Looking for a reason to spread your wings and visit a new airport in North Carolina? Operation: Fly NC may be just the ticket.

Launched in April ‘2009 by Tom Freeman (whom many of you know from our visits to the NCDOT Division of Aviation), Operation: Fly NC is designed to encourage general aviation pilots to visit 81 public use airports in the State, tour NC aviation museums, and participate in pilot training events.

At each location you’ll find a rubber stamp to mark your official “Operation: Fly NC booklet.” The more locations you visit, the bigger the incentive (which includes everything from flight bags to flight watches):

• Gold Level: Fly to all 81 airports in the official “Operation: Fly NC” booklet, attend four pilot safety seminars and visit four museums.
• Silver Level: Fly to 60 airports in the official “Operation: Fly NC” booklet, attend three pilot safety seminars and visit three museums.
• Bronze Level: Fly to 30 airports in the official “Operation: Fly NC” booklet, attend one safety seminar and visit one museum.

It’s a great way to expand your flight experiences while promoting general aviation and local tourism. To learn more about the program or to request an official booklet, visit the web site at OperationFlyNC.com

And if flying across the “border” is your thing, the State of Virginia operates a similar program called Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Program. You can pick up an ambassador’s “passport” at most FBO’s in VA. For additional information on their program, visit http://www.doav.virginia.gov/vaap.htm