According to figures released by EAA and AOPA the aviation community is
shrinking from over 800,000 pilots 10 years ago to less than 650,000 now! One of the reasons for this is that we have to compete with
all of the other things that appeal to the younger segment of the
population.
|
Gary Sampson - Pedal Plane Kits. |
Younger people get introduced to a great many things as
they grow up, but few are introduced to aviation. A company in Cedar
Rapids Iowa has just the thing to help cure this problem.
Gary Sampson of Aviation Products provides plans and kits for aircraft
which can be completed in as little as 50 hours, are very affordable,
require no special tools, and can be built with no more knowledge than
that required to build a wooden model aircraft.
The kits are available in various configurations including bi-planes,
WWII replicas, and even a jet model! No license is required to operate
them, no FAA inspections, and they are eco-friendly as they are human
powered.
But the best thing about them is that they get young people involved
in aviation at the ripe old age of 3!
Gary offers kits, and plans for Pedal Plane Kits. Various models are
available which take on the character and mystique of conventional aircraft like the
P51, Piper Cub, Beechraft, Pietenpol, G B, etc.
Builders can fabricate
all of the parts from the plans supplied, or can opt for quick build
kits which include, all of the C & C routered wood with all the holes
drilled and steel components, such as the crankshaft for spinning the
prop, steering linkages. A sheet metal kit that has the cowlings, and a
hardware kit with all of the necessary nuts, bolts, propeller
accessories.
The planes when power is added via a youngster pedal down the road,
with prop spinning and wheels turning, while the newly soloed pilot
steers via the joy stick.
Pedal Plane Kits have been on the market for over 25 years, with Gary
purchasing the company four years ago. There are currently 11 different
11 Pedal Plane kits.
For more information you can contact Gary evenings and weekends at
319-393-5256. |
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)