Wings, Wheels and Water

For Immediate Release (7-17-15)

SUN ‘n FUN Showcasing High School PiLOTS

SUN ‘n FUN is proud to introduce the 2015 Lakeland AeroClub members arriving at EAA AirVenture.  Ten (10) pilots under the age of 21 are flying from Lakeland, FL to Oshkosh, WI in aircraft that include “Miss Adair”, a 1956 Piper Pacer formerly owned by SUN ‘n FUN’s 1^st President Billy Henderson; a 1953 Piper Super Cub brought back to flying status by Lakeland AeroClub members in the Buehler Restoration Skills Center, a 1964 Cessna C-150, a 1946 Cessna-140, and SUN ‘n FUN’s 1966 C-182.  The pilots and their aircraft can be found in Vintage Parking, Row 71 with an anticipated arrival on Saturday morning, July 18^th.  Each of the pilots are also new members of EAA and AOPA.

Meet the SUN ‘n FUN teen pilots in Oshkosh:

Wednesday, July 22^nd 10:00 a.m. Vintage Red Barn

EAA Youth Programs

Thursday, July 23^rd 10:30 a.m.  Brown Archway

Photo Session with Jack Pelton, President EAA Chairman of the Board and

John R. “Lites” Leenhouts, President/CEO, SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc.

Thursday, July 23^rd 3:00 p.m. AOPA Exhibit Tent, Main Aircraft Display Booth 463

Photo Session with Mark Baker, President/CEO AOPA and John R. “Lites” Leenhouts

Thursday, July 23^rd EAA AirVenture Showcase during the Airshow (Time TBD)

With Announcer John R. “Lites” Leenhouts

Monday – Saturday, SUN ‘n FUN Exhibit C3012/3013

Contact Mike Zidzunias at 941-915-8883 for student interviews

SUN ‘n FUN’s mission is to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages.  Having certificated 35 teenage high school private pilots in the last 2 years, SUN ‘n FUN’s new goal is to certificate 25 pilots per year through their scholarship programs. Visit the SUN ‘n FUN exhibit for your personal introduction to the Aerospace Center for Excellence learn more about the scholarship and education opportunities including the Piedmont Aerospace Experience, a fully-functional Boeing 727 Learning Laboratory.

Mark your calendar for the 42^nd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo

April 5-10, 2016

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SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL.  Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities and used to support on-going scholarship funding.

NEWS RELEASE
(photos available on request)

July 15, 2015

Embry-Riddle Hosts Interactive Unmanned Experience, Aerobatic Pilot Matt Chapman at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Attendees Invited to Test Speed, Obstacle Skills with Drones in sUAS Challenge

WHAT: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 attendees can get hands-on experience at the controls of unmanned flying machines as part of the Small Unmanned Aerospace System (sUAS) Challenge during this year’s fly-in at the 63rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention.

The sUAS Challenge, which will include both obstacle and speed courses for the unmanned flying vehicles commonly referred to as drones, will be part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s aviation mobile interactive exhibit, the Embry-Riddle Experience.

The competition is open to participants ages 12 and older with previous experience flying unmanned systems. With a maximum of 15 competitors registered each day on a first-come, first-served basis, each day’s challenge will be held separately at the drone cage at Aviation Gateway Park, beginning with an afternoon operators’ meeting followed by competition from 3 to 5 p.m. Qualification flying will be followed by an elimination bracket for the final four competitors each day.

The 53-foot trailer known as the Embry-Riddle Experience also includes unmanned aircraft demonstrations, aviation and unmanned simulators, a virtual crash lab and information about the university’s more than 75 degree programs, with presentations on how Embry-Riddle students, staff and faculty are leading the way into the future of aerospace and aviation.

Simulators in the Embry-Riddle Experience provide a variety of fixed-wing, rotary and multirotor aircraft models in realistic operating settings such as airfield and steep soaring slope locales in the bayou, desert and mountains.

Another unique feature of the Embry-Riddle Experience is the Virtual Crash Lab (VLAB), which was developed in conjunction with the university’s Aircraft Accident Investigation curriculum and is designed to allow participants to interactively inspect a crashed commercial aircraft. Operators can move and survey the crash site, inspect the fuselage and debris and take photos with the use of Oculus Goggles.

Also scheduled is an appearance by world-renowned aerobatic performer Matt Chapman sponsored by Embry-Riddle. Chapman has been performing in air shows and competitions since 1984. Autograph signings throughout the week at the Embry-Riddle Experience will be scheduled.

Those who wish to participate in the sUAS Challenge must register in advance at thirtyad@erau.edu or during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at the Embry-Riddle Experience exhibit at Aviation Gateway Park before 2 p.m. the day of the challenge. Unmanned aircraft will be supplied for competitors courtesy of Hobbico and Horizon Hobby LCC including Blade 180QX HD or Dromida Ominus systems. Weather or other factors may cause alterations or cancellation of each day’s competition.

WHEN: July 20-26, 2015; Daily sUAS Challenge competitions will be held beginning July 19, the day before AirVenture’s opening day, through July 26. Matt Chapman performs July 20-26 (check daily schedule for times).

WHERE: Wittman Regional Airport, 1145 W. 20th Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54902. The Embry-Riddle Experience will be located at Aviation Gateway Park within event property. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s information and alumni booth will be located at booths 49, 50, 59, 60 and 61.

INFORMATION:

• EAA AirVenture/Oshkosh: org/en/airventure
• sUAS Challenge: registration form and official rules
• Matt Chapman: com
• Embry-Riddle unmanned and other degree programs: edu/degrees
• Embry-Riddle Alumni Relations and events: erau.edu

MEDIA CONTACTS:

• Melanie Hanns, Director of University Communications/Media Relations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; (386) 226-7538, (386) 283-0753; hanns@erau.edu
• Dick Knapinski, EAA Communications, (920) 426-6523; dknapinski@eaa.org

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 75 baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and through online programs. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

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Melanie Hanns

Director of University Communications/Media Relations
Marketing & Enrollment Management

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona Beach, FL

hannsm@erau.edu

Office: (386) 226-7538

Cell: (386) 283-0753

This is pretty cool. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NASA FEMALE ROCKET SCIENTISTS TO ATTEND JULY 24 FORUM AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2015

Astronaut Sandra Magnus joined by executives and professionals from NASA industry

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 13, 2015) — Many advancements have been made in the field of space exploration due to the work of engineers, leaders and scientists. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 attendees can meet the women who are building tomorrow’s space exploration programs. Seven NASA rocket scientists will participate in a forum on Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m. in Forum Pavilion 9. The innovators will address their careers, current NASA mission plans, and answer audience questions.

Participants include:

Sandra Magnus – Astronaut on Atlantis, Endeavour and the International Space Station

Susan Baggerman – NASA’s Health and Medical Technical Authority for Orion

Janica Cheney – Director of Safety and Mission Assurance at Orbital ATK

Iylene Patino – Boeing

Kathryn Crowe – NASA Propulsion Systems Engineer

Julie Van Kleek – Vice President of the Advanced Space & Launch Business Unit for Aerojet Rocketdyne

Abby Harrison – Aspiring astronaut

Their objectives are to help women in STEM feel like the doors are wide open in the space industry and to engage a new audience in the deep space journey. This forum is part of a larger set of NASA forums celebrating NASA/NACA’s 100 year anniversary. The week’s forum schedule is as follows:

• Surviving Mars: Wednesday, July 22, 10 – 11:15 a.m. in Forum Pavilion 7
• Living in Deep Space: Wednesday, July 22, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. in Forum Pavilion 9
• Exploring Deep Space: Thursday, July 23, 10 – 11:15 a.m. in Forum Pavilion 4
• Space Trends Changing the Future: Thursday, July23, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. in Forum Pavilion 7
• Woman Rocket Scientists: Friday, July 24, 10 – 11:15 a.m. in Forum Pavilion 9
• Finding Life in Other Worlds: Friday, July 24, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. in Forum Pavilion

The scientists in the July 24 NASA Forum also add to the extraordinary females participating at EAA. Other AirVenture events celebrating women in aviation include: female aerobatic pilot performances, WomenVenture, Women Soar You Soar program, and featured guests. With different events every day, women can meet other aviation enthusiasts, be inspired, and enjoy the “World’s Largest Aviation Celebration.”

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

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