Two teams of four high school students each have traveled to Arlington, Washington, for a very different form of summer camp. The eight campers won’t leave until they have built an airplane — at least to the stage where it will start its engine and taxi. Glasair’s “Two Weeks to Taxi” program is designed to give buyers a jump start on their GlaStar kitplanes. But in this case, the airplane will be built by the kids.
Four come from Saline, Michigan High School, and four from Canby (Minnesota) High School. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) sponsors the program, which it believes is a vital component in stimulating student interest in aviation.
All eight young aviation enthusiasts participated in a design contest co-operated by GAMA and the Build A Plane program. They won the trip all expenses paid, and will also visit the nearby Boeing factory and the Boeing Museum of Flight. It is expected that the GlaStar will have its test flight period completed in time to be flown to this summer’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show.
