PILOT'S PROMISE: IF TEENS BUILD IT, HE'LL FLY IT

Started by A.Member, December 01, 2008, 07:55:32 PM

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A.Member

http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/01/1685159.aspx

QuoteMission: Build an airplane.

Time allotted: 10 weeks.

Experience required: None.

Of course, all aspects of the plane construction were supervised, but the learning curve was steep.

"Electronics, avionics, basically the whole nine yards within one week," said King.

Novices in the world of aviation were soon talking about rivets, horizontal stabilizers, fuel tanks, engines. They were wearing safety glasses while handling drills, paints and rivet guns. As days turned into weeks, dreams became reality.

Their mentor was 24-year old Barrington Irving, who made history in 2007 by becoming the youngest person ever, as well as the first black pilot, to fly solo around the world in his plane called "Inspiration." He founded Experience Aviation to inspire young people to identify and pursue their dreams, as he has done.

Now, this is an AE project to be proud of.  Great story.  Good on Mr. Irving.  While it wasn't a CAP activity, hopefully, if can inspire some of our AEO's.

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

BillB

Back WIWAC, a FBO in St. Petersburg, FL donated a Piper Cub to CAP. Only problem, no fabric and the engine needed total overhaul.  One of the A&E (now A&P) told the cadets that they could build the plane inside of two months working on weekends, then dared them to do it. At the end of two months the cadets gaxed at their recovered, painted and overhauled engine J-3 with pride. All the materials for the project were donated by companies at two local airports, and it was the first J-3 in the area to have an aircraft radio installed.
The advantage to CAP was the cadets were given flight instruction and over 50% of the cadets soloed. Several went on to earn a PPL.
Gil Robb Wilson # 19
Gil Robb Wilson # 104