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'More than just a flying lesson'

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Jim Wang in his custom Waco flight jacket,
part of the monthly prize package

When AOPA member Jim Wang of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif., got to collect his prize as a monthly winner in the AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes, he got much more than just a flying lesson in an open-cockpit Waco biplane.

"Eric [Brunner of Red Rock Biplanes] guided me over the national forest land near Flagstaff, pointing out the scenic highlights: a ranch used as a movie site; a golf course that has repeatedly failed financially over decades, perhaps haunted by an Indian curse," wrote Wang of his experience. "Eric was also candid about his respect for the environment around Sedona and preserving it for future generations. It was more than just a flying lesson."

See the AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes Waco up close at AOPA Expo 2003.

Wang and the other monthly winners in the sweepstakes win a trip to Sedona for a half-day's flying in a Waco biplane very similar to the grand prize in the sweepstakes, a 1940 Waco UPF-7 open-cockpit biplane. The Sweepstakes Waco has been exactingly restored by Rare Aircraft of Owatonna, Minn., and will be the center of attention in the AOPA Expo 2003 static display area. It's worth approximately $250,000 and will be given away early in 2004.

Anyone who has joined or renewed membership in AOPA during the two-year sweepstakes period (January 1, 2002-December 31, 2003) is automatically entered to win. Complete rules and eligibility requirements are available at AOPA Online.

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