based Sawyer Aviation is donating a portion of their Discovery Flight gift certificate proceeds for December to the state chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"We want to provide a truly unique experience that gives someone the opportunity to discover aviation and enjoy the wonderful sense of freedom that comes from flying in a private plane," said Sawyer Aviation President Chad Verdaglio. "At the same time, we want to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as Sawyer Aviation has been a supporter of CFF for a number of years due to their remarkable dedication to seeing that 90% of all monies donated go directly to research and help find a cure."

The school's Discovery Flight program -- ranging from $49 introductory flights covering the basics, up to more elaborate Explorer-level trips over the Red Rocks surrounding the northern AZ town of Sedona (below right) -- is designed to introduce people who may have never considered piloting -- or even flying in -- a small aircraft the opportunity to experience the wonders of flight.

In December, those people can take additional comfort in knowing they are helping fight a dreadful disease.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.

More than 10 million Americans are unknowing, symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's website.

An individual must inherit two defective CF genes -- one from each parent -- to have CF.

FMI: www.sawyeraviation.com, www.cff.org