Don Campbell, a pilot for more than 30-years, took several members of the press thousands of feet in the air Thursday morning. He pointed out different landmarks and roads where the Amgen Tour of California will be held Sunday. The roughly 30-minute flight passed over Auburn, Grass Valley and Nevada City.

The number of pilots in the air has been free-falling in the last few years, he said. Campbell, Sierra Vista Aviation founder and flight instructor, said 70 percent of flight students worldwide don't finish their flight training.

"It boils down to the economics," he said, adding that completing pilot training can cost up to $7,500. Add that to the cost of fuel at $4.95 per gallon and the cost of a new plane at $260,000, and you've got a hefty bill.

So the folks at Sierra Vista Aviation and Samson Motorworks, creator of the Switchblade Multi-Mode Vehicle (flying motorcycle), decided to participate in the first international "Learn to Fly Day" being held Saturday. Sponsored by the 160,000-member Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the day was created to "increase interest in flying and to encourage the aviation community to get others involved in aviation," according to its website.

But don't get the name wrong. "Experimental aircraft" are not all like the Samson Motorworks flying motorcycle (though it is an experimental aircraft). The term refers to the Experimental Airworthiness Certificate given by the FAA, because they are homebuilt kit planes, or ex-military - as opposed to company-built planes, which instead receive the Standard Airworthiness Certificate.

Homebuilt and kit planes are becoming more popular, said Campbell. Samson Motorworks is depending on that trend to become a viable kit plane manufacturer, while trying to make flying more accessible.

"It's going to make flying more approachable," said Martha Bousfield of Bousfield Motorworks, wife of flying motorcycle inventor Sam Bousfield. She added that the Switchblade Multi-Mode Vehicle will save money because it only costs $80,000, saves you from renting a hangar for storage and gets around 50 mpg on the highway in motorcycle mode.

She also mentioned that the flying motorcycle could enable you to beat local traffic by flying to other small airports in Stockton, Lodi, Woodland, Sacramento, Auburn, Placerville, Grass Valley and Lincoln.

A quarter-scale model of the plane will be available Saturday as will its inventor, who will be answering questions about it. There will also be a special price for an introductory flight at $34.95, a flight simulator and Sierra Vista staff will answer questions about learning to fly.

So what's the best part of flying?

"It's the look on a student's face when they first fly solo," said Tim Hinkle, Sierra Vista general manager and flight instructor. "The instructor signs off and they're scared, but excited and happy."

Sierra Vista Aviation is located at the Auburn Airport, 2410 Rickenbacker Way. International "Learn to Fly Day" will be celebrated from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Auburn Airport with muffins and juice in the morning and hot dogs, chips and soda in the afternoon. Free flights will given to youth ages 7 to 17 courtesy of the local EAA Young Eagles program.

Sacramento Executive Airport (6151 Freeport Blvd. Suite 151) and McClellan Airport (3028 Peacekeeper Way, McClellan) will also be giving free seminars on flight instruction from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Photographs:
1. Auburn Airport
2. Don Campbell in plane
3. Don Campbell
4. Instrument panel
5. Martha Bousfield
6. The Aerocar in the Auburn Airport

Photographs 1 and 2 by Jonathan Mendick, 3-6 credit Kati Garner