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Aviat Aircraft Provides Two Husky Airplanes As Official Ships For The National Air Tour 2003
Historic Flight Re-creation and U.S. Centennial of Flight Celebration Supported by the World’s Premier Utility Aircraft

Lakeland, Fla.
April 2, 2003

The Aviation Foundation of America, a full-partner in the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, today announced at the Sun ‘n Fun EAA Fly-In, that Aviat Aircraft of Afton, Wy., will provide two new Husky A-1B aircraft to serve as Official Ships on the National Air Tour 2003.

The National Air Tour 2003, being organized by the Foundation, is a re-creation of the National Air Tours that took place from 1925 through 1931. Beginning on Sept. 8 in Dearborn, Mich., the National Air Tour 2003 will visit 26 cities along a 4,000-mile route during a 17-day period, weather permitting. The original Tours helped build America’s modern system of air transportation by, in part, showcasing the latest advancements in aircraft design and promoting the safety and reliability of civil aviation.

“We’re thrilled that Aviat is providing two Huskys as Official Ships on the Air Tour. They’re fast, have incredible range and can get in and out of some very tight places,” said Greg Herrick, president of the Aviation Foundation of America and an experienced Husky pilot. “We simply couldn't think of a better aircraft for the critical role they’ll play.”

Role of the Aviat Husky Airplanes

As Official Ships of the National Air Tour 2003, the Aviat Huskys build on a tradition established more than 75 years ago. The airplanes will serve two critical roles similar to those played by Official Ships on the original Air Tours. The first Aviat Husky will function as a scout ship, departing each Tour stop approximately two hours ahead of the rest of the ships. The pilot will observe flying conditions, such as weather and airport conditions, and communicate those reports back to the other Tour ships. The second Husky will be the last ship to depart a given Tour stop, observing the ships in front. The pilot will report on, and offer assistance to any ship which may have to divert from the Tour route for any reason. The Husky airplanes will be painted in original National Air Tour paint schemes using the same colors as past Official Ships.

Pilots experienced in backcountry flying, navigation and weather observation skills will be assigned to fly the Huskys. The ships will be equipped with the latest radio communications, global positioning satellite navigational equipment with moving map displays, satellite telephones and first aid gear. On many legs of the Tour a second observer will be assigned to assist each pilot.

“Aviat is excited to be providing these two Husky aircraft as Official Ships for the National Air Tour,” said Stuart Horn, president of Aviat Aircraft. “The Husky was selected for this important role based on the factors that make them the aircraft of choice for pilots today — utility, responsiveness and versatility. It has a classic feel, but with modern performance.”

About the Aviat Husky A1-B

Conceptually based on the world-famous Super Cub but with improvements a modern pilot would want, the Aviat Husky is a tube-and-fabric utility aircraft designed to carry two people in comfort along with an extraordinary load. The versatile, long range Husky can be flown in and out of primitive clearings, ponds, rivers, beaches, glaciers, sand dunes and the occasional paved runway. Husky airplanes are being used as observation platforms by law enforcement agencies, power and gas companies and environmental protection agencies. Other pilots, including actor Harrison Ford, author Steven R. Koontz and test pilot Chuck Yeager, fly their Husky airplanes for the sheer joy of the experience.

“While the Husky is a very modern aircraft with many design enhancements, its rugged utility is similar to many of the original tour aircraft. We think it’s very appropriate that the Husky is a tube-and-fabric airplane, just as most of the original ships on the tour. The Husky is proof that much of the basic technology that was used during the era of the original National Air Tours is every bit as appropriate now as it was then,” Herrick said.

The Husky A-1B has a top speed of 145 mph and a range of up to 800 miles. It can takeoff in 200 feet and land in 300 feet. It can fly as high as 20,000 feet at a rate of 1,500 feet-per-minute. The average speed of ships on the Air Tour is 110 mph and the average range of Tour ships is 375 miles.

About the Aviation Foundation of America and the National Air Tour 2003

The National Air Tour 2003 is an all-volunteer effort being organized by the Aviation Foundation of America. In September 2003, the National Air Tour 2003 will feature more than 25 rare, vintage aircraft from the Golden Age of Aviation — the period in aviation history between the two World Wars. The Tour will celebrate the Centennial of Flight by bringing this living history to millions of Americans in 26 cities along a 17-day, 4,000-mile route, showing what aviation was like during this important period.

Minneapolis-based Aviation Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 public charity designed to preserve and promote America’s aviation heritage at a grassroots level through initiatives such as historic flight re-creations, airport preservation projects and educational programs. The Aviation Foundation of America is a full-partner in the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission along with the FAA, NASA and the Experimental Aircraft Association. www.AviatAircraft.com

For additional information about the National Air Tour 2003, visit www.NationalAirTour.org

Contact: national Air Tour logo

Suzanne Fedoruk
National Air Tour 2003
612-861-7807
sfedoruk@mn.rr.com



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