NEWS RELEASE March 11, 2014
For more information contact:
John Chmiel
Wausau Flying Service
715-845-3400
CHARITY FLYING CHALLENGE AT THE WAUSAU DOWNTOWN AIRPORT
Landings For Lunches
Airplane pilots will have an opportunity to compete in a landing contest during the entire month of May 2014 at the Wausau Downtown Airport. Proceeds from the 2nd Annual “Landings For Lunches” will benefit The Neighbors’ Place.
Bob Mohr was the winner of “Landings for Lunches” 2013 landing within 6” of the mark in his Piper PA12. The event raised over $2000 as well as a large number of non-perishable food items.
Several local businesses sponsor the contest and contribute matching cash to increase the donations: Christian Family Medical Clinic, Kocourek Automotive Group, Phillips 66, The Neighbors’ Place, Wausau Flying Service, the City of Wausau, Security Realty, Mohr’s Automotive, First Impressions, and Aircraft Maintenance of Wausau.
Pilots will donate one dollar and a non-perishable food item (or an additional dollar) each time they compete. Donations will be split between prize money and contributions to The Neighbors’ Place. Aviators will be able to compete as many times as they wish each day. Weekends the contest will take place between 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. , and weekdays the contest will take place between 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. while judges are present.
The goal is landing accuracy. Pilots will attempt to land with their main wheels on or as close as possible to a box marked on the runway. For each entry fee, they will be allowed two attempts. During the time the contest is underway, a scoreboard will be displayed in the office of Wausau Flying Service, as well as the accumulated food donations for The Neighbor’s Place.
Pilots from other communities are welcome to participate. At the end of the month, the person with the best score of accurate landings will win the cash entry fees for the month and will have his or her name engraved on a trophy to be displayed at the Wausau Downtown Airport. Weekly prizes will be awarded to the “Winner of the Week”. The Neighbors’ Place will receive the accumulated food and any additional cash donations from the month-long event.
Corporate sponsorships are available. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Wausau Flying Service.
The goal of the contest is to improve flying skills and safety while making a charitable contribution to benefit the community, as well as help the public become more informed about general aviation.
Interested aviators are invited to attend an informational session and safety seminar on April 6th at 9:00 AM at the airport, for tips on landing accuracy from local certified flight instructors. The seminar qualifies for training credit from the Federal Aviation Administration under the WINGS program.