Youth in Aviation

David_L_Wilson

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Feb 2, 2009
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David L Wilson
The challenges we face today in getting the young to be involved with aviation is a daunting one. It’s hard enough to get them to put down their mobile phones and stop texting long enough to see the value in it. With XBOX 360 and Nintendo Wii we have even greater challenges. When we were young there was not a whole lot to do besides play outside and build model planes. We spent our summers fishing and playing cowboys and Indians. Attending an air show was a great thrill to us. The young people today have so many distractions that interesting them in a, difficult, expensive but worthwhile activity, such as flying is daunting. As a web community of pilots the burden falls on us to find the solution. Many of us could say we love the idea but do not have the time for it. We must make time if we are going to win the war against useless pursuits such as mentioned above. Being a pilot in of itself is a great self esteem builder. Many of our young people are lead down the rocky path of alcohol and drugs because of this. Teen pregnancy is becoming epidemic. These youth need something in their lives that they are not getting from society. Remember when you earned your wings? Was it not one of the greatest accomplishments of your life? Lets find a way to bring these lost youths into aviation.

www.youthinaviation.com



 
David,
Welcome to Pilots of America! Where abouts are you located? (Somewhere in the MidWest, right?) Can I presume that you are a Young Eagles pilot? Have you looked at the Civil Air Patrol? And heck, you could always write a book! :yes::)
 
Introducing youngsters to aviation is going to be a challenge for the foreseeable future, what with the economy the way it is. In this sort of economic climate, an expensive activity like flying is out of reach of most people, including many who could have afforded it a year or two ago. I'm also worried about the long-term effects on GA because FBOs and small airports also are feeling the pinch in a big way.

Consider my own case. I bought my girlfriend's 8-year-old granddaughter Kimberly an intro lesson last October. She loved it -- and she did pretty well at it, too. Her landing was better than most of mine, that's for sure. I would love to let her take a lesson at least once a month to keep her interested (or alternatively, to just to finish my own ticket -- I probably could do it in about eight hours -- and take her flying with me until she's old enough to start taking regular lessons).

But this recession hit my business pretty hard. Business is down more than 60 percent since last year this time. Even my good customers are behind in their payments (with some happy exceptions -- thanks Paul!).

Last year, I would just pull two grand in cash out of my pocket to replenish my pre-pay account at the FBO when it got low (they give a discount for pre-paying, and I don't like using credit cards if I can avoid it). This year, my money is going to subsidize loved ones who need help buying food and clothing, and and I'm chasing local pizzamakers selling them quicky Web sites at deep discounts because they pay in cash.

Sufficeth it to say that my "discretionary income" has pretty much vanished for the time being, and I don't think I'm alone in this situation. Finding money to fly, much less introduce others to aviation, is going to be a challenge for many of us for the foreseeable future.

-Rich
 
David,
Welcome to Pilots of America! Where abouts are you located? (Somewhere in the MidWest, right?) Can I presume that you are a Young Eagles pilot? Have you looked at the Civil Air Patrol? And heck, you could always write a book! :yes::)

Actually I have written a book. Check out www.dogsdontfly.com
 
David
Welcome; your topic is very well taken by this older pilot who grew up as an "Airport Kid" Sadly kids will have a very hard time gettng lessons this way for the various labor laws prevent this way of learning. I have found some EAA chapters are really good at getting kids involved in building kits and restoration of older planes. Right now I am working with a 6th grader buidling models of planes and boats. I hope this spring we will make the first upclose trip to the airport with his dad and walk the ramp and peek into hangers.

Thanks for the topic for after many years Iam still working on gettng kids into aviation,

John J Author of "John The Airport Kid"
 
Actually I have written a book. Check out www.dogsdontfly.com
Yes, I know. That's why I made the reference!:D:yes:

And on the original topic, we have an aviation museum at 1C5 that works with kids to build a flyable 3/4 scale Fokker.

http://www.illinoisaviationmuseum.org/aero_builders.htm said:
This group's mission has been to build a replica WWI ¾-scale Fokker E-III aircraft. The Aero Builders Club members are all high school age students primarily from the local Civil Air Patrol squadron and Harold Richards High School Aviation Club. Guided by Project Leaders Dan Christie and Chris O'Reilly, these young aviation enthusiasts' goal has been to turn the $4500 kit into a flyable aircraft. The replica is nearly complete and will soon be placed on display.
I believe that it has already flown.
 
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David
Welcome; your topic is very well taken by this older pilot who grew up as an "Airport Kid" Sadly kids will have a very hard time gettng lessons this way for the various labor laws prevent this way of learning. I have found some EAA chapters are really good at getting kids involved in building kits and restoration of older planes. Right now I am working with a 6th grader buidling models of planes and boats. I hope this spring we will make the first upclose trip to the airport with his dad and walk the ramp and peek into hangers.

Thanks for the topic for after many years Iam still working on gettng kids into aviation,

John J Author of "John The Airport Kid"

Its nice to hear about people like you John. It's going to take more than a few to turn the tide but I believe we must do it if our love dies on the vine so to speak. Keep up the good work.

P.S. Where can I get your book?
 
Its nice to hear about people like you John. It's going to take more than a few to turn the tide but I believe we must do it if our love dies on the vine so to speak. Keep up the good work.

P.S. Where can I get your book?


David

Thank you very much for your kind note. I guess I got my passion for aviation from talkinmg to dad and my uncle. My uncle flew in the Big One. Dad was an engineer working next to Republic Aircraft where the P 47s came from. They use to swap stories abut engines planes and early pilots. All of that got into my vains. So since I can remember I wanted to learn to fly. Not much money so I worked and begged to wash planes for lessons. I hope I can continue to help kids get into avaition.

Thank you again and thank you for linking up.

John
 
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