'Flying Saves Lives' is theme of state aviation art contest

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Since 1986, the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics has sponsored an annual Aviation Art Contest for the benefit of our youth. The program goal is to motivate and encourage young people to become more familiar with and participate in aeronautics, engineering, math and science. There are three age categories of contestants: 6-9, 10-13 and 14-17 for boys and girls.

The 2014 theme is "FLYING SAVES LIVES". Today, helicopters fly rural accident victims to far away hospitals; organs are packed in ice and flown, in the nick of time, to save dying patients; pilots use planes and helicopters to fight large fires; and relief agencies transport food and water to starving and thirsty people around the globe. Flight has given us the ability to help those who could never be helped before. This is an excellent opportunity for our youth to grab their favorite artist's tools and create a poster celebrating their thoughts about how "FLYING SAVES LIVES."

Entries for the contest need to be submitted to the Department of Aeronautics and postmarked by January 17, 2014. An awards ceremony will be held in Lincoln during April 2014, recognizing state, national and international winning students for their accomplishments. The winning art will be displayed for everyone to enjoy as well as numerous aircraft on static display and refreshments. For more information and an entry brochure contact David Morris at 402-471-2371 or e-mail David.Morris@nebraska.gov