In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the EAA Air Academy in 2018, we’re featuring Air Academy graduates whose stories inspire and exemplify the impact of the program.
Scott Taylor, EAA Lifetime 310186, planned out a significant portion of his life as a grade school student, before he attended the EAA Air Academy. As part of a school project, he called a U.S. Air Force recruiter to ask about military ranks.
The conversation drifted to the Air Force Academy, where the recruiter explained to Scott that attendance is free for admitted students and includes a shot at becoming both an officer and a pilot.
Scott said that moment was when aviation became his passion.
“I remember after that I was telling everybody I was going to go to the Air Force Academy,” he said. “There were many moments along the way, like going to the [EAA] Air Academy that sort of put that dream to reality for me, but that’s my first memories of saying that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Scott’s love of flight was fostered by Tom Watkins, who was a member of the local EAA Chapter 67 in the Indianapolis area. Tom gave flights in his Cessna 172, an experience Scott remembers quite fondly.
The EAA Air Academy was an ideal next step for Scott, and thanks to his connection to Tom and help from a Chapter 67 scholarship, Scott was able to attend in 1988.
“It was just a huge leap to actually go to the Air Academy,” he said. “Aviators tend to be sort of an odd person out, it’s not a mainstream pastime. Some people are scared of it, others don’t understand aviation. To be able to go to a camp, probably 20, 25 kids, to be with other kids our same age and be able to know that they all shared this love of aviation and wonder and amazement about how things fly.”
Scott’s grandfather was another inspiration in his aviation pursuits. His grandfather was killed during World War II while serving as a bombardier on B-17s.
Soon after attending the Air Academy, Scott got an opportunity to make a very special trip to Europe.
“[My grandfather] is buried in the Netherlands, and I actually got to go visit his grave,” Scott said. “As a young high school kid, we had his picture on our wall, so that’s really where my inspiration came from was seeing his picture. He had his military headgear on and the radio headphones and that sort of thing. To be able to go to his grave and experience what I did in Oshkosh, and some of the warbirds there, that was just a special time in my life.”
Another special time in Scott’s life came more recently when, thanks to EAA Museum Programs Coordinator Chris Henry, he was able to fly on EAA’s B-17, Aluminum Overcast, in Indiana.
“Chris Henry, he said, ‘Hey we’re bringing the B-17 down, and we’d love to take you on a flight,’” Scott said. “So a few years ago I got to, and that was a huge lifetime dream of mine, to be able to fly on a B-17.”
Scott ended up following his dream and went from the EAA Air Academy to the Air Force Academy, and he credited his experience at the former with helping him both reach and succeed at the latter.
“I ended up being the class speaker at the [EAA] Academy,” he explained. “They pick one kid to give a speech in the Theater in the Woods, and I was chosen for that, so that demonstrated leadership amongst my peers of aviation. I know for sure that helped me get in the Air Force Academy.”
Although budget cuts meant pilot training spots were limited during his attendance at the Air Force Academy, Scott secured one and flew F-15Es for a decade, including time spent in England and as an instructor. Then he and his wife, who is also an Air Force pilot, transitioned to the Reserve to be closer to family in the Indianapolis area.
Although he’s since started flying for FedEx, Scott said his and his wife’s involvement with the Air Force is far from over.
“We’re still in the Air Force Reserve, so we mentor kids now that want to go to the Air Force Academy, and we also interview them and do formal evaluations on how we feel that they are either a fit for the academy or the academy is a good fit for them,” he said.
Scott also found time to play an important role in bringing the Red Bull Air Race to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2016 and 2017, with another race scheduled there in 2018.
After having his life in aviation kickstarted by an airplane ride in his youth, Scott now endeavors to give back as much as he can via mentorship and Young Eagles flights.
“It took a lot of luck and a lot of people investing in me,” Scott said. “I just try to take advantage of every opportunity, but there were certainly a lot of folks who poured their life into me, which is why I’m trying to do the same thing through the Young Eagles program and taking kids flying.”
If you or someone you know has an Air Academy story to share, e-mail us at twindisch@eaa.org.