thebahamasweekly.com - Bahamas Out Island Students Art Work Receive International Exposure at AOPA Summit

Presentation. Rhudi Kerr, L.N.Coakley High School , Abaco, present her winning chock to Tom Horne, AOPA Editor at Larrge. Greg Rolle, Chief Aviation Specialist, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, center.

Fort Lauderdale, FL – General Aviation chocks artistically designed by students from the Out Islands of The Bahamas, received international exposure when they were featured as a give-away to pilots attending the upcoming National Summit of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), in Tampa Florida, November 5-7^th, 2009.

During the month of September, the Aviation Department of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, teamed up with its tourist offices in Exuma, Abaco, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama to produce unique chocks for aircraft. The program was held in conjunction with the Junior Achievers program of various Out Island schools and among the objectives of the program was to expose Bahamians to aviation business opportunities.”

Various Out Island high schools participated in the creative design contest for the aviation chocks and four winners were selected. Each of the winners were presented a trip to Tampa, Florida, to attend the AOPA National Summit where the winning creative hand painted chocks will be showcased, as a premium give-a-way item to the private pilots in attendance.

The signature chocks will highlight the uniqueness of The Bahamas and the diversity of the islands. Additionally, the some 1,000 chocks given away to the pilots in attendance at the show, will serve as an advertising item with The Islands of The Bahamas on one side and one of the Aviation Department’s preferred gateway FBO’s on the other.

The Bahamas team will also distribute the chocks to arriving pilots at AOPA designated airports namely, Tampa Executive Airport, and Peter O. Knight. The Islands of The Bahamas will receive additional exposure as some of the chocks will be displayed at wheels of all aircraft at the Static Display.

The students also served as young ambassadors for The Bahamas, bringing much awareness to our Island Destination, and symbolizing why we say, “It’s Better in The Bahamas”

AOPA President’s Craig Fuller looks on as Tremeice Martin, of St. Francis de Sale Catholic School, Abaco, explain the art work on a chock that she designed

From left to right Leonard Stuart, BTO; Thierry Pouille, Air Journey, member Bahamas Aviation Council; Katrina Bradshaw, EAA Director; Greg Rolle, BTO; Elizabeth Vance, Stella Maris Resort and Co-Chair- Bahamas Aviation Council; Tony Fernandez, Fernandez Bay Village, Cat Island.

From left to right Rosalyn Pinder, Grand Bahama BTO; Bill Garghill, Banyan Air Service – Bahamas Gateway FBO; Greg Rolle, BTO; Eddie Thomas, Sunland High School- Grand Bahama; Tom Hines, AOPA Editor in Chief; Brad Elliott, Showalter Flying Service – Bahamas Gateway FBO; Bruce Woodrell, Banyan Air Service- Bahamas Gateway FBO.