Deaf Pilots Association comes to Manitowoc 2009

The annual Deaf Pilots Association fly-in will be held in Manitowoc. We won the bid while presenting in St.Louis in 2007 where about about 30 pilots ranging from experience, student pilots to retired pilots. 2008’s fly in was held in Corona, CA – now that the fun of attending is over, we are ready to roll up our shirt sleeves and get to work for a very exciting event. In the past the fly-in has been scheduled in June. Due to our close proximity to the EAA we will be scheduling the event to overlap at the end of the EAA festivities, last weekend in July.

In the meantime, hubby will be working hard on the written test and check-ride this year so that he can soar with his buddies. Some great fly-outs are being scheduled. We are hoping to invite the public to a discussion panel to learn about Deaf pilots and their accomplishments. We have several pilots that have passed their rating for IFR (Instrument Flight Rating). Most pilots are rated at the VFR (Visual Flying Rating). Both hearing pilots and Deaf people have questions about flying without a radio.

The DPA website has great information for those wanting more.

We are excited to show off our town. I’m not really that into aviation, I have labeled myself the supporting wife. After having been to just two other fly-ins I’ve come to totally appreciate our airport. Manitowoc’s airport can’t even compare to the others I have been to. They were so unkept and dirty. It was almost scary.

The hangars and Lakeshore Aviation FBO in Manitowoc are clean and attractive which results in such a welcoming feel. The others, um… well not so welcoming. Again, I’m just the supportive wife, so the luxuries I desire might be much more than a pilot just looking to fly.

More information will be here – if you want to get involved, just let me know.