FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Date: March 13, 2008

Contact: Laurie Martin, Director of Development & Communications

(802) 468-2121

LightHawk Receives Cessna Donation from Gund Family

Lander, Wyo. ― The Cessna 207 owned by the late Greg Gund recently was donated by his family to LightHawk. Greg Gund had long been involved in conservation efforts in Costa Rica and his family sought a way to have the airplane continue Greg’s legacy by donating it to LightHawk, which has been using general aviation aircraft for its environmental work in Central America for more than 20 years.

LightHawk Executive Director Rudy Engholm expressed his deep appreciation to the Gund family for making a very valuable contribution that will serve the organization for many years to come. “Knowing what this airplane means to the family, LightHawk is deeply touched that the Gunds entrusted our organization to carry on the work of protecting the environment in Central America through the unique perspective of flight.”

The Cessna 207 has a number of modifications, including vortex generators to reduce the stall speed and allow it to safely operate into short runways, which will make it extremely valuable for LightHawk’s conservation work in Central America. In addition, wingtip fuel tanks ─ installed to extend the range of the airplane when Greg Gund flew it around the world ─ will aid operations into remote areas where aviation fuel is not available.

LightHawk Board Member Rick Durden, who accepted the airplane at a small ceremony at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, Calif., echoed Engholm’s sentiments, noting, “This is an extremely capable airplane, especially well suited for the needs of environmental aviation in challenging areas of the world. Because of LightHawk’s corps of more than 140 volunteer pilots, it will be put to work immediately.”

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