SMETHPORT (EC) — Have you
ever dreamed of learning to fly? Are you an aviation buff looking to
meet new friends? Perhaps you are a civic-minded person seeking a
rewarding way of making a positive impact on the community? In any case,
McKean Aviation wants you.
Founded in 1958, McKean Aviation is a
non-profit organization based at the Bradford Regional Airport and
comprised of pilots, aircraft owners and others who share a common
passion for aviation and are dedicated to promoting general aviation
interests. “It is a general aviation advocacy organization,” said Jim
Neely, a spokesperson for the organization.
Having recently
reorganized, McKean Aviation is joining forces with the Experimental
Aircraft Association, an international group of aviation enthusiasts
that has grown over the years and now includes almost every phase of
aviation and aeronautics. “The move is expected to bring a wealth of
educational and promotional expertise to our local group,” said Neely.
Neely emphasized that the two organizations will remain separate.
Working
in cooperation with airport management and the Bradford Regional
Airport Authority, McKean Aviation intends to grow general aviation
representation on the field by promoting new pilot starts, providing
opportunities for continuing pilot safety education, partnering with the
airport on improvements and developing programs geared toward youth
involvement. At the same time, McKean Aviation recognizes its role in
promoting economic development at the airport.
Neely said, “We
want to build a stronger relationship between the airport authority and
pilots, management and pilots and pilots themselves.”
Support for
this goal has come in a meeting with County Commissioner Joe DeMott,
airport authority chairman, and Mike Glesk, a member of the airport
advisory committee.
Bradford has a legendary and colorful
aviation history with roots dating back to C. Taylor and Taylorcraft,
and William Piper of Piper Aircraft Corporation, pioneers in making the
dream of flying a reality.
“We want to share our passion for
aviation and spark an interest in others to join us,” Neely said. “We
also want our communities to renew their love for their airport. One of
our first goals will be to develop an annual aviation celebration event
at the airport for everyone to attend and enjoy.”
Alicia
Dankesreiter, the airport’s interim director, has been really receptive
to this goal and is “very willing to cooperate with us,” Neely said.
Neely
has sent a “challenge” letter to local aviation enthusiasts in which he
mentioned his observations and comments from pilots about the
importance of becoming partners with the airport authority and
management in working toward same goals. In that letter, Neely wrote,
“To build a bright future for general aviation at the Bradford Regional
Airport we recognize it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. I
hope you will join us.”
According to Neely, “I’ve been well-pleased with the response to the letter. It has been excellent.”
Due
in large part to that letter, 16-17 people — almost half of them are
pilots — are now attending McKean Aviation’s monthly meetings on the
second Thursday at 7 p.m. at the airport’s conference room. Neely said,
“A lot of people, such as Mike Kocjancic, Dave Zuckerman and Bruce Klein
are stepping up and taking their turns at the plate.”
For more information, contact Neely at 837-8424 or Klein at 642-9486.
- Source: http://www.bradfordera.com
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