The federal sequester will certainly have an impact on EAA AirVenture, coming up in July in Oshkosh, Wis., chairman Jack Pelton told AVweb on Thursday in a podcast interview, but he’s sure the show will go on as usual. Pelton also said the search for a new president to replace Rod Hightower is on hold at least until after AirVenture. “There’s no timeline,” he said. “As a retired volunteer, I can spend as much time as necessary to keep the organization going.” The extra tower staff for AirVenture is generally provided by volunteer controllers, he said, so even if the contract operation is closed, he expects the tower will run as usual. Pelton also said he’s “a little bit pessimistic” about getting the EAA/AOPA Class III medical exemption request approved.
EAA also announced on Thursday a new partnership with Sennheiser as the first commercial sponsor for EAA’s Eagle Flights program, which works to introduce adults to general aviation flying and help them overcome obstacles in their flight training. Sennheiser will provide financial resources as well as outreach assistance. The EAA program is in sync with Sennheiser’s Live Your Dream effort, which launched in 2011. “Both programs provide a wealth of resources designed to educate and motivate, while bringing the possibility of attaining a pilot’s license one step closer,” said Sennheiser spokesman Christian Pulm. Jeff Skiles, EAA’s director of education programs, told AVweb he is developing a new discount-priced online ground school for the Eagle Flights program that will be available soon.
