EAA To Host Deaf Aviation Academy In August

June 15, 2005 - The Deaf Pilots Association is holding its first-ever Deaf Aviation Academy from August 10-19 at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This program is designed to provide new experiences and personal growth to deaf and hearing-impaired youths between the ages of 14 and 18 who have a passion for aviation. Participants will develop their teamwork, leadership, and aviation skills as they enhance their personal self-image.

Members of the Deaf Pilots Association and experienced EAA staff will run the Academy. EAA staff also will oversee activities such as orientation flights, an abbreviated ground school, flight simulation, and hands-on science and fabrication projects.

The attending deaf and hearing-impaired youths will come away with a renewed belief in themselves and their future, as well as many great new friendships. They'll also discover that being deaf or hearing-impaired need not disqualify them from becoming a pilot. (In fact, the first pilot to fly across the United States - Calbraith Rodgers - was deaf!)

Academy participants will stay in the beautiful EAA Air Academy Lodge, which offers comfortable accommodations in a friendly atmosphere. For more information, or to access registration materials, visit the EAA Air Academy website at http://www.youngeagles.org/programs/airacademy/deafclass.asp.