Dan Norman prepares a banner for hanging in the Learn To Fly Center of the Member Village as preparation for the opening Monday. Photo by Dave Higdon

While EAA AirVenture Oshkosh attracts a lot of pilots, a significant number of visitors have always wanted to fly but for whatever reason—cost, confidence, time—never met that goal.

This year EAA and its affiliate the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) will unveil the Learn to Fly Center, a program to provide inspiration, information, guidance, and a community of support for people who want to pursue the dream of becoming a pilot.

"Our message to every prospective pilot is simple: It’s easier than you think!" said Master Flight Instructor Rusty Sachs, NAFI’s executive director. "Every pilot has to start somewhere, and there is no better place to discover the joy of learning to fly than at Oshkosh."

The Learn to Fly Center will feature certified flight instructors making presentations, answering questions, and discussing the steps, training, knowledge, and skills required to pursue the world’s most exhilarating pastime—flying for fun. Prospective pilots will get a head start, including their first ground-school session and logbook entry.

The Center, located in the South Tent at EAA Member Village, will also feature information about the sport pilot certificate, the EAA-led movement that significantly lowers the time commitment required to become a pilot, the cost of training, and the price of new aircraft.

Sport pilot training also applies toward more advanced certificates, so it is a great way to get started in aviation for anyone—even those who ultimately want to advance and eventually become commercial pilots. To facilitate the first step, FAA-authorized student sport pilot certificates (a $50 value) will be provided free of charge to EAA members at the Center.

Sachs encourages current pilots to grab a nonpilot friend and check out the Learn to Fly Center together. "Stop in and chat with the flight instructors about any aspect of flight training at any level of sophistication," he said. "And bring along an uninitiated friend who might be a mere spark of inspiration and a little encouragement away from getting started."

In addition to the instructional mini-forums and one-on-one discussions, the Center will provide printed materials on learning to fly, conduct prize giveaways, and host receptions with expert instructors and celebrity pilots.