6 January 2007
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, based at Daytona Beach in Florida, is set to be back up and fully running by the middle of January, after devastating tornados ripped through the campus on Christmas Day, damaging and destroying 40 aircraft. The aircraft damage is estimated at $11 million.
Since the news broke, pilot organisations, clubs and individuals have rallied round to help rebuild the fleet, and the University now expects to be back up to operating strength – and more – by 16 January.
Among those who have helped, either by setting up funds or with other measures, are the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association – roughly equivalent to the UK’s PFA), Cessna and other flight schools.
The school is reported to have had an order in with Cessna for 29 aircraft, to be delivered in the summer and Cessna is doing what it can to push those aircraft up the order list.
