Aviation Appreciation Days set for Sept. 12-13

GREENCASTLE -- Young people ages 8 to 17 are invited for a free airplane ride during the annual Airport Appreciation Days at the Putnam County Airport on Sept. 12 and 13.

The Experimental Airplane Association (EAA) Chapter 1374 and Dixie Chopper Business Center and the Putnam County Board of Aviation sponsor the event.

Students wishing to take advantage of the free rides must have a registration form completed and signed by a parent or guardian at the airport prior to the ride.

Adults and children under the age of eight may also have an airplane ride for a nominal fee.

On Saturday and Sunday, there will be paid helicopter rides as well as hot air balloon rides. These are available for all ages.

Final Approach Bistro will serve food and drinks in the hangar both days.

If there are weather issues, activities will still take place in the hangar.

Those participating will fly free and receive an official Young Eagle certificate. Their name will then be entered in the world's largest logbook at EAA headquarters in Oshkosh, Wis.

The EAA is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds.

Founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee who were interested in building their own airplanes.

Over time, the organization expanded to include antique, classic, war birds, aerobatic aircraft, ultra lights, helicopters and contemporary manufactured aircraft.

More importantly, the EAA focus on people, offering the opportunity to make new aviation friends and form relationships while encouraging the sharing of information.

People who don't make or own their own aircraft are welcome to join the EAA. There are plenty activities for fliers and non-fliers alike.

Located adjacent to EAA's headquarters in Oshkosh, the EAA Air Venture Museum is an enormous collection of aircraft and aviation displays.

It is home to more than 200 aircraft, of which more than 90 are on display inside the museum at any time.

The museum's Pioneer Airport is a recreation of a vintage aerodrome, with more than 40 additional airplanes on display.

From May through mid-October flights are offered in vintage aircraft.

The EAA also sponsors the Young Eagles program, which was started in 1972 with the aim of giving one million children an airplane ride by Dec. 17, 2003, the Centennial of Flight.