By Jessica Schaefer, EAA 1284501
Since 1992, more than 2.3 million youths have taken their first ride in an airplane through the EAA Young Eagles program. At the Wausau Downtown Airport in Wausau, Wisconsin, dedicated pilots and staff have been making dreams come true for even longer. The Young Eagles program is open to youth ages 8-17, but for one area youth, that seemed like too long to wait.
Hazel Schaefer turns 8 years old this March, but she already has an impressively full logbook of flights in all kinds of aircraft. “My favorite airplane is a Waco QCF-2, which is a biplane, and my favorite one is named Rosie,” Hazel said. Pilot Valerie Thal-Slocum gave Hazel a ride in her bright red 1931 QCF-2 last spring. Val’s passion for aviation and that little red biplane taught Hazel a quick and important lesson: “Being brave and making connections is worth it,” said Hazel. “When I talk to pilots, I make friends. They’re not my age, but we have something in common: flying!”
While Hazel waits to be old enough to make the official World’s Largest Logbook of Young Eagles, she has a goal. “My goal was to get 8 hours of flight time before I turned 8,” she said. Asked how it’s going, she’ll pull out her logbooks and show anyone who will listen. She’s past her goal and is eager for her next flight.
Winter in Wisconsin means far less time for flying, plus Hazel’s most-flown airplane was in for an annual inspection. “You can’t just pull over in the air if something goes wrong,” said pilot and Wausau’s EAA Chapter President Dennis Seitz, EAA 1217538. “We have to make sure everything with the airplane is safe and we have to check it regularly.” Hazel considers Dennis one of her pilot friends, and her logbook testifies to their shared love of flying.
“I have a lot of flights with Dennis in his Cessna 172. I really like flying the Super Chicken with Dennis, and sometimes I get to fly too,” she said. Dennis’ 172 Skyhawk, affectionately dubbed the Super Chicken shows up on quite a few rows of Hazel’s logbook.
When up in the air, Hazel has her hands on the yoke, following Dennis’ instructions over the headset. “Push down more, there you go, keep the horizon in the same spot. Don’t climb. You’re doing great.”
It’s an opportunity many adults still dream of, and for Hazel, it’s a dream come true. “I have a long time before I can fly,” she said, with the minimum age for flying a powered aircraft being 17 years old. “But that’s okay because I’m learning a lot and having a lot of fun.”
In the winter downtime, Hazel is working with local airframe & powerplant mechanic and inspector Josh Smith, EAA 1562187, at the Learn Build Fly Education Center, helping build the nonprofit’s Wittman Legacy homebuilt aircraft.
“This aircraft was built entirely by volunteers and with the mission to teach youth and the community about aviation and engineering,” said Learn Build Fly president and cofounder Dave Conrad, EAA 206314. “Every Tuesday night we have a build night here, and it’s an open door for the community to come and learn everything from computer-aided design to small engines to flight. We offer a ton of opportunities and hope the young people will take off with it.”
And at Wausau Downtown Airport, it’s obvious they’re doing just that. Hazel’s a shining example of a kid dreaming big, and the support system that keeps that dream alive.
“Hazel will go far, whatever she does,” said Dave. “We’re watching her, and you can bet we’ll be there to do whatever we can to support her. If they come with a drive and passion to learn, we’ll help give them the opportunities. We want to see these young people do big things.”
Opening that opportunity early, especially to young girls, is key to retaining them. A 2017 survey by Microsoft estimates that girls lose interest in STEM by age 15. According to the American Association of University Women, “If girls grow up in an environment that enhances their success in science and math with spatial skills training, they are more likely to develop their skills as well as their confidence and consider a future in a STEM field.” Hanging around the airport, it turns out, is a good place to start.
Learn Build Fly and EAA Chapter 640 partner in the work they’re doing, not just for the future of youth but also for the community. The skills gained will build tomorrow’s local workforce. “It’s all about community,” said Dave, “and we’re thankful for the donors and grants that have allowed us to do this in a big way. They see the benefit already and they’re going to keep seeing that as these young people grow and are able to intern and then enter the workforce. They’re capable, they’ve got experience, they’re driven.”
And like seven-year-old Hazel, they’re reaching for the sky.
Learn more about Learn Build Fly and EAA Chapter 640 by visiting their websites at www.learnbuildfly.org or eaa640.com