Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Fifth Annual "Day in the Sky" Event Returns to the South Bay


Sounds like a wonderful event!

(Via Press Release)
Shared Adventures of Santa Cruz, CA, and Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 119 of Watsonville, CA are pleased to announce the fifth annual 'Day In The Sky' at the Watsonville Airport, Watsonville, California, Saturday April 18, 2009, 9:00am-4:00pm.

-150 Young People with Disabilities and Special Needs to Receive Free Airplane Rides as part of the Watsonville EAA Chapter 119 Young Eagles program
-1000+ Visitors to Fifth Annual 'Accessibility Expo'

Approximately 35 private pilots will provide free, 30 minute airplane rides for 500 passengers, including 150 young people with a wide variet of disabilities and special needs, plus family and friends. The airplane rides will pass over points of local interest including the spectacular Santa Cruz County coastline, the historic Beach Boardwalk, and the magnificent springtime Watsonville countryside.

Each participant attends a brief E.A.A. pre-flight school session to learn basic aviation principles before flying. During the flight, each special needs child is encouraged to take the aircraft controls for short periods during the flight to experience the sense of empowerment that comes from controlling an aircraft.

Flights depart from the main terminal of the Watsonville Airport at 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, CA. First flight is scheduled for 9:30am. Last flight is approximately 4:00 pm.

Young people will be pre-registered through several local partner organizations. Registering partner organizations include California Children's Services, Children's Miracle Network, Easter Seals Central California, Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Association, JW House, Young Artists Studio, KidQuest, Make A Wish, Santa Cruz County Office of Education Special Education Dept., and Special Parents Information Network. Each organization is given a limited number of invitations and assigns them to appropriate participants.  Walk-in flights will be given if space permits, on a first-come, first-served basis.

A concurrent free Fun Fair & Accessibility Expo is scheduled, which will feature many vendors of assistive technologies, information from nonprofit organizations, and fun and educational interactive displays. The festival will also include music provided by a local DJ, clowns and face painters, accessible sports equipment demos, visits with live animals, free food and refreshments, and much more.

All event activities are free to participating children, families, friends, volunteers, and pilots. Day In The Sky is fully funded by corporate and private sponsors, vendor contributions, and merchandise sales. Individual and corporate monetary and in-kind donations and sponsorships are needed and are most welcome.

For information, to register as a volunteer or a pilot, or to make a donation, please see the Shared Adventures web site at www.dayinthesky.org or call 831/459-7210.