About
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757-354-2705
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info@tribute-aviation.com
Bringing Renewed Hope through Flight Experiences
Tribute Aviation is a nonprofit which serves combat Veterans through coordinating experiential therapy events centered around aviation. These events provide the opportunity for veterans and their families to come together in a relaxed environment and experience the thrill of flight. Our preferred aircraft for this is a veteran herself, the Boeing PT-17 Stearman (a WW II primary trainer). The Stearman is an open-cockpit biplane which provides a wonderful and visceral experience that is universally enjoyed.
Mission
Reduce Veteran suicides by providing a flight, free of charge, to combat/high risk Veterans. By providing an exciting and visceral therapeutic experience in a positive environment it is hoped that the Veteran will regain a sense of excitement for life in a low-stress, low-danger environment. “Back in the Fight” is our motto.
Secondary Mission: To expose youth/next generation to aviation. Provide a ‘hands on’ learning environment to get the next generation excited about aviation and give youth a tangible connection to history.
Founder’s Vision
Kurt has given hundreds of airplane rides (including over 100 rides in the Boeing PT-17 Stearman) to all types of people, who’s one commonality is the joy they found in flight. It is Kurt’s vision to bring this joy to those in desperate need of a new perspective on life. The suicide rate among veterans is a tragedy. If this venture can help even a few veterans feel appreciated and find a new lease on life then it will be a resounding success.
There are over 200,000 veterans in the Tidewater area of Williamsburg, VA and over 700,000 in the state; making it the ideal location to kick off this venture.