By Mike Land, EAA 418387, EAA 932 Young Eagles Coordinator
EAA Chapter 932, located at Galt Airport in Greenwood, Illinois, recently sponsored its second Build and Fly program for 10 future aviators ages 8 through 17. Participants built their own model airplane over the winter months, learned about aviation and how airplanes fly, and tested their skills on a flight simulator.
In 2022, the chapter successfully completed its first Build and Fly program, engaging 10 kids to build the SIG EKadet LT40 kit. In 2023, it was decided to build the Flight Test Tutor, as it allowed each kid to build his or her own airplane and take it home at the end of the program. The chapter sponsored the kits, tools, and hardware necessary to complete the builds.
The chapter collaborated with the Chain of Lakes Eagles RC club in Ringwood, Illinois, to provide guidance for the kids to understand the building and flying process. Several members of the Eagles club participated in bi-weekly building and information sessions. Fundamentals of flight were taught, along with RC flight techniques and safety procedures. Also discussed were full-scale flying and different types of careers in the aviation industry.
The students worked diligently through the weeks of construction, learning new construction techniques, painting, and finishing skills from the instructors. They learned about construction safety and flying skills for flying their airplanes.
Upon completion of building of their own airplanes, the kids then brought their creations to the Chain of Lakes flying field where their airplanes were checked over to make sure that they were fit for flying, and the kids worked directly with instructors from the club to fly their airplanes, along with the EKadet. The instructors taught the kids necessary safety and flying skills to allow each airplane to make successful flights.
A big part of EAA’s mission is to raise interest in young people in all aviation topics, from model airplanes to full-scale flight and also careers in aviation in the future. Chapter 932’s effort is to bring kids and adults into the world of aviation at several levels, through Young Eagles flights and model building, various informational and flying programs, and community outreach to raise awareness of the chapter and Galt Airport.
