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                                          Fly Iowa Challenge - 2008 and Beyond

Ankeny, Iowa, April 17, 2008.  Work Underway to again hold Fly Iowa Challenge.  Stay tuned for announcements of the new contest

Rules and Registration information is available at each Iowa airport or on the web at www.flyiowa.org under the Fly Iowa Challenge tab.

The Iowa Aviation Promotion Group is an Iowa 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation dedicated to the growth, education, and development of aviation in Iowa. More information is availabler on the web at www.flyiowa.org

Next IAPG Meeting

The next IAPG meeting will be held May 16, 2008 at 2:30 pm at Exec 1 Aviation at the Ankeny, Iowa Airport. For those who wish to participate but unable to attend in person, a teleconference number has been established for the meeting. Please send an e-mail to <info@iowaflighttraining.com> to request teleconference access. 

During the meeting current and prospective projects will be discussed including the Fly Iowa Challenge.

                            2008 Youth Camps Planned for Several Host Airport Locations

In 2007, six Iowa Aviation Youth Camps were held at five Iowa locations including Ankeny, Mason City Knoxville, and Keokuk.  A total of 187 youngsters were able to attend the camps

Iowa Aviation Youth Camps are short day camps of about four and one half hours in length designed to be hosted by by various host airports throughout the state. The camps had four learning modules focusing on such topics as Airplanes and Aerodynamics, The Airport Facility including a tour, Flight Planning and Weather, Aviation Careers, and finally, an EAA Young Eagle Flight.

The morning's activities conclude with the ever popular pizza luncheon. The response to the camps from both parent and kids has been terrific! These programs make friends for aviation, airports, and FBO operators.  For 2008, we hope to expand the number of camps held at various airport locations throughout Iowa. It takes a bit of organizational effort but it is well worth it. There is even some grant money available to underwrite most of the costs of holding a camp. Contact Chuck McDonald of IAPG for full details at <chuckdsmcc@aol.com> or call 515-964-1398

The first 2008 camp was hosted at Spencer on March 15.  Camps are scheduled for Mason City on June 14 and Ankeny on June 28.

                            2008 Teachers Workshop Scheduled for June 10 and 11

The Des Moines Public Schools Aviation Laboratory at Des Moines International Airport is the site for the program aimed at teachers who want learn how to incorporate aviation into instruction of all kinds of subjects but particularly math, science, and technology. One day of "how to" academic instruction will be given and the second day will be a field tour day of Des Moines Airport facilities.  Further information about the workshop is featured on this site's education pages including a link for enrollment. To enroll on-line, go to www.aea11.k12.ia.us and scroll down to "professional Development Courses"  The workshop is titled "Aviation Education for the 21st Century".

              Click on Fly Iowa 2004 thumbnail pictures above to enlarge to full size

                                       IAPGI SEEKS FLY IOWA BENEFACTOR MEMBERS

The IAPG Board is seeking membership approval of By-laws amendments to create a new top-tier membership in IAPG to be known as Fly Iowa Benefactor Membership.  These memberships will provide membership recognition as an Official Sponsor of Fly Iowa and a seat on the IAPG Board of Directors.  The Office of  Aviation of the Iowa Department of Transportation has verbally committed to become the very first Fly Iowa Benefactor Member of IAPG by virtue of agreeing to the $1000 membership dues.

The purpose of the new memberships is to financially underwrite Fly Iowa in future years to provide for it's continuation as an Iowa tradition.  More will be forthcoming once the program is approved by IAPG members.