The Embry Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach, Florida, was nearly devastated by two Christmas Day tornadoes that destroyed almost its entire fleet of training aircraft. But thanks to the aviation community and the Experimental Aircraft Association, the campus plans to be fully operational by January 16.

(In December) the Experimental Aircraft Association sent out a special e-Hotline to inform members of the disaster and ask for assistance in replacing the school's training fleet through leasing and rental arrangements.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Frank Ayers, Embry Riddle flight department chairman. "The morning after the EAA e-mail came out, I probably had 100 responses at 9 a.m., 50 of which were from EAA members, and it was like that for two to three days. We're just very glad to have EAA's help, and we were really moved by that response.

"Because of the efforts of EAA as well as our friends from Cessna, who went out to their Cessna Pilot Centers and their dealer network, we're going to have a full fleet on the 16th, which is downright nothing short of amazing."

Ayers said all 40 of the airplanes that were destroyed are in the process of being replaced, plus they'll have some extra aircraft in reserve.

Read the full article at the Experimental Aircraft Association's Web site.