Giving away airplanes is, hands down, one of the best parts of my job. Who wouldn’t love handing an enthusiastic pilot the keys to his or her own aircraft? Whether it’s a brand new airplane or one we’ve refurbished and upgraded to “better than new” condition, I develop a real fondness for every airplane we give away.
But our 2012 sweepstakes is particularly special. The airplane represents the fun, versatility, and resilience of general aviation. And it holds a personal appeal for me.
At the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In this past April, I watched as a brand-new Aviat Husky was bounced around by a powerful and unexpected storm. (We captured what happened in what has become one of the most-viewed videos on AOPA Live.)
That’s when N40WY became the “Tougher than a Tornado” Husky. With the encouragement of John McKenna, president of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, we acquired the airplane, restored it to “better than new condition,” and made it our 2012 AOPA sweepstakes aircraft.
Since then, N40WY has crisscrossed the country—the first of many long treks it will make over the coming year as we share it with AOPA members, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts at events nationwide.
The first time I saw a Husky, I just knew it would be fun to fly. I’ve been flying for more than 40 years and I had never flown a tailwheel airplane—nor had I enjoyed the incredible view you get when your passenger is seated behind you.
Lucky for me, a low-time 1998 Aviat Husky appeared on the market at about the same time we were working out the details of our 2012 sweepstakes aircraft. What a great opportunity! I could learn in my very own Husky—and I wouldn’t have to give it away in 12 short months.
By the way, my first impression of the Husky was right. They are incredibly fun to fly.
I look forward to periodically joining our sweepstakes Husky during its travels over the course of the next year. So, if you find yourself at an aviation event or just visiting a peaceful grass strip, and you see two yellow Huskys parked side by side, with two smiling pilots nearby, you’ll know you’ve found your 2012 sweepstakes airplane and caught me stepping out of my routine and into the fun of flying.
Related Articles
