FAA, Build A Plane Join Forces For Students

Are you one of the thousands of pilots who owns an unfinished kit project, or an old airplane growing rusty at a tie-down? The FAA has partnered with Build A Plane to help match those assets with high-school students to help them learn about aviation maintenance, math, science and engineering. The owners get a tax deduction, the students and their teachers get a great resource. “This program has the potential to help build the next generation of world-class American aerospace workers,” said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. The two organizations will work together to promote teacher workshops, career expositions and conferences, and develop a computer-based aircraft construction and flight-testing program for students. Build A Plane, founded by Lyn Freeman, solicits donations of real aircraft, then redirects those airplanes to schools across the country. Currently, there are 20 projects underway in the United States, plus others in India and Nigeria. Supporters who have joined the board of Build A Plane include Cessna CEO Jack Pelton, Cirrus Design CEO Alan Klapmeier, aerobatics champion Patty Wagstaff, CNN news anchor Miles O’Brien, general manager of Textron Lycoming Ian Walsh and EAA’s vice president of education, Dr. Lee Siudzinksi.